A Place at Our Table Read online

  “Okay.” Nathan nodded. “I can watch how you fight the fire.”

  “You won’t see anything too exciting,” Leon offered. “It’s a stove fire. I’m pretty sure they have it out already.”

  A call for a fan came over the radio.

  “Just as I said. It’s out.” Leon hurried back toward the truck. Brody was still there with the Ronks chief.

  Jamie turned toward Nathan. “Does anyone in your family know you’ve left the haus?”

  “No, they’re all asleep.”

  Jamie cringed. “You realize your schweschder is going to be furious when she finds out you’re here.”

  “Ya, I know.” Nathan blew out a deep sigh. “It’s not just Kayla, though. Mei mamm and dat won’t be froh either.”

  “You know sneaking out to try to help us won’t help convince them to let you start training.”

  Nathan’s expression was solemn. “You’re right.”

  “Let’s head over to the truck.” Jamie made a “let’s go” gesture. “You can sit in there, and I’ll find out what’s going on with the fire.”

  They walked past the ambulance, where the resident was receiving an oxygen treatment. When they reached the fire engine, Jamie opened the back door and Nathan climbed inside.

  “Obviously, don’t touch anything.”

  “I’m fourteen, not four,” Nathan deadpanned.

  Jamie bit back a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

  Nathan crossed his arms over his blue shirt.

  “I’ll be back soon.” Jamie joined Brody, Leon, and the other chief. “What’s going on?”

  “The fire is out, and we’re running fans to clear out the smoke,” Lance, the Ronks chief, said. “Everything is fine.”

  “How is the woman?” Jamie looked toward the ambulance.

  “I think they’re going to take her to the hospital to be checked out,” Brody said. “They’re worried about smoke inhalation.”

  Jamie shook his head. “I hope she has relatives she can call since her husband is out of town.”

  “They’re working on that,” Lance said. “Her sister lives nearby.”

  Brody folded his arms over his jacket. “Leon told me Nathan Dienner is here.”

  “Ya.” Jamie lifted his helmet. “I didn’t know you’d given him Simeon’s radio.”

  “Is that Simeon Dienner’s younger brother?” Lance asked.

  “Yeah.” Brody leaned on the bumper of the Ronks fire engine. “I thought it might help him feel a connection to his brother if he had his radio. I didn’t know he’d use it to follow us to calls.”

  “He wants to volunteer,” Leon chimed in.

  Brody’s expression brightened. “He should.”

  “But his mother and sister don’t want him to, so his father won’t give him permission to train.” Jamie glanced back toward the truck.

  “Makes sense.” Lance kicked a stone with the toe of his boot. “I’m sure they’re worried about something happening to him.”

  “I’m going to talk to him about not coming out on calls,” Jamie said. “We can drop him home on our way back to the station. I don’t want him out on the road in the dark. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I agree,” Brody said.

  Lance gestured toward the house, where the smoke was now minimal. “You can go. We have it under control.”

  “All right.” Brody shook Lance’s hand. “Take care. I’m sure we’ll see you and your company again soon.”

  Jamie and Leon said good night and headed to the truck. Jamie got in the back with Nathan and Leon slipped into the passenger seat beside Brody.

  “How are you, Nathan?” Brody craned his neck to look at him.

  “I’m okay. How are you?” Nathan looked sheepish as he ran his hands over his trousers as if anticipating a lecture.

  “I’m doing well. I didn’t expect to see you twice today.” Brody smiled. “How’s your family?”

  “Fine.” Nathan cleared his throat. “They’re sleeping, actually.”

  “So no one knows you’re here.” Brody angled his body so he was facing Nathan. “Do you realize how worried your family would be if they woke up and realized you were gone?”

  “We’ve already discussed that,” Jamie cut in. “Right, Nathan?”

  “Yeah.” Nathan looked down at his lap. “I won’t do it again.”

  “Great.” Brody started the engine and steered it to the road.

  When Brody brought the fire engine to a stop in front of the Dienners’ farmhouse a few minutes later, Jamie climbed out and helped Nathan gather his scooter, lantern, and radio.

  Jamie walked up the back porch with Nathan and shook his hand. “It was gut seeing you. Please tell your family I said hello.”

  “Danki. Gut nacht.” Nathan leaned the scooter against the porch posts and Jamie started down the path to the truck.

  “Nathan?”

  Jamie spun at the sound of Kayla’s voice. She stood in the doorway, holding a lantern. She had on the same blue robe and purple scarf she’d worn the night of the Dienner barn fire. Her eyebrows drew together as she studied her brother.

  “What are you doing outside this late?” Her gaze moved to the fire truck in the driveway and she gasped. “What’s going on?”

  “Everything’s okay.” Jamie walked up the path.

  “Jamie?” She smoothed her free hand down the terrycloth belt tied at her waist. “I didn’t see you there.” She looked over at the truck and then back at Jamie once again. “What’s happened?”

  “We just brought Nathan home.” Jamie held up his hands to calm her. “Nothing happened. Nathan just came out to one of our calls nearby.”

  Kayla faced Nathan. “You what?” She paused for a moment as if contemplating what Jamie had said. “So you heard it come over Simeon’s radio, and what? You thought you could help?” Her lips formed a deep frown. “Why would you do that?”

  Nathan stared at the toes of his shoes. The frustration in his expression tugged at Jamie’s heartstrings. The boy had already been lectured by Jamie and Brody.

  “It’s fine.” Jamie leaned on the porch railing. “He knows what he did was dangerous. I don’t think he’ll do it again.”

  Nathan met Jamie’s gaze and his scowl relaxed. “I’m sorry I woke you up, Kay.” Nathan pulled off his reflective vest. “You should go back to bed.”

  Marilyn appeared behind her. “I thought I heard a diesel engine. Nathan? Why are you outside?” She looked at Jamie. “Oh, hello, Jamie. Is there a fire close by?”

  Kayla pointed to her younger brother. “Nathan went out to one of their calls, and they brought him home.”

  Marilyn blinked. “You what?”

  Nathan blew out a deep sigh as he climbed the porch steps. “Can we please talk about this tomorrow?”

  “What do we need to talk about tomorrow?” Willie joined the family in the doorway.

  Jamie took a step back, not wanting to intrude in a family matter. “Gut nacht.” He waved. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Wait!” Kayla called, holding up her hand. “Would you like a snack?”

  “That’s a great idea,” Marilyn said. “Is Brody in the truck? Invite him and anyone else with you too. I can put on some kaffi, and we have desserts from the restaurant. You can visit before you go back to the fire station. I know how hard you volunteers work.”

  “That sounds great.” Jamie smiled at the idea of visiting with Kayla for the second time today. “I’ll go get Brody and Leon.”

  Jamie sat in the Dienners’ kitchen as Kayla filled his mug with hot coffee. The women had rushed away to get dressed before Marilyn brought out a variety of individually wrapped whoopie pies, a chocolate cake, and a shoofly pie. Eva had joined them and placed a pitcher of milk and a sugar bowl in the center of the table.

  “Danki.” Jamie glanced up at Kayla, and she gave him a shy smile, causing his pulse to speed up. While she was always attractive, she somehow seemed even more beautiful than usu
al. Perhaps it was the low light of the lanterns making her eyes an even deeper shade of blue.

  “Gern gschehne.” She began to fill Leon’s mug beside his.

  “Have you had a busy night?” Marilyn cut the chocolate cake and set a piece on Jamie’s plate.

  “No, actually,” Jamie said. “This was our first call today.” He forked a piece of the chocolate cake into his mouth and savored the sweet flavor. “This is appeditlich. Danki.”

  Marilyn nodded toward Kayla. “She’s the expert chocolate kuche baker.”

  “That’s not true.” Kayla’s cheeks flushed, and she was even cuter. “You taught me how to bake.”

  “Ya, and you’re gut at it.” Marilyn placed a piece of cake on Brody’s plate.

  Kayla filled Brody’s mug and then put the percolator back on the stove.

  Jamie glanced toward the doorway that led to the family room. Willie stood with Nathan, speaking in a hushed tone. After a few moments, Nathan disappeared and footfalls echoed up a staircase. Willie entered the kitchen with a scowl. He stepped over to the counter and retrieved a mug from the cabinet.

  “Kaffi?” Kayla asked her father.

  “Ya.” He smiled, but his eyes reflected a serious mood. “Danki.”

  She filled his mug and he sat down at the table beside Brody.

  “So what call were you responding to?” Willie took a sip as Marilyn slipped a piece of chocolate cake on a plate for him.

  As Brody told them, Jamie finished his piece of chocolate cake and then chose a pumpkin whoopie pie from the tray. As he began to eat it he looked toward the kitchen counter, where Kayla stood with her mother and Eva. She smiled at him, and his thoughts spun.

  For the first time in years, Jamie felt the urge to date. He hadn’t dated since he was nineteen, and even then, the relationship was brief and more superficial than deep and meaningful. But he didn’t crave a superficial relationship with Kayla. No, he wanted a true relationship with her. Still, he couldn’t fathom how he would fit Kayla into his chaotic life and crazy schedule. Did he have time to have a meaningful relationship with a woman as special as Kayla Dienner?

  Besides, why would he even deserve a relationship after the way his mother died? The familiar guilt suddenly overwhelmed him. How could he even consider romantic feelings for Kayla after what he’d done? When his family needed him?

  “Right, Jamie?”

  “What?” Jamie’s gaze snapped to Brody’s. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear what you said.”

  A swift, sharp burst of pain exploded in Jamie’s ankle as someone kicked him under the table, and he barely suppressed a yelp. Had Leon kicked him? He’d address that mystery later. He remained stony-faced and focused on Brody.

  “I said we’ve had a fair share of stove fires.” Brody lifted his mug.

  “Ya, ya. That’s very true.” Jamie cleared his throat and hoped his cheeks didn’t betray his effort to conceal his embarrassment. “They’re the most common fire calls lately.”

  “Exactly.” Brody looked over at Willie. “How is the restaurant doing? The parking lot is always full when I drive past it.”

  “Ya, it’s very busy.” Willie rested his hands on his mug. “The summer tourists seem to enjoy our menu.”

  Jamie swallowed a sigh of relief as Willie discussed their authentic menu and Brody listened with interest. He caught Leon watching him in his peripheral vision and he turned toward his friend.

  “You all right?” Leon’s question was barely a whisper.

  “I’m fine. Why?” Jamie kept his response quiet.

  “Just checking.” Leon raised his eyebrows as he lifted his mug to his lips.

  “More kaffi?” Eva asked, carrying the percolator to the table.

  “Oh, no, danki.” Jamie shook his head. “I might not sleep tonight if I drink too much caffeine.”

  “Of course.” Eva turned to Leon.

  “No, thanks.” Leon placed his hand over the rim of his mug. “I won’t sleep either.”

  “I understand.” She placed the percolator on the table and gestured toward the shoofly pie. “Would you like some pie? I can cut it for you.”

  “No, danki.” Jamie shook his head. “The whoopie pie and chocolate kuche were outstanding, but I’m full.”

  “Ya, they were.” Leon patted his abdomen. “Danki for the appeditich snack. It really hit the spot.”

  “Gern gschehne.”

  Kayla stepped over to the table. “I’ll put these whoopie pies in a container for you to take back to the station.”

  “You don’t need to do that.” Jamie shook his head. “You already brought us a meal earlier today, and you fed us tonight. You don’t need to send food with us too.”

  “I don’t mind.” Kayla found a container in one of the kitchen cabinets and placed all the whoopie pies inside.

  “You can give them the shoofly pie too,” Marilyn suggested. “Eva said she’ll bake a fresh one for the restaurant in the morning.”

  “You’re spoiling us, Marilyn,” Brody said.

  “We enjoy doing it, right?” Marilyn looked around at her family.

  “Ya. We’re happy to support the volunteer station that has helped us so much,” Kayla said.

  “Ya, that’s true.” Eva walked over to Brody. “Would you like anything else to eat?”

  “No,” Brody said. “Everything was great.”

  “We’ll wrap it up then.” Kayla brought cling wrap from the pantry and began to cover the pie plate.

  Willie patted Brody on the shoulder. “We’ll always find ways to help you.”

  “Thank you.” Brody glanced across the table at Jamie and Leon. “Are you two ready to head back to the station?”

  “Ya.” Leon pushed back his chair. “We should get some rest in case the radio goes off again.” He glanced over at the women. “Danki again for the kaffi and dessert. It was nice visiting with you.”

  “Yes, it was.” Brody stood. “I’ll be sure to come by the restaurant again soon.”

  Willie stood too. “I’ll walk you out.”

  The three men walked toward the mudroom, and after a moment, the screen door opened. Marilyn trailed after them with the container of whoopie pies and pie plate in her hands. “Don’t forget the food.”

  As Jamie began to gather plates, out of the corner of his eye he spotted a silent conversation between Kayla and Eva, complete with animated expressions and arm gestures.

  Kayla walked over to him a moment later. “You don’t need to do that. I’ve got it.”

  “I don’t want to leave you and your mamm with this mess.” He lifted the plates. “Let me at least put these on the counter for you.” He carried the stack to the counter and then faced Kayla and Eva.

  Eva looked at each of them and then gestured toward a door. “I’m going to go check on Junior in our apartment. It was nice seeing you, Jamie.” She shook his hand. “I hope you have a quiet night at the station.”

  “Danki. It was nice seeing you too.”

  Jamie turned toward Kayla after Eva left the room. “Danki for inviting us in.”

  She folded her arms over her green dress. “It was the least I could do.”

  “What do you mean?” He crossed the room and stood in front of her.

  “I appreciate how you took care of mei bruder tonight.”

  “I really didn’t do much.”

  Kayla gestured toward the ceiling as if indicating her bedroom above them. “I woke up to the sound of the diesel engine, and I thought the worst. When I looked out the window and didn’t see lights, I felt a little better, but I was still concerned. I’m thankful it was a friendly call.” She lowered her voice. “Mei daed is going to speak to Nathan alone later. He said he’s going to take the radio away from Nathan if he responds to a call again.”

  “I don’t think he will.” Jamie rested his forearms on the back rung of the kitchen chair and leaned forward. “I talked to him, and Brody did too. I’m sure your daed will drive the message home.”

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p; “Gut.” A deep frown pulled at her mouth. “I can’t stand the thought of Nathan sneaking out and running the risk of getting hurt.”

  “I think we can have faith in him.” He folded his hands together as he studied her face. He yearned to ask if he could visit her tomorrow night, but his days at the farm after being on duty were always extra busy. And he would most likely go to bed earlier for lack of sleep. He would have to wait for another night. But the notion of not seeing her for a few days sent a pang of regret lancing through him. How had he become so attached to Kayla so quickly?

  “Would it be all right if Eva and I brought a meal over to your family tomorrow night?”

  Jamie was so startled by the question that he stood up straight. It was as if she’d read his thoughts and offered a solution. “That would be wunderbaar.”

  “Great.” She rubbed her hands together.

  Leon stuck his head into the kitchen. “Are you coming with us, Jamie?”

  “Ya.” Leon left and Jamie stepped toward the door. “Thanks again.”

  “Gern gschehne.” She smiled. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, then.”

  “I look forward to seeing you too.” Jamie followed Leon outside and said good night to Marilyn and Willie.

  As Jamie walked with Brody and Leon to the fire engine, Brody’s phone began to ring. He answered it, and Leon motioned for Jamie to slow his pace and allow Brody to move ahead of them.

  “I’m sorry I kicked you earlier.” Leon’s voice was soft.

  “Why did you?”

  “Because you were so busy staring at Kayla you didn’t even hear what Brody was saying to you.” Leon stopped and faced him. “It’s obvious you and Kayla like each other. It just wasn’t the best time to bring that detail to light.”

  Jamie nodded. “You’re right.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Leon held up his hand. “I think it’s great you’ve finally found someone. She’s an amazing maedel. Don’t let her slip through your fingers. If you do, you’ll regret it.”

  “Hey!” Brody called from the fire engine. “Are you two riding or walking back to the station?”