Chapter 5
“Martin, you mustn’t push the buggy up and down the grocery store aisles for me,” Patti said as they meandered near the canned food aisle of Walnut Creek Cheese.
As usual, Martin thought her soft tone of voice combined with her independent streak was adorable. So was her serious expression. If he had spied her from across the way, he would have imagined that she was talking about something very important.
Though, he was starting to get the idea that Patti believed they actually were speaking about something very important. He would’ve never imagined that his pushing a grocery cart could create such a stir.
It would’ve been even better if he’d had any idea why Patti was acting so flustered. They were friends now. Very good friends. Plus, he’d seen Kelsey and Richard help with several tasks around her house. She’d always accepted their assistance rather easily.
Since it was obvious she was expecting him to react, he said, “All I’m doing is pushing the buggy so you don’t have to. It’s a guy thing.”
“No, it ain’t.”
Oh, brother. “Patti, if you’d stop fussing and start shopping, we could get done a lot faster.”
“That isn’t the point.” She propped both of her hands on her hips.
“What is it, then? I don’t know what you need, so I’d rather push the cart than simply stand around and not do anything.
” When she looked even more mutinous, Martin felt his temper rise.
“I think I’m doing a pretty good job with the grocery cart, Patti.
I haven’t knocked into anyone or anything yet. ”
“Oh, stop. Don’t you understand the problem?” She lowered her voice. “People will talk.”
“About what?”
“You know.” Her pretty brown eyes stared at him intently.
“I promise, I do not. All we’re doing is walking around the store.”
“If we’re together like this, folks are gonna think that I’m buying groceries to cook for you. Or that maybe you are going to pay for them.”
Since he was going to offer to do just that, he didn’t see the problem.
They were talking about food, not diamonds.
Besides, it wasn’t all that different from if he was taking her out to eat.
“If people think that you’ll be cooking meals for me, then they would be right.
Don’t you remember that you promised me lasagna if I drove you here? ”
“That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
He was a blockhead, but at long last Martin was finally understanding that she was really upset. Ignoring the two sets of people nearby, Martin stepped closer. “Patti, honey. Settle down and listen to me. If someone says something about us shopping together, I’ll tell them the truth.”
Her eyes widened. “But—”
“I’ll tell them that I would feel like a jerk if I wandered around the store and watched you do everything.
” He’d also probably tell those busybodies that Patti’s shopping cart was none of their business,but he reckoned it would be best to keep that to himself.
“I promise, everything is going to be just fine.”
She took a deep breath. Exhaled. Then, at last, seemed to find her voice. “I wouldn’t quite describe pushing a grocery cart as a job, Martin.”
“Well, I wouldn’t describe pushing your groceries around the store as gossip-worthy, so there you go.”
“Fine.”
Pleased that she was calming down and that he’d gotten his way, they continued. Without a word, he followed her up and down the aisles, stopping whenever she looked at a box or container and then moving when she was ready.
Sure, they got a few strange looks, but not as much from the Amish as the Englishers in the store. He was actually kind of surprised no one tried to start up a conversation to get more information. Some folks had no fear of overstepping boundaries.
“Martin, did ya hear me?”
“Sorry, I was thinking about something else. What did you say?”
“Do you prefer ricotta cheese or cottage cheese in your lasagna?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Truly?”
“I’ve never made a lasagna, Patti.”
“You’re in a for a treat, then,” she declared as she picked up the carton of cottage cheese and popped it into the buggy. “I have found the cottage cheese makes for a lighter lasagna. I think you will like it better than some of the others you might have tried in the past.”
“I can’t wait to try it.” Though, honestly, Martin knew he would likely not be able to tell the difference. And, more importantly, all he cared about was sharing a meal with her. Anything she made would taste good.
Just as they went down the last aisle, they ran into a couple who looked maybe five years older than him. Both were wearing thick boots, dark colors, and inquisitive expressions.
After looking him over, the woman smiled at Patti. “What a nice surprise to see you here.”
Though Martin felt like raising his eyebrows—after all, visiting the grocery store wasn’t an unusual undertaking— he did his best to keep his expression neutral.
As usual, Patti responded graciously. “I’m certainly here too often, and that’s for sure and for certain. I can’t seem to stay away,” Patti joked.
The woman’s expression eased, but not into a smile.
“Martin, this here is Steve and Mary Rose Troyer. They are in my church district. Steve and Mary Rose, please meet my friend Martin Shrock.”
He held out his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
“You as well.” Steve asked, “I believe you’re Sylvia and Josiah’s grandson and Jonny’s brother?”
“I am, indeed. I’m also Kelsey and Beth’s brother. There are four of us.”
“I’ve gotten to know Kelsey,” Mary Rose said as the ice in her expression slowly chipped away. “Kelsey is a lovely girl and already such a helpmate to Richard.”
“She’s happy,” he said simply.
“So, what are you two doing?”
“We are grocery shopping,” Patti said.
“Together?” Steve asked.
“Yes.” There were a thousand questions shining in the other man’s eyes, but Martin was in no hurry to answer them.
After a slight pause, Mary Rose said, “That’s kind of you to help our Patti out. I’ve always thought cold and windy days made shopping on one’s own difficult.” She shivered dramatically. “It’s too chilly by half, ain’t so?”
“It is. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll look forward to when things are more seasonable.”
“The weather reports say that’s not likely for another couple of days,” Steve said. “Patti is blessed to have your help today.”
“Indeed,” Patti murmured, looking down at her feet.
“I told Patti I’d lug all her grocery bags inside her house without a single complaint,” he teased.
“Martin is a prince among men,” Patti added with a laugh.
“We’ll leave you to it, then,” Steve said. After a few more parting words, he and Mary Rose were on their way.
Glancing at Patti’s profile, he searched for a sign of how she was feeling. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Of course. Why?” Her expression was closed off, though.
“No reason.”
After peeking to see that the older couple was out of sight, she said, “It did feel as if they were aching to ask a bunch more questions than they did.”
“I thought the same thing.”
“I don’t suppose I blame them.”
“I do. What we are doing is no one’s business.”
Patti nodded. “I agree, but it’s human nature for people to be curious about the two of us, I think.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean they need to ask you a bunch of nosy questions in the middle of a crowded store.”
“It wasn’t so bad.” She chuckled. “Martin, I guess we’re going to have to stop worrying about what everyone thinks about our relationship, aren’t we?”
“I think so.” Especially since he wasn’t quite sure what God had in store for them.
After walking a few more steps, she turned back to face him. “I’m starting to think that no matter what happens, it will feel right.”
He was humbled by her words—and by her insight. For the past two years he’d been attempting to figure out what the Lord wanted him to do. As he’d watched Kelsey and Jonny fall in love so easily, he’d wondered why he was having such a difficult time.
When he was with Patti, he didn’t want to be anywhere else. And when he was home in Cleveland, their conversations on the phone were usually the highlights of his week.
Realizing Patti was still waiting for him to respond, he said, “That would be a good thing for both of us to remember, wouldn’t it?”
“Jah.” As they continued on, Martin was surprised to realize that he didn’t feel better. Instead, his chest felt a little tight, like he was almost out of breath.
No, it was more like he was on the verge of something amazing, but it lay just outside his grasp. Was it Patti or the life he couldn’t quite embrace?
Disgust filled him. It was the same question, different day.
“I’m looking forward to making lasagna with you, Patti.”
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I hope you will find all this effort to be worthwhile.”
Martin had a feeling she wasn’t just talking about the lasagna. If that was the case, he could say the same thing.