The Hawaiian Quilt (18 page)

“Are ya sure? I mean…”

She held up her hand. “I’m more than happy to do it.”

“Danki.” Gideon grinned.
Barbara’s sure nice. No wonder she and Mandy are friends
.

Kapaa

As Mandy checked each of the rooms in the B&B, making sure they were prepared for the next guests’ arrival, she thought about similarities between the Amish and Hawaiian people, such as their family values and desire to live a simpler life. She was fascinated, too, with Luana’s beautiful quilts, displayed throughout the bed-and-breakfast. Every guest room had a different quilt on the bed and a lovely wall hanging. The Hawaiian quilt patterns were different from Amish quilts, but similar in some ways.

She leaned over and touched the pretty green-and-white quilt on the king-sized bed in the Bird of Paradise Room. Like most Amish quilts, the tiny hand-stitches were evenly spaced and barely visible. Once again, she found herself wishing she could take one of these magnificent quilts home.

Maybe Luana would like to have an Amish quilt
, Mandy thought.
I could ask Gideon’s mother to make one for her when I get home. In exchange, perhaps Luana would part with one of her quilts or even a quilted wall hanging
. She shook her head.
No, I shouldn’t expect too much. Most likely, each of the quilts here at the B&B are special to Luana. It wouldn’t be right to ask her to part with any of them
.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Mandy left the room and shut the door. Luana’s daughter and son-in-law would be coming for dinner soon, and she needed to help Luana and Ellen in the kitchen.

That evening, everyone sat around the dinner table, enjoying the chicken chowder and haystack Mandy and Ellen had prepared for them. The delicious aromas reminded Mandy of home.
I wonder what Gideon’s doing right now
. Chicken chowder was one of his favorite soups. Mandy had fixed it for him several times since they’d begun courting.
I should make the soup again when I get home and invite him over for a meal
. She placed her napkin in her lap and bowed her head for silent prayer.

“This chowder is good.” Ailani and her husband, Oke, spoke at the same time.

“We’re glad you like it.” Mandy looked at her friend and smiled. When they’d been putting the chowder together this afternoon, she’d told Ellen she was sure everyone would enjoy it. Since it was a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch recipe, Ellen wasn’t sure the Hawaiian family would like it as much as they did.

Makaio, who had insisted he hobble to the table on his crutches unassisted, was gulping down his second bowl. “This is different from what I’m used to, but I have to say, it’s sure good.”

“Don’t eat too much,” Mandy teased. “There’s still a Dutch apple pie coming for dessert.”

“Yes, and Makaio, where are your table manners?” Luana scolded, shaking her finger. “You sound like a puppy lapping milk.”

Everyone laughed, including Makaio. “Sorry. The soup is so tasty, I couldn’t help it. Bet the pie you made will also be good.” He looked at Luana and grinned before taking another bite.

“You two young women are spoiling us with your good cooking. I won’t know what to do when you leave—except maybe put my husband on a diet.” Luana laughed, then reached over and touched Mandy’s arm. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate you both being here and helping out.”

Mandy sighed. As much as she wanted Makaio’s leg to get well, she was in no hurry to leave Kauai. She wondered if God had a special reason for allowing them to become stranded on this island.

Middlebury

I
don’t know what to do anymore,” Gideon mumbled, clutching his shirt to his heart. “I feel like I’m losing her.” He left the phone shack and headed up to the house. It was the second day of December, and Barbara and Sadie had been back two weeks, but in all those days, he’d only talked to Mandy once. Each time he called, she was either busy doing something at the bed-and-breakfast or had gone someplace. He’d finally gotten ahold of her, but it hadn’t gone well. Mandy seemed distant—like her mind was someplace else. When he’d asked when she might be coming home, she wasted no time telling him she and Ellen were still needed there. It almost seemed as if she didn’t want to come home.

I need to quit dwelling on this
. He kicked a clump of snow with the toe of his boot.
Think I’ll head over to Mom’s store and see if she needs help with anything
.

“I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, Barbara, I’m glad you’re back working in the store again.”

Barbara chuckled as she carried a bolt of material to the counter for a customer who was still shopping. “It’s good to be back, Peggy. I enjoy my work here.” She glanced around the room. “I haven’t seen any sign of Gideon today. Do you know if he’s planning to come by?”

“I’m not sure.” Peggy looked toward the battery-operated clock on the far wall. “Maybe he had to work later than usual at the upholstery shop. When he does come by, it’s usually earlier than this.”

“I’m hoping to get the chance to talk to him about Mandy.” Barbara folded some material from a customer who had changed her mind.

Peggy’s eyebrows rose. “Is something wrong with Mandy?”

“No, nothing like that. She’s fine physically. I’m worried about her attitude.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I spoke to her last night, and—” Barbara stopped talking when another customer came in.

“We can talk later,” Peggy whispered. “I’ll take care of the counter, if you don’t mind putting some more white thread on the notions shelf. I can’t believe how many spools we’ve sold in the last two weeks.”

“I’ll take care of it right away.” Barbara headed to the back room to get the box of thread. As she turned to leave the room, Gideon stepped in, bumping her shoulder.

“Oops, sorry. Didn’t realize anyone was in here,” he apologized.

“It’s okay. No harm done.” Barbara’s face warmed as she stepped aside so he could enter the room. “Mind if I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Gideon took off his hat and tossed it aside.

“Have you heard from Mandy lately?”

“Jah. Talked to her this morning.” He dropped his gaze. “The conversation didn’t go well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I spoke with her last night.” She ran her hands down the sides of her dress. “I’m worried about her, Gideon.”

“Same here.” Frowning, he looked up. “She won’t be coming home for Christmas.”

“She told me the same thing.” Barbara leaned against the cabinet where some of the extra notions were stored. “Mandy and Ellen are doing a good deed by helping out at the B&B while the Hawaiian man is recuperating.” She drew in a quick breath, wondering if she should share her concerns with Gideon.

“You’re right. It’s a charitable thing they’re doing, but it seems as if Mandy likes being there a little too much.”

“I agree. All she wanted to talk about was all the wonderful things she’s seen so far on the island, and Mandy even mentioned…”

Gideon took a step toward her. “What else were you going to say?”

“Mandy admitted she wished she could stay on Kauai forever. Of course, I’m sure she didn’t mean it. She’s probably caught up in the excitement of being there, where the weather is warm and all the tropical flowers and trees are so pretty. I felt the same way when I was there, although I did miss home and looked forward to returning.”

“You don’t think Mandy will decide to stay in Hawaii, do you?” Gideon clasped Barbara’s wrist, sending a strange tingling sensation all the way up her arm.

Disappointed when he let go, she tried to reassure him. “I’m sure she and Ellen will come home as soon as Makaio is better. From what Mandy said, his leg is slowly healing, but he needs to stay off it right now.”

“Sure hope you’re right. I hate to say this, but Mandy seems different. When we talked this afternoon, I had a horrible feeling she’s forgotten where she belongs.”

“With all she and Ellen have gone through, they’ve had to adjust to a new environment. Once she gets home, things will go back to what they were before our trip.” Barbara moved back toward the door. “Guess I’d better get the spools of thread put out. Don’t lose hope, Gideon. Mandy will be home soon.”

As Barbara headed for the notions aisle, she glanced back and saw Gideon carrying a larger box out of the room.
How could Mandy treat her boyfriend like this? Doesn’t she realize how worried he is and how much he misses her?
She placed the box of thread on the floor.
If Gideon was my boyfriend, I would have come home by now. Mandy and Ellen are doing a good deed, but I’m sure the Hawaiian couple could have found someone else to help out at their bed-and-breakfast
.

Kapaa

“Where are you going?” Ken’s mother asked when he grabbed a cardboard box and started for the back door.

“Over to the B&B. I’m taking them more eggs and poultry. Remember when Luana called and asked for those?”

Mom nodded. “You’ve been over there quite a bit lately, Son, and staying longer than normal. What’s grabbed your interest all of a sudden at Luana and Makaio’s place?”

Heat crept up the back of Ken’s neck. “Nothing, Mom. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” It was one thing to admit he was looking for excuses to go there, but another thing to acknowledge the reason why. Ken was not going to admit he was interested in Mandy or that he looked for any excuse to see her. Not that it mattered. She’d be leaving as soon as Makaio’s leg healed, and then he’d probably never see her again. Besides, they were worlds apart. She’d return to her plain Amish life in Indiana, and he would remain here on Kauai, taking care of chickens. So there was no point in telling Mandy how he’d begun to feel about her.