The Hawaiian Quilt (30 page)

She set her journal aside and smiled at Ellen, who sat beside her at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of lavender tea. “You know what, Ellen?”

Blowing at the steam swirling up from her cup, Ellen raised her eyebrows. “What, Mandy?”

“Seeing Ailani’s baby makes me long for a child of my own.” Mandy got out the soft cinnamon cookies and bit into one.

“I’m sure you’ll have a baby someday—after you and Gideon are married.” Ellen sipped the fragrant tea. “This lavender honey I added is quite good.”

“I have to agree.” She reverted back to Ellen’s comment about her and Gideon. “What if we don’t end up getting married?”

Ellen tapped Mandy’s shoulder. “Of course you’ll get married. Why do you think he’s waiting for you to join the church? You have nothing to worry about. Once you get home, things will work out.”

“But what if I decide not to join the church?”

“Not join? And do what, Mandy—stay here in Hawaii and marry Ken? Is that what you’re hoping for?”

Mandy bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. “No, I…” Unbidden tears sprang to her eyes. She’d suppressed her emotions so long she felt as if she could burst. “It’s not like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Except for church, I don’t see much of Ken anymore.” Her throat felt sore when she spoke. “Something’s changed. I can’t imagine what I did, but it seems I may have said or done something to offend him. We were getting along so well before, but now I don’t know.”

“He’s probably busy helping out at his parents’ chicken farm.”

Mandy drew in a few slow, steady breaths. “How busy could he be? He always had time to come by before. Ken hasn’t even brought any eggs in a while. His brother’s been making the deliveries.” She clenched her fingers. “I feel like he’s avoiding me for some reason.”

“Maybe you’re overthinking things, Mandy.”

She tapped Ellen’s arm. “Have you seen Ken recently? And if so, did he say anything to you about me?”

“Umm … no.” Ellen pushed away from the table and rose. “Think I hear the baby crying. I’m going to see if Ailani needs any help.”

Before Mandy could comment, her friend made a hasty exit.
Strange. Is Ellen trying to avoid talking to me about Ken?

As Ellen stepped into the living room, where Ailani sat rocking her baby, a feeling of guilt weighed heavily on her.

“Is everything okay?” Ailani asked. “It sounded like you two were having a disagreement.”

“Oh, that. Mandy’s a little worried about why Ken hasn’t been around much lately.”

“He’s probably busy helping at his parents’ farm right now.”

“Yes. I told her the same thing.” Ellen took a seat. She wasn’t about to reveal to anyone, especially Mandy, what she’d told Ken the other evening.

She wondered how her best friend could be thrown off her normal path. Mandy had a nice boyfriend back home, waiting for her return. Ellen figured it was up to her to help Mandy see the light, but maybe she’d been wrong. Perhaps she should have kept her nose out of things.

Mandy is hurt because Ken hasn’t been in touch with her lately, and it’s my fault. If I hadn’t told him about Gideon, he’d still be coming around
. Her jaw clenched.
But Ken needed to know he has no future with Mandy, so I did it for both their sakes
.

Ellen felt sure things would be as they once were after they returned home. Her friend might miss Ken and everything she liked about Hawaii, but in time it would seem like a distant memory. In some ways, it was good Mandy had dropped her digital camera in the ocean during their whale-watching cruise. Having the pictures she’d taken would only have served as a reminder of what she’d left behind on Kauai.
I don’t like admitting this, but I’m glad her camera is at the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again. Those pictures would only keep her memory of Ken alive
.

Pushing these thoughts to the back of her mind, Ellen moved across the room to offer her assistance to Luana’s daughter. “You look tired. Would you like me to hold Primrose for a bit?”

Ailani nodded. “I’d appreciate it. Since Mama took Dad to physical therapy, and Oke’s at work, I’ve had full responsibility for the baby, and no matter what I do, she won’t stop fussing.” She appeared to be overwhelmed as she looked at Ellen with quivering lips.

Ellen’s heart went out to the young woman. “Why don’t you go lie down awhile? I’ll take care of Primrose till your folks get back.”

“Mahalo.” Ailani rose from her chair and handed the precious bundle to Ellen.

After Ailani left the room, Ellen walked out to the lanai, while gently patting the baby’s back. She heard water running in the sink and knew Mandy must be washing dishes in the kitchen.

It was a breezy afternoon, with comfortable temperatures—the kind of day one enjoyed being outside. After several minutes, Primrose stopped crying, so Ellen took a seat on the glider, softly humming as she rocked. The warmth of the baby and the infant’s gentle breathing as she was lulled to sleep stirred something in Ellen’s heart.

I understand why Mandy would want a baby of her own. I’d like one, too, but if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen in God’s time. Mandy has a better chance at having a
boppli
than I do
. She swallowed against the lump in her throat.
At least she has a boyfriend back home, eager to marry her. I don’t even have a suitor. Maybe someday God will send the right man into my life
.

Middlebury

Sadie’s stomach churned as she stepped into the phone shack to call Mandy. She hoped to unburden her worries, and the sooner the better. In the last few weeks she’d seen Gideon with Barbara a couple of times, not to mention hearing he’d taken her home from the singing a few Sundays ago. If Mandy didn’t get home soon, Gideon might start courting Barbara or someone else.

Sadie wanted to speak with Barbara about this, too, but every time she started to bring up the subject, she lost her nerve. One time, she’d casually mentioned to Barbara about seeing Gideon a lot, but her friend made light of it, saying they were only good friends and he needed a sympathetic ear. Barbara said she was concerned, because with Mandy having been gone so long, Gideon was beginning to lose hope.

To make matters worse, the last time Sadie had spoken to Ellen on the phone, she’d learned Mandy had been seeing a lot of a young man named Ken. Ellen didn’t say whether Mandy had fallen in love with this fellow, but she sounded concerned because Mandy was gone from the B&B so much.

“None of this would be a problem if they’d stuck with me and Barbara instead of heading out on their own when the ship docked at Kauai. We should have insisted they join our tour group that day,” Sadie mumbled as she punched in the number for the bed-and-breakfast.

The phone rang a few times before someone picked up. “The Palms Bed-and-Breakfast.”

“Mandy?”

“Yes. Is this Sadie?”

“Jah.”

“It’s nice hearing from you. How are things in Middlebury?”

Sadie shifted on the wooden bench, trying to find a comfortable position. “Everyone’s fine, but—”

“Good to hear. Ellen and I are doing well here. We’re busier than ever.” Sadie couldn’t get a word in edgewise, so she let Mandy continue.

“Luana and Makaio’s daughter had a baby girl two days ago. She and her husband are staying at the B&B so she has more help until she gets her strength back.” Mandy paused briefly, but before Sadie could respond, she rushed on. “The baby’s so little, and you should see all her dark hair. Oh, and they call her Primrose. Isn’t that a sweet name?” Her voice sounded so enthusiastic.

“I guess so; it’s kind of tropical sounding, but certainly nothing like our traditional Amish names.”

“Amish parents don’t always give their babies traditional names anymore, Sadie. I know an Amish couple who named their little girl Doretta, and I think it’s a lovely name.”

“You’re right, and so is Primrose. I only meant…” Sadie cleared her throat. “Have you heard from Gideon lately?”

“Not for a week or so. I’m sure he’s quite busy. He sent me a birthday card and gift, but I never got it.”

“Maybe it got lost in the mail.”

“Jah. That’s most likely what happened.”

“Have you talked to Barbara lately?” Sadie questioned.

“No, but then if she had called, I would have been too busy to talk very long.”

“I see.” Sadie licked her lips. She was quickly losing her nerve. “I saw Gideon and Barbara the other day, and I think—”

“What did you say, Sadie? I can hardly hear you anymore. The connection must be bad.”

Maybe it’s a sign I’m not supposed to say anything
. Sadie tapped her fingers on the wooden shelf where the phone sat.
I probably shouldn’t say anything about Barbara and Gideon right now. It may be best to keep my concerns to myself and wait to see how things go when Mandy gets home
.

“Sorry, Sadie, but I have to hang up now. I heard a car pull in and need to see who it is.”

“Okay. Take care, and I hope to see you soon.”

When Sadie hung up, she leaned her head against the wall and sat several seconds, wondering if she should have called Mandy at all, for nothing had been accomplished as far as Gideon and Barbara was concerned. It was nice to hear Mandy’s voice, though. It seemed like she and Ellen had been gone forever.

Kapaa

Mandy peeked out the window and saw Luana and Makaio getting out of their car. Makaio had a big grin on his face as they walked up to the house. She went to the back door and opened it for them. “How’d the physical therapy session go?”

“It went well.” Luana, all smiles, too, pointed to Makaio. “Tell her the happy news.”

“I had a good report today.” His smile widened. “I can finally return to most of my duties here, which I kind of knew already. I’ve been feeling fine and did some gardening yesterday while you girls baked cookies.” Makaio paused. “We hate to see you go, but when you’re ready, I’ll go on the Internet and help you book your tickets.”

Although eager to see her family and friends again, Mandy felt a sense of disappointment. This place and these people had become home to her. It wouldn’t be easy leaving her special Kauai friends, whom she’d come to know and love.

F
riday, April 15, was Mandy and Ellen’s last night on Kauai. Luana and Makaio had planned a going-away party for them, and Ken had been invited. Mandy’s emotions ran high, feeling both happy and sad. Seeing him tonight, knowing it was the last time they would be together, nearly broke her heart. She wished she was free to share her feelings with him, but she would never be so bold. Besides, Ken had not given her any reason to believe he had feelings for her other than friendship—although after he’d looked at her a certain way or done something thoughtful, she’d wondered if he saw her as more than a friend. But that was before he’d stopped coming around so much.

It’s better this way
, Mandy thought as she sat between Ellen and Ailani on the couch.
I’ll be returning to my Amish life, and he’ll stay here with his family, like before I came to Kauai
.

She glanced across the room, where Ken sat in a chair, talking with Makaio and Oke. Ailani took pictures of everyone in the room, while Oke held the baby. Mandy noticed every once in a while, Ken looked in her direction, then glanced quickly away. Would he miss the friendship they’d established or forget about her soon after she was gone? He’d kept his distance these past several weeks and hadn’t said much to her tonight.
If I only understood why he’s stayed away, at least nothing would be left unsaid
.