Cousin's Challenge (21 page)

Lonnie glanced across the road, where two German shepherd pups frolicked in the snow. Winter was a beautiful time of the year. He just wished it wasn't so cold.

By the time Lonnie reached Jolene's house, he was sweating profusely and had begun to shiver. He was both excited and apprehensive about giving her the gift he'd made. He didn't know exactly when it had happened, but sometime during these last few months, he'd come to care deeply for Jolene. That scared him—a lot. He wasn't sure if she cared for him, and even if she did, he knew they had no future together. Maybe he'd made a mistake in making her a gift. Maybe he should turn around and head for home.

I'm here now, so guess I may as well give her the gift,
Lonnie decided. Besides, it would feel good to get out of the cold for a few minutes. With a sense of determination he didn't really feel, he tucked the package for her under one arm and rapped on the door.

A few seconds later, Jolene's mother, Leah, answered his knock. “Guder mariye,” he signed as he spoke the words. “Is Jolene at home?”

“She's in the kitchen,”
Leah signed in reply. Lonnie felt good about being able to communicate with her this way.

He brushed the snow off his jacket and followed as Leah led the way to the kitchen. He was relieved when she left the room and padded down the hall. It would be easier if he spoke to Jolene alone.

He found Jolene sitting at the table, reading her Bible. When he touched her shoulder, she looked up and offered him a friendly smile. “Good morning. You look really wet,” she said, signing and speaking at the same time. “Is it snowing again?”

“Not at the moment. I walked over, so I've been sweating.”

She motioned to the stove. “You should stand over there and get warm.”

He set the gift on the table and moved across the room, enjoying the heat radiating from the stove.
“The gift is for you,”
he signed.

Her eyes lit up.
“Do I have to wait until Christmas to open it?”
she asked, signing the question.

He shook his head. “It's not really a Christmas present. It's just something I made to say thanks for teaching me total communication.”

“I've been glad to do it, so no thanks is—”

“What was that?” Lonnie hadn't understood all the words she'd said.

“I appreciate the gesture.”
Jolene picked up the gift and tore the wrapping from it. When she removed the bird feeder, she smiled.
“This is nice. I'll enjoy using it to feed the birds the rest of this winter.”

Lonnie was on the verge of saying something else when Jake stepped into the room. He grinned at Jolene and handed her a gift.

“What's this for?”
she asked, tipping her head.

“It's a Christmas present, and it's my way of saying thanks for teaching me to sign. You can open it now if you like.”

Jolene tore the wrapping aside and withdrew a box full of scented candles in various sizes. There was also a beautiful leather journal inside.

Jolene sniffed the candles and smiled at Jake. “Thank you. That was very thoughtful of you.”

“I bought the candles from Eunice. Figured you might like the journal to write down your thoughts about teaching.”

“I appreciate them both.”

Lonnie cringed. He'd been able to read their lips, and even if he hadn't, it didn't take a genius to see how much Jolene liked Jake's gift. The homemade bird feeder Lonnie had given her didn't look nearly as good as Jake's store-bought gift. He was sure she liked Jake's gift better.

“I should be going,” Lonnie said, and he moved quickly toward the door.

Jolene touched his arm and he turned around.
“I offered Jake a cup of coffee. Would you like one, too?”

“I'd better go.” Lonnie hurried out the door. Keeping the way he felt about Jolene to himself was a difficult task. Seeing the way she'd looked at Jake was unbearable.

Exhausted after arising early to get her baking done, Ella took a seat by the fireplace in the living room and draped one of Mama's old quilts around her. Hopefully she'd have a few minutes of quiet to herself before it was time to open the bakeshop.

She pulled the quilt tighter around her shoulders and moved her chair closer to the fire. Flames leaped from the glowing embers, sending a wave of warmth into the room.

Ella leaned her head against the back of the chair and closed her eyes. Christmas was only a few days away, and there was still so much to do.

Tears burned the backs of Ella's eyes as she reflected on last Christmas.
Oh, Papa, I still miss you so much. This will be our first Christmas without you.

She mentally shook herself.
I can't let the pain of losing Papa ruin our Christmas. I need to put on a happy face for the rest of the family.

Ella rose from her chair and headed for the kitchen, where she removed the tea kettle from the stove. She'd just poured herself a cup of tea, when she heard the whinny of a horse. She glanced out the window and saw a horse and buggy parked in the yard. Figuring it must be an early customer, she hurried to the back door. As soon as she opened it, a swirl of cold air entered the house. She was surprised to see Jake plodding through the snow toward the bakeshop.

“I'm not open yet!” she hollered.

Jake turned and tromped up to the house. “Thought I'd see if you were there before I came here,” he said, stepping onto the porch.

“You just visited my bakeshop two days ago, so please, don't tell me you need more bread,” Ella said.

Jake shook his head. “Came to bring you this.” He withdrew an envelope from his pocket and held it out to her.

“What is it?”

“Something I thought you might need during the holidays. Call it an early Christmas present.” He handed her the envelope. “Go ahead, open it.”

Feeling a bit awkward because she had no gift for him, Ella opened the envelope and gasped. There was five hundred dollars inside! Irritation welled in her soul. “What's all this money for, Jake?”

“I thought you could use it to buy your family some gifts.”

She dropped the money into the envelope and handed it back to him. “I don't need your money. I've already bought gifts for my family.”

“I just thought...” Jake stopped talking and dropped his gaze to the porch.

Ella could see the hurt look on his face. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing she should take back her unkind words but was somehow unable to do so. She was tired of Jake coming over here all the time, buying baked goods she was sure he didn't need and volunteering to do chores she didn't want him to do. Now he wanted to give her money again! Why did dealing with Jake have to be such a challenge? This had to stop!

She opened her mouth to spew angry words, but before she could say anything, Jake dropped the envelope to the little table near the door, turned, and sloshed his way through the snow to his buggy.

Ella's legs trembled as she stepped into the house. Then she dashed into the living room, flopped onto the sofa, and gave in to her threatening tears.

“Would you please pass the potatoes?”
Jolene's mother signed. She then pointed to the bowl of potatoes sitting in front of Jolene.

Jolene smiled and handed the potatoes to Andrew, who sat beside her, and then he passed them to Mom. It was good to see Mom doing more signing. She was getting so much better at it, too.

Dad looked over at Jolene and signed,
“It's real good to have you back with us.”

Andrew nodded.
“We've missed not having you here for Christmas the last couple of years.”

“I've missed being here, and I'm glad to be home,” Jolene said as she signed.

“Do you enjoy teaching Sylvia and Irvin?” one of Jolene's married sisters, Barbara, who was visiting from Wisconsin, asked.

“I sure do.”

“I heard you got some nice gifts from your two older students.” Barbara grinned and nudged Jolene's arm. “It appears that you might have two men interested in you.”

Jolene shook her head. “Lonnie and Jake are just my friends.”
Although I wish Lonnie could be more than that,
she mentally added.

Jolene's other married sister, Anna Rose, needled Jolene in the ribs. “Friends who like to give you Christmas presents. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't end up marrying one of them.”

“That's not going to happen,” Jolene said with a shake of her head.

“How do you know?” Dad asked.

“Because I'm quite sure that Jake will be leaving for Montana in the spring.”

Mom pursed her lips. “That's too bad. I'm sure Jake's folks will be very disappointed when he goes.”

“I'm sure they will.” Jolene forked a piece of ham onto her plate. “Even if Jake should decide to stay in Indiana, I'd still have no interest in him—at least not in a romantic sort of way.”

“What about Lonnie?” Anna Rose asked. “From what you've said about him in your letters, I think he'd make a good husband.”

“Lonnie told me once that he has no plans to marry,” Jolene said around a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

“How come?”

“He was deeply hurt when his girlfriend broke up with him. Besides, he thinks his deafness would hamper him from being a good husband and father.” Jolene blotted her lips with a napkin. “I can relate to that kind of thinking because I'm not sure I'd make a good mother, either.”

“That's lecherich,” Andrew said. “A lot of deaf people get married.”

Figuring they needed a new topic of conversation, Jolene quickly changed the subject. “Are you planning to go over to see Eunice today?” she asked Andrew.

Andrew's face turned crimson. “Uh-huh. Thought I might head over there after we've finished our dinner.”

“Is Eunice your
aldi?”
Anna Rose asked.

Andrew ate a piece of ham then washed it down with a drink of water. “I believe she
is
my girlfriend.”

“Are you sure getting involved with Eunice is a good idea?” Mom asked with a look of concern. “She has been known to spread quite a bit of gossip.”

“Eunice is trying to change,” Andrew said. “She has a lot of good qualities others don't see, and she told me the other day that she knows it's wrong to gossip, and I believe she's mending her ways.”

“If Andrew's interested in Eunice, then I think we should give her a chance,” Jolene put in.

Mom reached over and patted Andrew's hand. “We'll support your decision to court whomever you want.”

“I appreciate that.” He looked over at Jolene and smiled. “You did good at keeping Eunice's secret. She surprised me when she came by the harness shop the other day and signed a few words.”

Jolene grinned back at him. “I'm pleased with her progress.”

They continued to visit as they ate their meal, and when everyone was finished, all heads bowed for a second silent prayer.

Heavenly Father,
Jolene prayed,
Thank You for the opportunity for us all to be together this Christmas. Thank You for my teaching job and for my students. Please guide and direct each of us in the days ahead.

“I have presents for all of you,” Jake said to his family after they'd eaten their Christmas dinner. “I'll get the ones that are in my room, but I'll need help with the one I have for Dad That's hidden in the barn.”

Dad's eyebrows shot up. “You hid something there without me knowing it?”

“Uh-huh, that was the purpose—to keep you from knowing about it. It's behind a stack of hay in one of the empty stalls.” Jake smiled, feeling in a cheerful mood. “I'll get the gifts that are in my room first, though.” He hurried out of the dining room and returned a few minutes later with a sack full of presents.

Dad sat stony-faced as Jake handed out the gifts, but everyone else seemed happy enough.

“This is great!” Kyle said after he'd opened the fishing pole Jake had given him. “Maybe you and me can do some fishin' when spring comes around.”

Deciding it might be best not to discuss his plans for the spring, Jake thumped his brother's arm. “We'll have to see how it goes.”

Next, Jake gave his teenage sister, Marilyn, a gift. Her face fairly glowed when she opened a box full of rubber stamps. “Danki, Jake.”

He smiled. “I thought you might enjoy them since I know you like to keep all the postcards and letters you received from friends in your scrapbook.”

“What'd ya get for me, Jake?” his younger brother Vern asked with an expectant look.

Jake handed the boy a box. “See if you like this.”

Vern tore the wrapping aside and lifted the lid on the box. When he reached inside and pulled out a baseball bat and a glove, his eyes lit up. “Danki, Jake! This is just what I've been wantin'!”

Jake looked over at Elmer then. “Your gift's out on the porch.”

Elmer jumped up and raced out the door. A few minutes later he returned, pushing a shiny new bike into the room. “Danki, Jake. I really needed a new bike!”

Dad, who'd sat quietly as the children opened their gifts, grunted and frowned at Jake. “Looks to me like you spent a lot of money on those presents.”

“From the way my sister and brothers are grinning, I'd say it was money well spent.” Jake placed a large box on the table in front of his mother. “Now it's your turn, Mom. I hope you like what's inside.”

Mom fumbled with the box, and when she saw finally got it open, a wide smile stretched across her face. “A new set of dishes is exactly what I need. Danki, Jake.”

“You're welcome.” Jake looked over at Kyle and Elmer. “You two look like you're pretty strong today. How'd you like to help me bring in Dad's gift?”

The boys nodded agreeably and raced to get their jackets, as did Jake. “We'll be back soon,” Jake called over his shoulder as they hurried to the door. “Meet us in the living room!”

When Jake and his brothers returned to the house with a large box, he found the rest of his family seated on chairs in the living room.

Dad, who'd taken a seat in his old easy chair, looked up at Jake and said, “What in the world's in that big box?”

“It's your Christmas present.” Jake took out his pocket knife and cut the sides of the box open, revealing a beautiful new recliner, upholstered in blue. He stood off to one side, awaiting Dad's response.

“Now why'd you waste your money on something I don't even need when we've got bills that have to be paid?” Dad mumbled.

Jake opened his mouth to reply, but Dad cut him off when he thumped the arm of his old chair and said, “There's nothin' wrong with this old chair. I sure don't need a new one.”

“Now, Joe,” Mom was quick to say, “Jake must have wanted you to have a new chair, so I think—”

“I don't care what you think,” Dad bellowed. “I'm gettin' tired of you always takin' Jake's side!” Before Mom could say anything in her own defense, Dad turned to Jake with a scowl. “As far as I'm concerned, you buying this expensive chair is just your way of showing off.”

Jake's mouth dropped open like a broken window hinge. “How is me buying you a nice Christmas present showing off?”

“You're trying to remind us of how much money you made workin' in Montana.” Dad snorted. “If you want to throw your money around why don't you buy something sensible like a horse and buggy?”

“I have a horse and buggy,” Jake retorted.

“Jah, well, when you left Indiana the first time I laid claim to that horse and buggy. I've just been lettin' you borrow it since you came home.”

White-hot anger surged in Jake's soul. He wished he'd never bought Dad the new chair! He shouldn't have bought him anything at all! He wondered why he'd bothered to come home and help out. Dad didn't appreciate it; that was for sure.

“You gonna try out that chair, Dad?” Kyle asked.

Dad shook his head and grunted. “Nope.”

“So what do you want me to do?” Jake asked, his irritation mounting. “Am I supposed to take the chair back to the furniture store?”

“The chair's here's now,” Mom was quick to say. “If your stubborn daed won't sit in it then I sure will.” She flopped into the chair and reclined it back as far as it would go. “Now this is a very comfortable chair, and it looks much nicer than our old one does.”

“I like it, too,” Kyle spoke up.

“Nobody asked you, boy!” Dad's eyes narrowed as he glared at Kyle. “So just keep your opinions to yourself.”

Mom looked at Dad and shook her head. “You don't have to be so harsh. Jake bought you a nice gift for Christmas, and you should appreciate it.”

Dad rose from his chair with an undignified grunt and limped across the room.

“Where are you going?” Mom called to his retreating form.

“Out to the barn, where I won't have to look at that expensive chair!”

When the door slammed shut behind Dad, Jake sank to the sofa. He felt like a heel. “I'm sorry for ruining everyone's Christmas,” he mumbled.

Mom shook her head. “It's not your fault, Jake. You were only trying to make everyone happy by buying those gifts. Your daed ... well, he's just so frustrated right now that he can't accept anything from you.”

“Frustrated because I won't do everything he says, you mean?”

She shrugged.

“Dad will cool down soon; you'll see,” Kyle said, touching Jake's arm. “I'll bet in a few days he'll be sittin' in that new chair with a big ol' smile on his face.”

Jake wasn't so sure about that, but he didn't voice his thoughts. Instead, he turned in his chair and stared into the glowing fireplace embers.

After a few minutes, he closed his eyes and tried to relax, but suddenly, Ella came to mind. He thought about the encounter he'd had with her the other day. She hadn't been any happier about the money he'd given her than Dad had been with his new chair. Jake had to wonder if she would keep the money he'd left there or if she'd end up throwing it in his face.

He grimaced and opened his eyes.
Guess I probably ruined Ella's Christmas, too.

It had been difficult for Ella to look happy when she'd gotten up Christmas morning, but for the benefit of her family, she knew she had to. While she was sure that her younger siblings still missed Papa, they were full of excitement. Everyone had seemed pleased with the small gifts she'd given them, and although Mama's face looked strained, she'd put up a brave front.

As they sat at the table, eating their Christmas dinner, all the earlier chatting had ceased, and everyone seemed intent on finishing their meal.

“What's for dessert?” Larry asked after he'd cleaned his plate.

“I made apple and pumpkin pies,” Ella said. “They're in the kitchen.”

Larry licked his lips. “Umm. Think I'll have some of both.”

“None for me,” Mama said with a shake of her head. “My blood sugar was higher than it should have been when I tested it this morning, and I don't want to send it any higher by eating a piece of sugary pie.”

“I made one sugar-free pie, just for you.” Ella reached over and patted her mother's hand.

“That was considerate of you, but I think I'll wait awhile to have dessert.” Mama sighed. “I hope you get more bakery business soon, because with the cost of my diabetes medicine, I'm worried that we won't have enough money to pay for that as well as all the other things we need.”

Ella forced a smile. “We'll get by somehow, Mama. We just need to hang on until spring, and then I'm sure things will pick up.”

“I hope so.”

Ella pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “Guess I'll go get those pies now.”

“Want me to help?” Charlene called as Ella started across the room.

“Thanks anyway, but I can manage.”

When Ella stepped into the kitchen, lit only by the propane light above the table, she headed over to the counter where she'd set the pies. She was about to pick up one of the pumpkin pies when she spotted an envelope on one end of the counter.

She grimaced. The money Jake had given her the other day was inside that envelope. In her haste to get everything done before Christmas, she'd forgotten that she'd laid the envelope there after he'd left it on the porch. She planned to take it back to him one day this week.

Ella removed the money from the envelope and stared at it a few seconds.
We really could use this right now. What's more important: preserving my pride or seeing that my family's needs are met?
With Mama in need of regular medication, the answer came through to Ella rather quickly. She would take the money into Mama and tell her it was a gift from Jake. Then, when she saw the look of gratitude and relief on Mama's face, she'd remember to be thankful.