Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1) (35 page)

“I–I’ve got to go to bed. I’m so tired I can hardly stand it.”

Sam stepped around me and swung the door open. Light flooded in, and I saw his eyes sparkle with unshed tears. I quickly turned my head. Seeing his pain hurt me deeply inside.

“I’ll be going out early in the morning to Ben’s,” he said in a controlled voice. “I won’t see you before I leave. In fact, I may not see you much at all in the next few days.”

“I understand. Good night.” I’d wanted to say so much more, but instead I fled to my room, confused by the emotions coursing through me. Ever since coming to Harmony, my thoughts and feelings had been jumbled and confused. In Wichita I’d felt that I knew who I was—what I wanted. But here ... Here everything was different. It was like someone had torn me into little pieces, gathered them up, and thrown them into the air. As they drifted back to earth, all the parts that were Gracie fell into a different picture—one I didn’t recognize.

In the hallway outside my room I found Buddy waiting for me. I opened the door, and he ran up on the bed, turned around a couple of times, and curled up in a ball. I changed my clothes, crawled into bed, and pulled him up close to me. Then I stared up at the ceiling for quite a while, feeling strangely unsettled. Besides my jumbled emotions about Sam, something else nagged at me. Something I’d missed. I chewed on it for quite some time without success. Eventually I fell into a troubled sleep.

The next few days passed quickly. As Sam had predicted, I hardly saw him. When he came home late at night, he was so tired he didn’t feel much like talking. I spent the large part of each day giving Sweetie a hand in the orchards. We pruned the trees, which was difficult work, and placed small balls of nitrogen around the bottom of the trunks to fertilize them. By the time we came in for supper, I was exhausted. After we ate, I’d sit in the rocking chair on the front porch and wait for Sam to come home. Usually, I fell asleep before he finally pulled into the driveway.

I’d gone over to my uncle’s several times, but each time I’d been told there was nothing I could do there. It didn’t take me long to realize that God was doing a special work, and I needed to leave the men alone so He could complete it. In only a few days, Gabriel Ketterling seemed like a different person. Sam and John had bonded as if they were old friends. It wasn’t unusual to hear them all laughing together. By Wednesday afternoon I’d completely abandoned my daily visits. Even Mary seemed to realize that something unique was happening. She’d drop off lunch and leave immediately, hardly speaking to anyone.

Thursday afternoon I picked up Hannah and we drove downtown. I brought along a couple of sketch pads that I’d thrown into the car in case I found time to draw while I was in Harmony. I remember thinking my short vacation would be boring and I’d need something to do. Boy, I’d sure missed the mark there. Together Hannah and I sketched the outside of the café, Menlo’s Bakery, and Ruth’s shop. Hannah wanted to add someone sitting on the empty bench in front of the café, so I roughed in a figure we could detail later, talking to her about how to add dimension to her drawing. I also taught her about using proper perspective. She soaked up my words like they were water and she was a dry sponge.

We had a wonderful time even though we were interrupted so many times it was a miracle we got anything done. Mrs. Menlo brought us warm macadamia nut cookies straight from the oven, along with a cup of coffee for me and a glass of chocolate milk for Hannah. Ruth ran across the street to see what we were doing. She oohed and aahed over our sketches until Esther Crenshaw stuck her head out the front door of her shop and hollered, “If you don’t mind, Ruth, I’d rather not live the rest of my life waiting for you to check me out!”

Hannah and I giggled as Ruth jogged back across the street yelling, “Esther, why don’t you just keep your silly wig on? I’m not on the earth just to serve you, you know!” Two of Hannah’s friends stopped by to find out what she was up to. Hannah introduced Leah, a vivacious young girl with milk-chocolate brown hair, rosy cheeks, and a glint of mischievousness in her deep doelike eyes. The second girl, Jessica, hung back and stared at me as if she’d never seen anyone like me before. Her dishwater hair hung in thin strands below her dingy prayer covering. One of the ribbons from her cap was missing, and the ill-fitting dress she wore stretched tightly across her chubby body. Leah’s face sparkled with life while Jessica’s features seemed lost and faded in her sallow skin. Hannah treated both girls with the same enthusiasm, which seemed to help Jessica come out of her shell a little. The two girls stayed only a few minutes. A rather large woman I’d never seen before stepped out of the café across the street and called for them to hurry up if they wanted pie. That was all it took for the girls to say good-bye to Hannah and take off across the street as if the pie would disappear if they didn’t eat it right away.

Almost everyone who strolled down the boardwalk stopped to watch us and ask questions. Our venture proved to be a great way to create a successful social occasion, but we didn’t get as far with our sketches as I’d hoped. We made a date to meet again on Saturday morning to finish what we’d begun. I hoped some of Harmony’s business owners and residents would be at home with their families so we could get some work done.

Friday night when Sam walked in the front door, he informed me that they would probably be finished with the house by Saturday afternoon. I sat at the kitchen table across from him while Sweetie fixed him a late supper.

“I want to do something special to thank everyone,” I said. “Do you think we could have some kind of dinner or something?”

Sweetie, who overheard us talking, interrupted Sam’s attempt at a response. “How ’bout some of the women and I get together and plan a big picnic in the park Monday evening? There’s plenty of room there, and folks could bring their families.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful. Do you think the men would enjoy it?”

Sweetie’s coarse laugh broke loose. “I think anytime them hungry men get a chance to chow down, they receive it with gusto.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Grace,” Sam said. He cranked his head around and looked at Sweetie who was busy making him a sandwich. “Hey, be sure to get Levi involved in the party, will you? He helped us out at the house the first day and a half, but then he dropped out. Said he’s not feeling well. I’m a little worried about him.”

“Sure,” she said. “I’ll call him first thing in the morning. Make sure he’s okay. You know, Levi’s not as young as he used to be. Maybe he started feelin’ bad tryin’ to keep up with all you young men.”

Sam shook his head. “Maybe, but Abel’s about his age and seems to be doing okay.” He shrugged. “Hope we didn’t do anything to offend him.”

“Oh, pshaw,” Sweetie said with a wave of her hand. “Levi and I are two ducks in the same pond. You can’t offend us for nothin’.”

I raised an eyebrow and smiled at Sam. Sweetie got offended at least four times a day at something or someone.

“I’d sure like to see Gabe come to the picnic and bring Sarah,” Sam said, changing the subject. “She could use a friend.” He yawned loudly. “I almost forgot to tell you,” he said to me when he’d finished. “Gabe’s been asking about you. Something about taking some kind of lessons from Sarah? Said he told you no when you first asked, but he’s changed his mind.”

I clapped my hands together. “Oh, how wonderful! She does the most beautiful wood-block prints. I’ve heard of the technique, but I’d never seen it done. I’d love it if she’d teach me before I leave. Of course, I’d pay her for her time.”

He nodded. “Honestly, Gabe and Sarah could use the money. They don’t have much. But I don’t think he’s got money on his mind as much as he finally wants to reach out to people.” He yawned again. “I’ve had a really bad attitude about him for years. Turns out I really like the guy.”

“He’s had some tough breaks,” Sweetie said. “Tends to make a body careful. That girl’s all he’s got left. I think he’s feared he might lose her, too, and have nothin’.”

“Well, he’s sure changed.”

Sweetie stopped what she was doing and stared hard at her nephew. “Folks don’t usually change in a couple of days, Sam. He might be a-comin’ out of his shell, but I wouldn’t take it as some kind of miracle transformation. He’s still got a lotta bitterness inside him. God help any man that tries to touch his daughter.”

Sam shrugged. “I don’t know about that. I just know he’s talking to us and seems to really be enjoying our company.”

“All I can say is I hope you’re right.” She turned back to her meal preparations while I thought about her mention of some man trying to approach Sarah. I had to wonder just how close John and Sarah had become. It was clear they’d been intentionally hiding their relationship. What would happen when Gabriel found out?

“Well, it will be interesting to see if Gabe accepts the invitation for Monday night,” Sam said. “It’s a purely social invitation. If he and Sarah show up, I’d say we’ve come a long way this week.”

I laughed. “I can hardly believe you’re calling him Gabe. Was that your idea or his?”

“Actually, Abel started it. But Gabe seemed to like it. And honestly, it fits him.”

“So, do I have any hope you’ll call me Gracie someday?”

Sweetie plopped a huge ham sandwich in front of Sam with a side of homemade potato salad. His eyes widened and he sighed with pleasure. “I love the name Grace. God’s grace has always been important in my life. Does it bother you?” Without waiting for an answer, he bowed his head, said a quick prayer, and took a big bite of his sandwich.

“I guess not. It’s just odd to be called Grace instead of Gracie.”

Sam chewed and swallowed. “Why? It’s your real name, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “Yes, it’s my real name.” I thought about informing him that there was nothing wrong with the name Gracie
,
but it was obvious Sam was lost in sandwich heaven and wasn’t in a listening mood. Besides, for some reason I liked hearing him call me Grace.

“You seem to be getting along with John, too,” I interjected.

Sam chewed silently. I couldn’t interpret the look on his face. Finally, he said, “Turns out we have more in common than I thought.” He shook his head. “I think we’ll end up being pretty good friends.”

I started to ask him what he meant about having something in common with John when Sweetie interrupted me.

“I need to drive into Council Grove in the morning.” She pointed a finger at Sam. “I’ll drop you off at Benny’s before I head out. What time do you figger you’ll be done?”

He shrugged and swallowed. “Like I said, sometime in the afternoon. But don’t worry about me. I’ll walk.”

“Okay. I’ll check on you when I get back. I’m gettin’ some groceries for Ida, too. I’ll run them to her place and then swing by to see how you all are doin’ before I come home. And on the way home, I thought I might stop by Bernie’s in Sunrise and pick up some of them chocolate milkshakes you like so much. How many men do you think will be a-workin’ tomorrow?”

Sam chuckled. “If word gets out about those milkshakes, we’ll have all the help we can use—and more. How many milkshakes can you carry?”

She grinned at him. “I’ll have ’em put the shakes in them big carryout boxes. It’ll keep ’em from fallin’ over on the way home. You figger twenty will be enough?”

“I think that would be perfect. Between Mary and you, I’m liable to actually gain weight working on Grace’s house.”

There it was again.
Grace’s house.
Seemed like everyone was beginning to see Benjamin’s house as mine. Even me. I could have corrected Sam’s choice of words, but since he’d been working so hard to save the house, it didn’t seem important. The effort being made to repair the fire damage meant the world to me. In fact, every time I drove past the house and saw the men laboring in the afternoon heat, tears sprang to my eyes.

“I take it these chocolate milkshakes are something special?”

Sam snorted. “I’ll bet you don’t have anything like them in Wichita.”

“I don’t know. Wichita has lots of places with great shakes.”

Sam pointed his fork at his aunt. “Pick up one for Grace, will you? She needs to experience a Bernie’s milkshake for herself.”

Sweetie brought us both a slice of apple pie and ice cream. “I’ll do it. You got a treat a-comin’, girlie.”

I winced at hearing “girlie” again. I kept hoping that particular moniker would eventually fade away, but it appeared it was going to follow me around, much like “Snicklefritz.” However, with a mouthful of Sweetie’s warm, delicious pie, I had to admit it didn’t sting quite as much. As soon as we finished eating, Sam headed to bed.

When Buddy and I woke up Saturday morning, Sam and Sweetie had already gone. I made some toast, took a shower, and headed downtown to meet Hannah. All the way into town, that odd sense that I’d forgotten something persisted. I hadn’t mentioned it to Sam, because at this point it was nothing more than a feeling. But I couldn’t shake it. When I pulled up in front of the meat market, I found Emily and Hannah waiting for me.

“Good morning,” I called out as I got out of the car and grabbed the sketch pads. “Wonderful weather, isn’t it?”

They both agreed. I’d just begun to tell them about the picnic when I heard the sound of hoofbeats coming toward us. I turned to see Ida’s buggy racing down the street. She came from the direction of the church.

“Whoa, Zebediah,” she hollered as she pulled up next to us. Ida pointed at me. “Gracie, I need your help.”

I put the sketch pads down on the bench and hurried over to the elderly woman whose face was red with emotion. “What in the world is going on? Are you okay?”

She shook her head. “It is not me. It is Levi. Something is wrong. You have got to find him.”

Emily came up behind us. “What are you talking about, Ida? What’s wrong with Levi?”

Ida shook her head. “I do not know, but I am afraid for him.” She took a deep breath and tried to calm her trembling voice. “I was at the cemetery—putting flowers on Herman’s grave. I saw Levi there—which is not unusual because his folks are buried there. But he was wild-eyed and talking out of his head. Something about God’s judgment and how he had to find forgiveness. I tried to talk to him, but he just stared at me like I was not there at all.”