The Fruits of Fall Read online

  “Ya.” As she took another bite of her burger, her stomach fluttered with the thought of being alone with Wayne.

  Tena sat on the glider on her great-aunt’s back porch and pushed it into motion as the cicadas serenaded her. The soft yellow glow of a lantern at her feet was her only light aside from the stars twinkling above her. She settled back in the seat and breathed in the warm air and scent of earth still moist from the rainstorm.

  Footsteps crunched up the rock path, and Tena sat up. She leaned forward as the silhouette of a man approached the porch steps. She breathed a sigh of relief when Wayne’s handsome face came into view.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi.” He pointed to the glider. “May I join you?”

  “Of course.” She scooted over to the far side of the seat, and he sank down beside her, the glider shifting under his weight.

  “I just said good night to Alex out in the barn.”

  She bristled at the mention of Alex’s name. She had to change the subject—fast.

  “Did you fix the fencing today?” She angled her body toward him.

  “Ya.” He rubbed his clean-shaven chin.

  “Great.”

  “Alex was a gut help too. And it seemed like the weeding we did was calming for him.” Wayne nodded toward the barn. “I think he likes it here with us.”

  Tena’s smile faded as all-too-familiar apprehension churned inside her. She turned toward the barn as she imagined Alex sleeping on the mattress in there. Although all her friends seemed to trust him, she still couldn’t stop that niggle of worry at the back of her mind. Alex might try to take advantage of her and her aunt.

  “Were you upset with me earlier?” Wayne’s question broke through her thoughts.

  “No.” She shook her head. Although she was annoyed with Wayne for inviting Alex to eat with them and then stay—even though Aenti Emma had insisted as well—she didn’t want to argue with him before he went home. Not only did she enjoy spending time with Wayne, but she also felt safe when he was nearby.

  “Okay.” He shifted closer to her, and his leg brushed against hers. “I was worried I had done something to make you angry, and it was killing me that you wouldn’t talk to me about it.”

  She blinked as she looked up at him. Why would Wayne be so concerned about her silence?

  It didn’t matter. She wasn’t staying here long, and she wasn’t interested in getting her heart broken again.

  “You can always talk to me if something is bothering you,” Wayne continued, oblivious to her thoughts. “You can trust me.”

  He touched her hand, and she jumped with a start, pulling her hand away from him.

  “I’m so sorry.” His eyes widened. “I didn’t mean to be so forward.”

  “It’s fine.” Tena stood, her heart thumping as she cleared her throat. “It’s getting late, and we have to be up early tomorrow for church. I really should head to bed.”

  “Oh. Right.” He stood. “It was nice spending time with you.”

  “Ya.” She shook his hand, and when their skin touched, a tingle raced up her arm. “I’ll see you in church tomorrow.”

  “Gut nacht.” He pulled a flashlight out of his pocket and then jogged down the steps and up the path toward his buggy.

  She picked up the lantern and headed inside, locking the back door before making her way into the kitchen, where she ran her hands down her face as her head swam with confusion. Why had Wayne’s touch affected her so much? She couldn’t allow herself to have feelings for another man. She couldn’t allow her heart to trust another man.

  “Tena?” Aenti Emma called from somewhere in the house. “Is that you?”

  “Ya, Aenti Emma.” Tena stood up straight and squared her shoulders. “I just locked the back door. I’ll check the front door before I go upstairs.”

  “Come in here before you go upstairs,” Aenti Emma called.

  Tena stepped into the doorway of Aenti Emma’s first-floor bedroom, where she sat propped up on her bed, reading a book.

  Aenti Emma set it on her nightstand before looking at Tena. “You’ve seemed distracted all day. Are you all right?”

  “Ya.” Tena tapped her finger on the doorframe. “I’m fine.”

  Aenti Emma studied her for a moment, and Tena twisted one of the ribbons on her prayer covering around her finger.

  “It’s obvious to me that you’re not happy Alex is still staying here,” Aenti Emma began, her expression pleasant. “I know you weren’t pleased when I let him wear your onkel’s clothes, but I felt in my heart that helping him was the right thing to do. In fact, I believe your onkel Henry would have done the same thing.”

  Guilt, hot and searing, sliced through Tena, but she pushed it away. “What about what happened to Micah?”

  “Not all Englishers are dangerous. You need to realize that. Also, Alex won’t be here forever. He’ll move on soon, but I’ll sleep well knowing I did my best to help him. I just need you to be patient until he leaves. Would you do that for me?”

  “Of course.” Tena nodded. “This is your haus, so it’s your choice.”

  Aenti Emma tilted her head. “While you’re living here, it’s your haus, too, mei liewe. Now get some rest. Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht.”

  As Tena got ready for bed, she hoped Aenti Emma was right that Alex would decide to move on soon. She wanted the reminder of how that Englisher had hurt her brother out of her sight for good.

  Wayne smiled as Tena walked toward his table with a carafe of coffee after the church service. She looked radiant in a bright-yellow dress with her gorgeous hair peeking out from under her prayer covering. She was so beautiful.

  “You’re staring at her.” Ephraim bumped his shoulder against Wayne’s. “You really need to look away before it gets awkward.”

  “He’s way past awkward,” Jerry chimed in with a snort.

  Wayne rolled his eyes and looked down at his plate.

  “Have you told her how you feel?” Ephraim asked.

  “No.” Wayne shook his head. “I tried to last night, but she cut me off before I could get the words out.” The truth was he’d chickened out. He had planned to ask her if she’d be willing to date him, but he just couldn’t seem to form the right words. His courage had evaporated as soon as he sat down beside her on the glider.

  “Oh.” Jerry pretended to stab himself in the heart. “That’s harsh.”

  “Be quiet,” Wayne muttered. “Here she comes.”

  “Kaffi?” Tena held up the carafe.

  “Ya, please.” Wayne handed her his cup. “You look nice today.”

  “Danki.” Her cheeks blushed bright pink, and she looked adorable. She filled Ephraim’s cup and then reached across the table and filled Jerry’s. “I’ll see you at Aenti Emma’s haus later.”

  “I look forward to it,” Wayne told her as she moved down the table.

  “You need to ask her to date you,” Jerry said.

  Wayne nodded, but he had to find the courage. “I have an idea for the garden I want to run by you before I bring it up at the committee meeting today.”

  “What is it?” Ephraim took a sip of his coffee.

  “I’m sure you noticed Alex worked hard in the garden yesterday,” Wayne began, and Jerry and Ephraim nodded. “I was thinking maybe we could pay him with meals and a place to stay if he worked in the garden every day. He could keep up with the weeding we have a hard time doing since we’re not there every day, and we’d be helping him by giving him food and a dry place to sleep. He could also do some of the watering Emma and Tena have been doing by themselves when we can’t be there.”

  Jerry nodded slowly. “I think that’s a great idea. We’d be giving him the chance no one else has. It would be great for his self-esteem.” He tapped the table. “But you need to make sure Emma is okay with having Alex stay longer. It’s her haus and barn.”

  Ephraim hesitated and then took another sip of coffee.

  “I’ve known you since we were s
even years old,” Wayne told Ephraim. “I can tell when you’re holding something back. What are you thinking?”

  “I think you also need to discuss this with Tena before you bring it up at the meeting.” Ephraim set his cup on the table. “Mandy said she got the impression Tena isn’t too froh that Alex is living at her aenti’s haus.”

  Wayne nodded. He couldn’t assume Tena had let go her fear of Alex. “I’ll get to Emma’s early and talk to both her and Tena before anyone else arrives.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Tena stepped to the back door when she heard a knock. Her heart skipped a beat when she found Wayne standing on the porch. “Hi, Wayne. You’re early. Come on in.”

  “Danki.” He removed his straw hat and followed her into the kitchen, where Aenti Emma sat looking through a cookbook at the table.

  She smiled up at him. “How are you, Wayne? I didn’t have a chance to speak to you at church today.”

  “I’m fine. I was wondering if I could talk to you and Tena before everyone else gets here.”

  Tena sank into her usual chair and patted the chair beside her. “Sit.”

  “Danki.” Once seated, he folded his hands on the table. “I’ve been doing some thinking about Alex, and I want to get your opinions—and your permission, Emma—before I bring this up at the meeting this afternoon. I have an idea, but it will affect you two more than any of us on the garden committee.”

  Tena felt her lips turn down as apprehension unfurled like a flower. She’d barely managed to get over leaving Alex alone on Aenti Emma’s property while they went to church. Now she had a feeling Wayne’s idea was something she wasn’t going to like.

  “What are you thinking?” Aenti Emma asked him.

  “Alex did a great job working in the garden yesterday,” Wayne began. “Since he doesn’t have a job, and the rest of us can’t be here to help every day, I was thinking we could pay him to work in the garden by feeding him and letting him stay in the barn. This way he would have a safe place to live, we wouldn’t have as much to do on Saturdays, and you two wouldn’t have to do so much watering. We can use part of the profits from our sales at the roadside stand to pay for the cost of his food so it won’t come out of your pocket.”

  “What?” Tena asked as anguish rolled through her. “You want him to stay, and you want to pay him?” She divided a look between her aunt and Wayne as her body began to tremble.

  “That’s right. Are you okay?” Wayne’s face clouded with apparent concern. But if he were concerned about her, why would he suggest such a thing?

  Tena glanced at Aenti Emma, whose eyes were focused on her. Then she looked back at Wayne.

  “Alex makes me naerfich.” Tena picked up a napkin and began to shred it as she tried to sort through her jumbled thoughts. “I’m not comfortable when he’s around.”

  “Has he done anything to threaten you?” Wayne’s words were slow and measured.

  “No.” Tena shook her head. “It’s just a feeling I get.”

  “It’s okay.” Aenti Emma patted her hand. “I told you, he won’t hurt us.”

  Tena tried to clear her throat past the knot of anxiety swelling there.

  “I don’t think he’ll ever try to hurt you,” Wayne said. “I’ve spoken to Alex quite a bit, and he seems like a gut man. I wouldn’t suggest making this offer if I didn’t feel you’d both be safe.” Wayne toward Aenti Emma. “What do you think, Emma? Should we offer Alex the job if everyone on the committee agrees?”

  “I think it’s a gut idea,” Aenti Emma said.

  Tena’s gaze snapped to her aunt’s as distress weighed down her shoulders.

  “I think Alex might appreciate the job.” Aenti Emma stood. “You all need to vote on it and then decide, but I’ll support whatever you want to do.” She pointed toward the doorway. “I’m going to rest in my room until your freinden get here.”

  As Aenti Emma left the kitchen, Tena had the feeling she was giving her and Wayne a chance to talk alone. Hank scampered after Aenti Emma, his tail standing up as straight as a cornstalk.

  Tena stood. “I should start getting our supper ready.”

  “Wait.” Wayne followed her to the counter, and his eyes seemed to plead with her. “I want to talk to you. I need you to feel comfortable with this plan.”

  Tena leaned back against the counter and hugged her arms to her waist. “I’ve already told you how I feel. I’m not comfortable around Englishers, and I can’t help it.”

  “Can you tell me why?”

  While she longed to tell him what happened to her brother, she couldn’t form the words. It felt too personal, too raw. She turned her head away.

  “It’s okay.” He rubbed her arm, and she relished the chaste intimacy. “I’m glad you’re being honest with me about how you feel.” He paused. “But I feel in my heart that God is calling us to help Alex, and I can’t shake that feeling. I prayed about it last night, and I prayed about it in church today. I got the same answer each time, so I believe I’m on the right path.” He reached over and took her hands in his. “I need you to support me on this, Tena. I can’t do this without your approval.”

  Her lower lip trembled as she looked into his eyes. How could she possibly tell him no when he believed he was doing God’s work? Her voice stalled in her throat as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

  “Please, Tena.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Will you support me on this?”

  “Ya. On one condition.” Her voice croaked.

  “Anything.”

  “If I feel threatened by anything Alex says or does, you have to tell him to leave.”

  “Of course.” He nodded. “I would never put you or Emma at risk.”

  “Then you have my support.”

  “Danki!” He pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

  As she breathed in his spicy scent, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment, but then she pushed away from him. What was she doing? Asking for another broken heart?

  “Did I do something wrong?” His eyes searched hers.

  “No.” She shook her head. “I made a casserole yesterday, and I need to turn on the oven to heat it up.”

  He followed her to the counter. “What can I do to help?”

  “Why don’t you get the plates and utensils ready?” She pointed to the cabinets.

  Tena sat at the table beside Wayne during the meeting. She tried to keep a smile on her face as her friends discussed their weekly business. Then Wayne presented his idea.

  When he was done, Tena glanced around the table, hoping at least one of her friends would agree with her point of view. But everyone nodded in agreement with Wayne.

  “I think it’s a wunderbaar idea.” Mandy looked at Tena. “But does everyone agree?”

  Tena nodded as she looked down at the table.

  “Have you discussed it with Emma?” Ephraim chimed in.

  “Ya, he has.” Aenti Emma stepped into the room with Hank at her heels. “I’m fine with the idea as long as everyone else agrees.” She looked over at Tena just as Mandy had, and Tena gave her a quick nod.

  “Does anyone want to discuss it further?” Wayne asked, and no one responded. “Ephraim, I guess we can vote, then.”

  “Will everyone in favor of having Alex work on the garden in exchange for room and board please raise your hand?” Ephraim said.

  When all her friends raised their hands, Tena lifted hers in solidarity.

  “It’s settled, then.” Ephraim looked at Wayne. “Will you tell Alex the news?”

  “I’ll go now, and then he can eat with us.” Wayne stood and left the room.

  As Tena removed the casserole from the oven, she tried to convince herself that Wayne’s confidence in Alex was warranted.

  Alex had left a note in the barn saying he didn’t want to disturb their meeting to let them know, but he was going for a walk. The group decided to go ahead with their meal when Emma said she’d save a plate for him.

&nbs
p; Wayne was certain Tena’s smile was disingenuous as the group talked and laughed during supper. She participated in the conversations swirling around the table, but her anxiety felt like a third person sitting between them. She told him she supported this plan, but her behavior said otherwise. He had to keep working on getting her to open up to him. She was holding something back, something that had to do with Alex. And he was determined to find out what it was.

  After they’d eaten the meatball casserole and brownies she and Emma had prepared, the women began cleaning the kitchen and the men moved to the porch.

  Outside, Wayne leaned against the railing while everyone else took a seat on the rocking chairs and glider.

  “Are you going to go talk to Alex now?” Ephraim asked. “He’s probably come back.”

  “Ya.” Wayne looked out toward the barn.

  “Wayne.” Mandy stood in the doorway holding a fork, a bottle of water, and a plate with a mountain of casserole and a large brownie. “Take this to Alex.”

  “Danki.” Wayne took what she’d offered and headed to the barn.

  “I have supper for you,” he said once inside.

  Alex looked up from a book he was reading while sitting on the air mattress. “Thank you.” He took the plate and fork, and Wayne sat the bottle of water on the floor.

  “How has your day been?” Wayne sat on a nearby stool.

  “Quiet.” Alex ate a forkful of the casserole. “This is good.”

  “Tena is a great cook.” Wayne couldn’t stop a smile. What would it be like to date a woman like Tena? His heart seemed to swell at the thought. He had to find the fortitude to ask her if she would. “I want to discuss something with you.”

  Alex’s expression fell. “I was planning on leaving tomorrow. I just wanted to ask Emma if I could stay one more night.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask you to leave.” Wayne rested his ankle on his opposite knee. “We’re wondering if you’d like to stay indefinitely, in exchange for doing some work in the garden.”

  Alex studied Wayne with what looked like suspicion. “What do you mean?”