After the meal, Phoebe pushed away from the table. “I believe it’s my turn to wash the dishes.”
Mamm tapped her chin. “But your hand. Perhaps you should let me—”
“My hand is fine, and you and Rhoda took care of preparing breakfast. I can take care of the dishes.” She saw the startled looks on the faces around the table and winced. She’d not only spoken firmly but she’d also interrupted her mamm.
Before she could offer an apology, though, Mamm nodded. “Very well, you wash the dishes. I’ll dry and Rhoda can clear the table.”
Happy with the small victory, Phoebe went to the counter to fill the sink.
She enjoyed working side by side with Mamm, making small talk about the day’s chores, the neighbors’ new boppli and what they would cook for lunch. She didn’t even mind that Mamm was ready to grab each dish almost before she could rinse it.
Just as they finished, Paul reentered the kitchen headed for the basement. Then he paused for a moment. “Phoebe, I almost forgot, Edna called a little while ago. She says she needs to speak to you and will call back at nine o’clock.”
Daed and Paul operated a harness repair business from the farm so they had a phone in the work shed for business purposes.
Phoebe stiffened. Was something wrong? Though Edna always seemed spry and full of life, she was older than Mamm and Daed. And she was like a grossmammi to her. “Did she say what it was about?”
“Nee.” He shrugged. “But she didn’t seem upset so I don’t think it’s bad news.”
Phoebe relaxed.
Still, what could have prompted Edna to call her?
Phoebe was in the workshop, standing by the phone, a full ten minutes before nine o’clock just in case Edna called early. She paced back and forth in front of the worktable where the phone rested. The familiar earthy smell of leather and the musky scent of mink oil tickled her nose. Daed and Paul were on the other side of the workshop, giving her enough distance for a bit of privacy. But she could feel the occasional sideways glances they were giving her. No doubt they were as curious about her phone call as she was.
Four years ago she’d moved in with Edna and her husband, Ivan, for a few months to help out as Ivan lay on his sickbed, preparing for the end of his time on earth. She and Edna had grown very close that summer, sharing hopes, dreams and fears through those long, hushed days of vigil.
Edna had never made Phoebe feel inadequate or clumsy, not then and not at any time since. Truth to tell, she’d had Phoebe take care of many housekeeping and cooking tasks on her own. She’d made it clear that she didn’t believe Phoebe’s difficulties with reading and writing meant she was simple-minded, especially since, by Edna’s reckoning at least, she seemed competent in other aspects of her life. And strangely enough, Phoebe never felt particularly slow-witted when she was in Edna’s company.
Edna had left Bergamot three weeks ago for an extended visit to family she had in Sweetbrier Creek, a community about ninety miles away, and Phoebe missed her dearly.
When the phone finally rang Phoebe jumped and then pounced, almost knocking the phone from the table. The heat climbed in her cheeks as she caught the raised-brow look Daed sent her way.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded breathless even to her own ears.
“Phoebe, it’s so gut to hear your voice.”
“And yours too.” And it was. Edna’s voice was familiar, warm and comforting, just like a soft-from-use quilt on a chilly winter’s day. “How are you enjoying the visit with your shveshtra?”
“It’s been gut seeing everyone and catching up with what’s happened in their lives. But I’m actually staying in the dawdi haus of one of my niece’s sons. There are six Beiler brieder, ages twelve to twenty-nine, living alone without parents or any womenfolk to help them, so I’ve been keeping house for them for the past few weeks.”
Phoebe smiled. She imagined with Edna’s no-nonsense approach she’d gotten that household of untamed menfolk in order in no time at all.
“That’s actually why I’ve called you.”
Phoebe’s smile faded. “I don’t understand.”
“I had a little accident last nacht.” At Phoebe’s exclamation she hurried to explain. “It’s nothing serious, but I won’t be able to use my right hand for five or six weeks and these boys truly need someone to help them out.”
What did that have to do with her? But before she could ask, Edna answered her unspoken question. “I think you would be the perfect person to take on the job.”
Chapter 2
Phoebe straightened. Surely she hadn’t heard that right. “Me? But there must be some family member, or at least someone who lives closer, who would be better.”
“There are no cousins or close relatives available right now without placing a burden on them, and nee, I actually don’t think there would be anyone who would be a better fit.”
That seemed a strange thing to say. “Still, I imagine there are any number of girls who could serve as housekeeper, especially under your supervision.”
“True. But these brieder need more than a housekeeper. They need someone who knows how to care for them in other ways. Seth, the oldest, has his hands full keeping the farm running, working on his side business, and trying to be a daed to the others. The next two brieder live at home but have jobs outside the farm. The middle boy is on rumspringa and is apprenticing with a local furniture maker. The two youngest are still in school.”
“Sounds like a busy household. But I still don’t understand—”
“Seth is doing the best job he can, but these brieder, especially the younger ones, need someone to mother them, they need someone who’ll understand how much to discipline, how much to teach and how much to let them be boys. And you are perfect for that.”
Phoebe wasn’t sure she agreed with her friend on that point—she couldn’t even convince her own mamm that she was capable. But rather than argue the point she moved on. “Even so, Sweetbrier Creek is a long way from Bergamot and Christmas will be here soon. I don’t see how I could go.”
“Ach, think of it as an adventure. I know what your life is like. How would you like to spend some time in a place where no one knows anything about you and has no set expectations?”
That gave Phoebe pause. What would that be like?
“Besides,” Edna added, “it would give us a chance to spend some time together. The dawdi haus has an extra bedroom.”
Phoebe was beginning to warm up to the idea. “I’d like some time to think about it if that’s okay. And I’d need to discuss it with Mamm and Daed.”
“Of course. Is one day enough? I can call you tomorrow at the same time.”
