Chapter 38
So, how’s your time coming with the Widow Beiler’s boy?” Seth said.
They were exercising two of the horses, having ridden far afield in the lessening snow of early February.
“Why do you always call her the ‘Widow Beiler’ like she’s some crow? The woman’s downright beautiful,” Jacob stated.
“I hadn’t noticed.”
Jacob shot his brother a quick glance and grinned. “You hadn’t noticed? Now, why do I have trouble believing that?”
“Fine. She’s beautiful. All right. So what?”
“Lilly told me she saw you and the widow together and that you looked ‘smitten.’”
Seth laughed aloud. “Smitten? Not me, bruder.”
“Well, what were you doing then?”
“Being a good Amish man and helping introduce her around.”
“Why not give her a chance?”
“A chance for what?”
“A chance to let her into that cold, cold heart of yours.”
“I thought my heart was tortured—longing for true love. You can’t have it both ways.”
“I’ve heard she’s a good woman, Seth. You’ve tried everyone else around here.” Jacob threw him a brotherly look—as pointed and sarcastic as his words.
“I’ve told you before; I plan to outrun every scheming woman within a twenty-mile radius.”
“Somehow I don’t see Grace Beiler as scheming for you.”
“Then she’s a wise woman.”
“So, you haven’t thought of her?”
“The only thing I’m thinking of is beating you back to lunch and Mamm’s fried apples ‘n onions. Tommy’ll eat ‘em all if we’re late. Last one back has to stable both horses!”
Thoughts at school had turned toward Valentine’s Day, and Lilly enjoyed the cheerful heart decorations in the windows and around the classroom. The school board and community had come together for a few hours, along with Tommy Granger and a much subdued Kate Zook, to repair the school. And now, nearly a month later, everything held the fresh scent of new wood and paint. Even the blackboards had been replaced using similarly-sized pieces from a school that was being torn down two valleys over.
At home one evening, Lilly asked her mamm if she wanted to help her make traditional Amish Shatter Candy to give as a treat to the students on February fourteenth. She was happy when her mother agreed.
In truth, Lilly was developing a new way of being with her mamm, finding common ground to talk about things and feeling much closer as they often went to medical or therapy appointments together. The community continued to rally in support, never ceasing to provide companionship and trips away from the house for her mamm while Lilly was at school and Jacob at his family’s farm.
She glanced into the sitting room at her husband as he half-dozed in a chair. In profile, the soft lay of his growing beard only made him appear more handsome, and Lilly had to remind herself not to stare. He worked endlessly long hours, often rising before 4:00 a.m. and not returning home until supper. And last night there’d been two foals born, which meant he’d gotten little to no sleep at all.
Lilly eased the large frying pan atop the stove and spoke in whispers to her mother.
“Remember when we used to make Shatter Candy when I was little, Mamm?”
“Jah. Your favorite part was the shattering. Your daed’s too.”
Lilly smiled. “And I remember that neither of you would let me have more than three pieces until Valentine’s Day. Ach, I’m so glad we can talk about Father without it hurting you so much, Mamm.”
Her mother patted her arm. “It’s probably always going to be hard, but I learned in the hospital to just be in the moment instead of living in the past or worrying about the future.”
Lilly measured out the granulated sugar from the large jar while her mamm poured the corn syrup into a cup. Both sugar and syrup went into the heated frying pan with a cup of water.
“What flavor are you planning?”
“Ach, cinnamon, I guess, for Valentine’s. And I suppose we’ll use the red food coloring.”
Her mamm rummaged in the pantry and returned with the ingredients. The syrup was soon boiling and Lilly pulled up a tiny bit on a spoon to drop into a clear glass of cold water. A soft ball formed.
“Not ready yet,” her mamm advised. “Just a few more minutes though.”
Lilly added the food coloring as the sugar climbed in temperature. Her next spoonful produced brittle threads in the cold water and she quickly drew the pan from the heat. Her mother added the cinnamon extract, stirring rapidly.
“Now the best part.” Lilly smiled as she spilled the syrup onto the greased cookie sheets.
“What’s the best part?” Jacob asked.
She looked up to find Jacob watching with his dark hair slightly messed, easing himself into a chair.
Lilly’s mother laughed. “A man knows when to come to the table.”
“What are you making?”
Lilly drew a heavy ice-cream scoop from a drawer and poised its backside over the cookie sheet. She pounded lightly once and the now hardened candy shattered into a hundred pieces.
“Shatter Candy!” Jacob exclaimed. “I haven’t had it since I was a kid.”
“And you may only have one piece now. It’s for the children for Valentine’s Day.” She scooped up a warm piece, dusted it with powdered sugar, and absently held it across the table to his mouth. He opened and she popped it in.
“Mmmm,” he said as he nodded. “Wish I were ten again … in some ways. In truth, I could do with a primer lesson from my favorite teacher.” Lilly heard the sensuous note in his voice and avoided looking at him while her mamm laughed.