A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (17 page)

“I'm proud of you. Who knows? Maybe Santa will bring you something special, since you've been such a good girl and it's so close to Christmas.”

“I guess you could say I did something good in the nick of time.”

He winced. “Beverly, are you making Saint Nicholas puns?”

“Maybe.” Grabbing a cookie, she said, “That was a good one. Ain't so?”

Lines formed around the corners of his eyes as he smiled at her. “No, it was not a good one. At all.” Then he winked. “But it was clever.”

“I'll take clever,” she said with a smile.

E
ric had been pacing in front of the Orange Blossom Inn for almost an hour.

Beverly knew because she'd been watching him from the window. Over and over, he walked back and forth like a soldier on parade, sunglasses covering his eyes, his cell phone in hand.

Twice she'd considered walking out to keep him company, but he looked so lost in thought she decided to give him his space. She knew what had him in knots, anyway. His brother was due to arrive at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in just a couple of hours. And though Eric had invited him and was excited to see him, she knew there was also a
lingering bit of worry and doubt surrounding the upcoming visit.

She'd experienced those emotions herself.

As she continued to watch him pace, Beverly noticed that he had dressed up for the occasion. Well, as much as Eric liked to dress up. He was still wearing his usual faded jeans, but instead of his favorite flip-flops, he had tan loafers on his feet. He'd also replaced his usual T-shirt with a loose-fitting linen shirt in pale gray. With the haircut he'd gotten yesterday and the close shave that morning, Eric looked very handsome. Very clean-cut, too, she thought. So different from his usual relaxed appearance.

Remembering the faint scent of aftershave that had lingered in the kitchen after he'd gotten his coffee, she knew he smelled good, too.

He was so very appealing.

“How's Eric doing?” Sadie asked from behind her. “Is he still fretting?”

Beverly turned around in surprise. “Sadie, goodness! You startled me! Where in the world did you come from?”

She smiled. “I decided to come in through your kitchen door when I saw how deep in thought Eric was out front.”

“That was probably a smart decision. He is in a bit of a daze.”

“That's to be expected, I suppose,” Sadie mused. “Visits can be stressful experiences. Especially when they are from long-lost brothers.”

Beverly blinked in surprise. “How did you know Eric's brother was coming in today?”

“Word gets around, dear,” she said in her airy way. “You two have been quite the topic of conversation, you see. Everyone is wondering what's going to happen next.”

Beverly could only imagine what gossip had been stirred up around the two of them. She supposed she couldn't blame the speculation. Their relationship was complicated and at times a bit volatile. It had certainly never been boring!

And over the past couple of days, their relationship had shifted again. Their friendship had become far closer. Though she wouldn't exactly say they were dating, they certainly had moved beyond carefully circling each other—which had seemed to be the hallmark of their association so far.

Even though Beverly remained by the window watching Eric walk back and forth, Sadie made herself at home. Sitting down in the center of the couch, Sadie crossed her legs, taking care to smooth the dark green fabric of her dress as she did so. “Everything looks pretty in here, Beverly. Even the Christmas tree.”

Beverly glanced over at the next set of windows to where the tree stood decorated with hundreds of white lights. “I must admit that while I would never have bought a tree, I have enjoyed staring at its beauty in the evenings. I'll miss it when it's gone.”

“I expect so.” Sadie inhaled deeply. “It makes the room smell fresh and lovely. As do the cinnamon-scented candles.”

Beverly glanced at the display of red candles she'd set out just yesterday. “At last, it feels like Christmas is about to come. And just in time, too. I can hardly believe that it's Christmas Eve!”

Sadie grinned. “I'm surprised you're not in the kitchen preparing everything for tomorrow's meal.”

“I've already made the egg strata and cinnamon rolls for tomorrow's breakfast. The guests staying here will have that, then head to the parade. Eric and I have decided to simply bake a ham and offer a few side dishes later for Jack. It's just going to be the three of us since I never make suppers for the guests.”

“I'm going to Winnie's
haus
. She's hosting supper for fourteen.”

Beverly whistled low. “I do enjoy having a lot of people over, but this month has been so hectic, I am thankful we're keeping things simple.”

“I'm sure you are glad of that.” Looking beyond Beverly, Sadie smiled. Then she stood up. “Well, I think it's time I was going.”

“So soon?” Beverly had enjoyed simply visiting with her friend.

“Eric is coming up the sidewalk. I do believe he's come lookin' for you,” she said cryptically as she opened the front door and stepped outside. “Merry Christmas, Eric!” she said before walking down to her house.

“Same to you, Sadie,” he called out as he walked up the front steps.

Beverly met him at the door. “Hi,” she said. “So, are you ready to come in for a while?”

He shook his head. Looking a bit like a child getting ready to go to the circus, he said, “It's time for me to go to the airport.”

She smiled. “
Wunderbaar
. Let me get my purse and a light sweater and I'll be ready to go.”

“There's no need for that.”

She tilted her head to one side. “You don't think I'll need my sweater?”

“No. I mean, you don't have to come.”

What did that mean? Was he trying to tell her that he didn't want her with him? She wondered if this was another one of those statements where the meaning and the intended message were at cross purposes. “I would like to come with you, if you don't mind.”

“I don't mind, but, well, I have to warn you that Jack is a little rough around the edges.”

She smiled. “I've realized lately that we all are a little rough around the edges, Eric. I wouldn't want him any other way. I promise, I just want to be there for you. It would mean a lot to me if you'd let me come.”

His whole bearing relaxed. “I'd love for you to be there. Rough edges and all.”

Feeling pleased with herself, she rushed to her room to get her purse and light white cotton cardigan to wear over her bright blue dress, then carefully made sure the cabinet holding the lockbox was secure. Finally, she locked the front door. Her guests each had their own keys to let themselves in if they returned before she and Eric did.

Eric was standing on the porch, his car keys in hand. “Ready?”

“Very ready.”

“I don't know if you noticed, but I'm kind of nervous.”

“I noticed.”

“Do you think that's strange? I mean, he is my brother.”

“Eric, you've witnessed me being nervous about most everything over the last couple of months. I'm actually a little glad that you are nervous about this upcoming reunion. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one that gets tense about meeting relatives.”

He laughed. “I'm glad my stressing out has made you feel better, Bev. Anything for you.”

They continued their easy conversation the whole way to the airport. She teased him about his fancy loafers and he made her tell him stories about growing up on an Amish farm in Sugarcreek. Later, they lapsed into a comfortable silence as they stood in the greeting area of the airport terminal.

As the minutes ticked by, Eric kept looking at the monitors, glancing at the screen on his smartphone, and jangling his keys. Beverly had never seen him so agitated. Truly, if she hadn't witnessed it herself, she would have never guessed that he could ever be anything but his confident, unflappable self.

Not knowing how to ease his mind—or maybe because she could truly relate to what he was feeling—she didn't try to offer any words of wisdom. Sometimes what she needed the most was simply a friend to stand beside her. That meant more than meaningless assurances.

“Hey, Bev?” Eric blurted, interrupting their silence.

“Jah?”
She glanced his way and noticed that the muscles in his jaw were tight.

“What . . . What if we don't have anything in common anymore? What if this long-awaited reunion of ours is a bust?”

The fact was she didn't know his brother, and his fears could very well come to fruition. He and Jack might not have anything
in common anymore. They might very well be in store for three days of strained conversation and disappointment that they no longer had much to say to each other.

If that happened, Beverly promised herself that she would do her best to make both men as comfortable as possible. And if all else failed, why, she would cook for them nonstop! An array of home-cooked meals might make even the most difficult visit easier to bear.

Reaching out, she clasped his hand and enfolded it in both of hers. “It will still be all right, Eric.”

His eyes searched her face. “How do you know?”

“It will be all right because you both tried,” she said simply. “That is all one can do. Ain't so?”

His tense expression relaxed into the grin she was so fond of. “
Jah
. Ain't so.”

“Eric, do me a favor and don't even attempt to speak Pennsylvania Dutch to your brother.”

“My accent is still that bad?”

“It's worse.”

Looking at her smile, Eric felt the warmth of affection that he was coming to realize was a consequence of those smiles. “I'll try to remember to only speak English to Jack.
Danke
.”

She rolled her eyes. “Eric, it's ‘
danke,
'” she said, emphasizing some sound he wasn't sure he was capable of producing.

He was just about to try anyway when he spied a man walking down the hall who looked very familiar. He blinked, wondering if a person's loping walk could stay with him the way it looked like Jack's had. “That's him.”

Seeing Jack's stride, along with his faded jeans and boots and the intricate line of tattoos on his forearms, Eric felt a lump rise in his throat. “Excuse me,” he uttered to Beverly, not even sure why he was excusing himself.

All he seemed able to do was go to his brother.

When Jack recognized him, he paused, then lifted a hesitant hand. “Hey.”

Eric picked up his pace. “Jack. It's good you came,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Jack's lips twitched. Stuffing one of his hands into a back pocket, he said, “I figured if you took the trouble to ask me to come down here and buy me a ticket, the least I could do is actually show up.”

Eric grinned at him, then realized he'd been standing there staring at his brother as if they were strangers. Awkwardly, he stepped closer and hugged him, slapping his shoulder blades as Jack did the same.

When they parted, Eric looked him over. His brother was bigger than him, probably at least two or three inches taller and a good forty pounds heavier, but it was easy to see that all that extra weight was muscle. His construction job obviously kept him in shape. Honestly, between his girth and the tattoos, Jack was imposing enough that a lot of men would probably think twice about messing with him. Amazingly, Eric felt proud about that. It seemed Jack was always going to be the big brother who could take care of anything, anywhere, and at any time.

“You look great. Pale,” he teased.

Jack shrugged. “It's been pretty cold and snowy up in Cleveland. Not a lot of chances right now to get a suntan.”

“It was cold up in Philly, too. I was never so glad to get on a plane and head south.”

Belatedly realizing that they were standing in everyone's way, he pulled Jack closer to the wall. “Seriously, I'm really glad you're here.”

“Yeah. Me, too. It's been too long.”

Eric reached for his brother's duffel. “Come on, I want you to meet Beverly.”

“She's the woman who runs the inn?”

“Yes. But, um, she's more than that,” he replied, realizing that he now thought of Beverly in a far more meaningful way.

Jack glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “What does that mean?”

How could he put it into words for his brother when he was only now coming to terms with it himself? “I'll tell you later.”

When he saw that Beverly was watching them approach with a glow in her eyes, he knew she and Jack were going to get along just fine. Beverly was going to enjoy Jack's humor, and Jack was going to think Beverly was both beautiful and a great cook. Because both were true: She was beautiful and she was an outstanding cook.

“Hi, Bev, I'm Jack,” he said as he moved to Beverly. “It's great to meet you.”

When she held out her hand without a trace of hesitation and smiled at Jack, her green eyes sparkling, Eric noticed that his brother was speaking to her softly. Kindly. Not just because
Beverly was obviously a lady, but, he realized, because Jack knew he was talking to Eric's girl. And that, he realized, was why Jack was going to like her most of all.

Both of them were important to Eric. And Eric was also important to them.

And at the end of the day, that was truly all that mattered.

B
ecause of the nature of her job, Beverly cooked for others all the time. She felt a great deal of satisfaction when her guests reacted to her homemade cookies, pies, and cakes with obvious enjoyment. She loved creating her signature French toast and maple-glazed bacon and knowing that she'd made someone's visit to the Orange Blossom Inn a memorable experience.

These achievements were the product of years of careful practice and experimenting. She was proud of them. Despite all this, she could count only a handful of times when she'd felt like one of her meals had been really special.

But as she relaxed after supper that evening, she knew this had just been one of those occasions. She'd served crab cakes, beef filets, a salad dotted with fresh fruit, steamed broccoli, and
twice-baked potatoes. For dessert she'd pulled out all the stops and baked a chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse filling and a shiny white seven-minute frosting.

The men had been so attentive to the food, so appreciative, that their conversation had been limited and sparse. Beverly hadn't minded one bit. She had enjoyed watching them together, even if it was doing something as simple as sharing a meal.

Now that she knew some of their past, she felt as if she'd given them a small gift: a hearty dinner served with love on the eve of a holiday. Eric and Jack had joked with each other, gently teased her, and generally acted like it was one of their favorite meals ever. They were so much fun to be around, Beverly knew she would always hold this meal close to her heart. Their reunion was a blessing, for sure. She was so glad Eric had invited Jack to spend the holiday with them.

After Jack consumed the remaining bite of cake on his plate, he leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh. “Beverly, Eric told me you were an outstanding cook, but his praise didn't do you justice. I can honestly say that this was the nicest meal I've ever eaten.”

“I'm
verra
glad you enjoyed it,” she replied with a smile. And she
was
happy he'd enjoyed it, but when she peeked at Eric and saw how happy he looked, the warm feelings increased tenfold.

“I don't know why you ever leave here, E,” Jack continued. “Sarasota is beautiful, these accommodations are like something out of a fancy magazine, and Beverly's food is amazing.”

Eric laughed. “Put that way, you're absolutely right. I don't know why I ever went back to Pennsylvania. Now that my house is pretty much packed up, I hope my next visit back to Philly
will be short and sweet,” he added, his gaze darting her way yet again.

Beverly looked down at her lap before she started blushing like a young girl.

Jack chuckled. “I know I should get up, but I'm almost too full to do that.”

“I hope you're not too full, Jack. Tomorrow we're going to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then ham for lunch.”

“I'm just kidding,” he said with a wink. “When I go back to Cleveland, I'll be living on frozen food and takeout again. I fully intend to eat everything you put in front of me.”

“I knew you were smart,” Eric teased.

“We're going to need plenty of energy for tomorrow's events, anyway. We're going to the parade, right?”

“Oh,
jah
,” Beverly said. “No one misses the parade. It's quite the sight, especially if you are a child. Everyone throws lots of Christmas candy.”

“Eric and I saw some folks decorating vehicles today. I'm looking forward to seeing everything.” With a sigh, Jack stood up. “Now, though, I think it's time we helped you do all the dishes.”

Eric picked up two serving dishes. “Yep. These are going to take a while, I think.”

While she would usually gladly accept their help, Beverly didn't want Eric to spend what precious time he had with Jack washing pots and pans in her kitchen. “How about you gentlemen help me clear the table, then go outside and enjoy the evening?”

Eric shook his head. “No way, Beverly. It won't take too long if the three of us do them together.”

“But there's no reason—”

“There's every reason,” Eric interjected. “I know you like to argue with me, but let me win this time.”

She was mildly affronted. “I do not love to argue with you.”

“You do, too.”

“Eric, for your information, I simply like pointing out when I'm right and when you are wrong.” She attempted to keep a straight face but failed. “Which is often.”

Jack laughed as he followed her through the swinging door into the kitchen, two water glasses in his hands. “I hate to side against a woman, but I think Eric might be right on this one. You both seem to enjoy bickering.”

She was just about to give in gracefully when they heard a knock at the front door. “I wonder who that is? Maybe one of the guests forgot a key?”

Eric frowned. “I'll get it, Bev.”

When he left the kitchen, Jack pulled out a dishtowel and picked up one of the saucepans she'd washed earlier. “You two might enjoy bickering, but I happen to think you make a good team.”

“Thank you. Eric and I work together well.”

“I'm sure you do, but I wasn't thinking about work,” Jack said as he placed the saucepan down on the stovetop and grabbed another pot.

“Oh?” There came that maddening blush again. “Well, um, Eric is a nice man.” She closed her eyes. That sounded terribly inadequate. “I mean, he's been a
gut
friend. To me,” she sputtered. “I mean, he has been a mighty
gut freind
. Helpful and a, um, hard worker, too.”

“I'm sure he has been those things. But what I am trying to say is that the two of you would make a good couple. I can see you two together.”

“Do you think so?” she blurted before realizing that she should be keeping her feelings to herself. The last thing she needed was for Jack to tell Eric what she was thinking.

“Bev?” Eric called, interrupting her floundering.

“Jah?”

“Hey, you need to come out here.”

Beyond happy to have a reason to dart away, she rushed out the door. “Excuse me, Jack.” She felt like throwing her arms around Eric and thanking him for getting her out of that conversation.

She knew she was beaming as she walked into the foyer, but she couldn't help it. “Eric, I have to thank you—”

“Beverly, you have some guests,” he said, his expression grim. “Peter, Officer Roberts, and Jay Hilty have come calling.”

She froze as her gaze skittered from Eric to Peter Yoder and the other men.

Looking apologetic, Officer Roberts stepped forward. “Hi, Beverly. I'm sorry about the timing, but we were hoping to have a few minutes of your time. Can you spare us some?”

“Of course.” She smiled wanly at the four men. Jay smiled back but Peter looked scared to death.

Eric came to her side and, lowering his voice, said, “I hope you don't mind me asking them in, but I thought you might as well get this over with.”

His expression was so concerned, his presence so steady and true, she was able to regain her composure. “Yes, Eric.” Feeling
more like herself, good manners and years of hosting led her to say, “We were just finishing supper, but we have lots of cake left.” Remembering her former guest's penchant for chocolate, she smiled. “It's chocolate, Jay, and I must admit that it really is rather tasty. May I bring you some?”

Jay Hilty's eyes crinkled. “I will never pass up anything you cook, Beverly.”

“Officer Roberts?” Beverly smiled. “Peter?”

“Please,” the officer said.

“
Danke
,” Peter whispered.

“You sit down, Bev. I'll bring out the cake,” Eric said.

“You don't mind?” She gazed into his dark eyes.

Patience and pride shone back at her. “I don't mind at all.” Looking at their visitors, Eric gestured to the couches and chairs. “Please, everybody, have a seat.”

Though an awkward tension filled the air, everyone sat. In the background, Beverly could hear Eric and Jack clinking around in the kitchen, gathering forks and plates.

Peter was sitting motionless, his hands clasped tightly around his knees. Officer Richards looked far more relaxed but still a bit stiff. Jay seemed to be the only one who was completely at ease. He was leaning back in his chair with one black boot resting casually on his opposite knee. “Beverly, you've got quite the tree there in your window.”

She rolled her eyes. “I do. Eric said since he is most definitely not Amish, he wanted to have a lit Christmas tree. I have to admit to liking the white lights.”

“It's very pretty. But kind of plain,” Officer Roberts said.

Jay raised his eyebrows in an expression of mock annoyance. “Plain? It's covered with hundreds of lights.”

“True. But there's not an ornament to be found,” the policeman teased.

“I decided to push only my English decorating habits on Beverly a little bit at a time. It's easier that way,” Eric said as he entered the gathering room with a tray holding three giant portions of cake. “Beverly, don't say a word about the portions,” he warned. “Men like good-sized slices.”

She chuckled. “I've been serving cake longer than you have, Eric. I think those are perfectly sized.”

“I think it's perfectly terrific cake,” Jay said after he'd consumed a generous forkful.

“
Danke
, Jay.”

After all three of her visitors had taken a couple of bites, Officer Roberts put his fork down. “Beverly, I brought Peter here to talk to you.”

Looking pale, Peter swallowed and put his plate on the coffee table.

“You can talk to us about anything,” Eric said. He'd sat down by her side, obviously ready to shield her from any further pain or discomfort.

Beverly was grateful for his efforts. However, she was realizing that she didn't want to rely on him. Placing a hand on his sleeve, she said, “Thank you, Eric, but I think I need to do this on my own.”

The muscle under his sleeve contracted. “Are you sure?”

“I am.” Not only did she think this would be best for her, but
for Peter, too. It was obvious from the way he was sitting that he was scared to death. The last thing he needed was Eric glaring beside her. “Officer Roberts, Jay, would it be permissible if Peter and I talked together first, just the two of us?”

“Peter?” Officer Roberts asked.

Peter looked paler, but he nodded. “
Jah
. That is fine.”

Eric stood up. “Jay, Officer Roberts, how about you finish your cake in the kitchen? You can meet my brother.”

Jay picked up his dish and headed that way. “I didn't even know you had a brother,” Beverly heard him say as the three men slipped through the kitchen door.

When they were alone, Beverly smiled softly. “I hope you'll finish your cake, too.”

But instead of picking up his fork, Peter clenched his hands. “Miss Beverly, I'm really sorry.”

She knew he needed to apologize in order to clear his conscience. So she simply nodded.

He took a deep breath and continued. “I kept trying to do the right thing but it wasn't going well. I had to look out for Josiah and I was afraid.” He closed his eyes. “I was afraid if I told the truth about things at home, the social worker would take him. Someone had told me about your lockbox, how they'd seen a lot of cash in it and I started thinking if I just had some money, I wouldn't have to worry so much. But it was wrong. Instead of the money making my life easier, the guilt I felt for stealing only made things worse.”

As much as she simply wanted to accept his apology and move on, Beverly knew she needed to be honest with him. Honest
about her feelings, honest about how devastated and afraid his actions had made her.

“You scared me, Peter,” she said at last. “When I came home and saw the window broken, I was petrified.” Because her hands had started trembling from her memory, she clenched them into tight fists. “I truly wish you hadn't decided to solve your problems by robbing my inn.”

“I'm going to pay you back,” he said in a rush. “Jay said I could work for him for months until I pay you back everything I owe you.”

She nodded. “I'm sure you will. That will be fine.”

He looked away. Obviously too ashamed to meet her gaze.

And that's when she realized that she needed the Lord's help to say the right words.

After a quick prayer, she said quietly, “Peter, I have to tell you that something happened to me this month. I . . . I learned something about myself.”

He stared at her, motionless.

Though Beverly feared she was going to sound as awkward as the boy obviously felt, she leaned forward and let the words flow. “Through all this, I . . . well, I learned that for much of my life I've been thinking only about myself. Oh, I cook and clean for guests and I do try to help others, but I was looking at everyone and everything through my own experiences and memories.” Thinking just how misguided that had been, she averted her eyes. “I realized that over time I have become somewhat narrow-minded. Maybe cynical.”

“Cynical?”

She turned to him again. “I wasn't as understanding about others' situations as I should have been.” She sighed. “Peter, learning about your situation; learning about the sacrifices that you were willing to make for your brother . . . well, it humbled me.”

“I don't understand.”

“What I'm trying to say is that you have inspired me, Peter. You have inspired me to want to be more giving. To remember to think of others. Not only at Christmas, but all year round.”

He blinked. “Me?”

“Absolutely you,” she said with a slight smile. “You were willing to do whatever you could to help your brother, even break the law. Now you are being strong enough to take responsibility for your actions. Why, I know adults who would not handle such things so well. Perhaps this sounds strange, but I have to imagine that years from now, when this time in your life is just a memory, we'll both be glad this happened.”