“But it has the wear and warm look of loving use. In some ways I like it more than the ones in your workshop.”
Her response surprised him. “I made it as a gift for my daed.”
“He liked to play?”
Seth nodded. “We played often, right here at this table. He’s the one who taught me how.” Then he waved a hand. “You have the first move.”
Four moves into their game Seth could see that she knew the basic moves of chess but wondered if she understood the strategy part. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to her moves. Seven moves in he realized he was in serious trouble.
He eventually won the game but he had to work for it and he still wasn’t sure what kind of strategy she’d used.
“You said your grossdaadi taught you?”
“Jah. And Edna’s Ivan taught me his own approach that summer I stayed with them as well. But I’ve always had my own way of looking at the game. Ivan called it my strategic scattershot approach.”
She said that as if she considered it high praise.
He leaned back. “I want a rematch tomorrow.”
She stood. “I’d like that. But now I have some mending to do and a supper to prepare.”
Had she just dismissed him?
While Seth put away the game, Phoebe went into the living room to find Edna asleep in a recliner, gently snoring.
Leaving her friend to her nap, Phoebe quietly pulled out the sewing basket where the Beilers had placed anything that needed mending. While she sewed on buttons and restitched ripped seams she thought about the time spent with Seth. She was over her irritation at his stubborn attitude about her attempts to make their lunch more enjoyable rather than just something to gulp down and move on from. He would come around in time. And she’d really enjoyed their chess match. It didn’t bother her that he’d beaten her because she knew she’d played her best and he’d done her the honor of playing to win. It had been wonderful fun to pit her wits against his and see his measured approach put into practice on more than just lists and schedules.
“You must really enjoy mending.”
The dry comment pulled Phoebe’s thoughts back to the present. She looked across the room and saw Edna smiling at her. “What makes you say that?”
“I just thought, from that big smile on your face, you must be getting a great deal of pleasure from what you’re doing.”
“Mamm always says a job well done is a pleasure unto itself.” Which was certainly true even if it wasn’t the reason for her smile.
“That for sure and for certain sounds like Verena Kropf.”
What did she mean by that?
Edna let the foot of the recliner down and stood. “Have you given any thought to what you want to prepare for supper? Or do you need me to read from Seth’s list of suggestions?”
“I think I’d rather try something new.” She knotted the thread and snipped it as she finished with the last button. “There’s an idea I had for the pork chops I saw in the freezer.” She gave Edna a hopeful look. “I may need a little help.”
“Of course.”
She closed the sewing basket and stood. “But first, there’s something else I want to do before the boys get home.”
Phoebe opened the oven to check on the peanut butter cookies just as the outside door opened.
“Hello.” Mark’s voice rang out from the mudroom. The salutation was quickly followed by “Mmmm, something smells gut.”
She placed the sheet pan on the stovetop. “You’re just in time. I was looking for a taste tester for these cookies.”
“Well, you found one.” Mark headed for the stove, his eyes focused on the cookies.
She quickly stepped in his path. “They just came out of the oven—give them a few minutes to cool.” She waved to the refrigerator. “Pour yourself a glass of milk while you’re waiting.”
Mark gave her a mock-pout then moved to the cabinet where the mugs were stored. Once he’d filled the mug he was back at the stove helping himself to two of the warm treats. “These are really gut.”
Phoebe used a spatula to transfer the rest of the cookies to a platter. “Glad you like them, but leave some for your brieder, please.”
Mark nodded, then gestured toward her hand. “How’s your burn feeling?”
“It stings a little, especially if I forget and grab something heavy with it. But it’s not too bad.”
“Gut. If you need help with anything, don’t be afraid to ask for it.”
“Danke, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Mark reached for another cookie and she put one hand on her hip. “That’s the last one. You need to save some for your brieder.”
He grinned at that. “I almost feel sorry for them since they won’t get this soft, fresh-from-the-oven tastiness.” He bit into the treat. “Almost.”
She shook her head at him and made shooing motions. “I think it’s time you move away from that platter.”
He finished off the cookie and drained his mug of milk then set it in the sink. “It’s time for me to get to work anyway.” He moved to the corkboard. “Let’s see what task Seth put at the top of the list today.”
