“Shall I set these in your room?”
“Danke, but I can take them from here.”
“Then I’ll leave you to get settled in.” And with that he turned and made his exit.
“Your room is the one on the left.” Edna gestured toward the hallway as she put a kettle on the stove. “Put away your things. I’ll have the tea ready by the time you get back.”
Ten minutes later Phoebe was sitting across the small table from Edna, a cup of tea in hand. “Danke. This tea is wonderful gut.”
Her friend nodded acknowledgment. “Are you ready to take on this job?”
“For sure and for certain.” Then she grimaced. “Though I don’t think I made the best of impressions with Seth.”
Edna waved her gut hand. “Ach, don’t let that worry you. And it was a wonderful sweet gesture for you to bring the cookies in the first place.”
Phoebe decided to change the subject. “I take it Seth is the only one of the brieder at home right now?”
“Jah.” Edna took a sip and then set her cup down. “You can look for Mark to get home shortly after lunch, and the two scholars will be home once school lets out. Levi’s and Daniel’s hours are a little less predictable, though they are usually home in time for supper. But for now it’s just Seth.”
“You said earlier that he was in his workshop. Does he work at something besides the farm?”
“Jah. He’s very talented. He makes hand-carved chess sets that are sought after, especially this time of year.”
Chess sets—how intriguing. “I’d like to see some of his work.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to show it to you if you ask him.”
Phoebe took a sip of her tea, deciding she’d get to know the eldest Beiler before she asked.
Seth settled on the chair at his worktable, picked up a bolt of red velvet and measured a piece to fit the tray where the game pieces would be stored. Lining the drawers, creating the painstaking nests for each game piece, was his least favorite part of the job but it had to be done. As he worked, he thought about the newcomer.
To say Phoebe wasn’t what he’d expected was an understatement. For one thing she wasn’t anywhere near Edna’s age, in fact from all appearances she was much younger than even him. Thinking back on his conversation with Edna yesterday, though, she hadn’t mentioned Phoebe’s age, only that she was a friend. He’d just figured that that meant she was someone close to Edna’s own age. But he suspected she’d known exactly the assumption he’d made and had done nothing to correct it. Sometimes he thought Edna had an odd sense of humor. If she’d wanted to throw him off balance, she’d certainly accomplished that.
But none of that was Phoebe’s fault so it wouldn’t be fair to hold his aenti’s bit of mischief against her. As far as appearances went, Phoebe was slightly built and couldn’t be any taller than five foot four, but Edna was proof that stature shouldn’t affect her ability to care for the house. And she was pretty enough he supposed, but not such a beauty that she would be a distraction to his brieder.
The incident with the cookies seemed to have unsettled her, which was understandable. She was no doubt nervous to be coming to an unfamiliar household full of menfolk.
What did concern him was that he’d sensed a fragility about her. And it wasn’t just her small stature. Rather it seemed a frailty of temperament.
Phoebe seemed to lack the spirit and strength of purpose he felt she would need if she planned to manage his household and keep his brieder in line. Edna had assured him her friend was up to the task but now that he’d met the girl for himself he wasn’t so sure.
To be fair, it might just be that she was tired from her trip, and she might even be feeling some concern over what awaited her here. Perhaps she’d show more determination and mettle once she’d settled in.
Last night Seth had informed his brieder that Edna had found them a new housekeeper, and the news had been met with relief and jubilation.
How would they react when they saw how young Phoebe was? She couldn’t be much older than Levi and Daniel, if that.
Could this young woman possibly have the presence to command the attention of his active, independent-minded brieder?
Chapter 6
Phoebe stood and carried her teacup to the sink, then rinsed it. “It’s nearing lunchtime,” she said as she dried the cup. “Perhaps I should get lunch ready for the three of us.”
Edna raised a brow. “Seth usually just eats a sandwich. And he claims to prefer to eat alone.”
“Then I’ll see that he has a wonderful gut sandwich and maybe something extra to go with it.” She paused, considering. “And since this is my first day, I’m sure he’ll be all right if we join him for lunch, just so he and I can get to know each other better.”
Edna seemed amused by her statement but merely said, “Then kum, I’ll show you the kitchen.”
Since the dawdi haus shared a porch with the main house, Edna led her out the door, across the porch and into the kitchen.
As soon as she stepped inside Phoebe looked around, noting the similarities to and differences from Mamm’s kitchen. This kitchen was larger with more cabinets. But there was no sign of a stairway to the basement so it must be located elsewhere. The stove seemed similar, which was gut, she wouldn’t have to learn something new.
But the biggest difference was the feeling it evoked. Mamm’s kitchen had a large calendar with pictures of landscapes on it and a clock with a brass pendulum that ticked loud enough to provide a backdrop for the other sounds. There was also a string of birthday cards hung over the window. The cards were changed out as more recent ones came in, but it was always crowded. All together it gave the kitchen a cozy, welcoming look.
This kitchen was stark. The only thing on the wall was a plain wooden perpetual calendar that hadn’t been updated in several months. The mudroom, which was easily visible from the kitchen, had wall hooks for hats and coats and a corkboard with notes pinned on it. That was it. Perhaps they saved the more decorative items for the living room.
Edna took a seat at the large wooden table. “Why don’t you go through the pantry and cabinets to get familiar with what and where things are here?”
Conscious of the fact that Seth would be arriving soon for lunch, Phoebe opened doors and gave the various contents a cursory once-over.
Then she turned back to Edna. “I saw some sliced ham in the refrigerator. I assume that’s what Seth likes on his sandwich.”
“Jah. He also adds pickles and mustard.”
“And what do you like on yours?”
