Chapter 14 #2
“That’s right, but Samuel didn’t see me as anyone special, and I heard him tell his older brother once that I was just a kid.
” Dianna paused and took a bite of her sandwich.
After chewing it thoroughly and swallowing, she continued.
“Not long after that, Samuel met someone from another community and married her. I was brokenhearted when I heard the news.”
“But Dianna, you had to realize you weren’t old enough for love, much less marriage.” Philip’s tender expression caused Dianna’s tears to flow again.
“You’re right about that. However, my story doesn’t end there,” she stated after dabbing at her damp cheeks with the handkerchief she withdrew from the band of her apron.
“Oh, so there’s more?”
Dianna bobbed her head. “My story ended when your folks moved to Arthur and I met you. I was older and more mature by then, and after we’d been courting awhile, I realized what true love really is.
” A few more tears fell, landing on her lap.
“That’s what I want for our girls. But what if it doesn’t happen for them, Philip? ”
“It will happen,” he said with assurance. “But it will be in God’s time, not ours, so it’s best if we stop worrying about Rachel, and even Emma, and leave it all in the Lord’s capable hands.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “But I may need to be reminded from time to time.”
Philip grinned and lifted Dianna’s chin with his thumb. “I can do that, Dianna. I’m good at reminding—and I’ll be here to do that anytime you ever doubt.”
Arthur
Emma brought the lunch basket she’d taken from Ivan’s carriage over to the blanket that Ivan had spread on the ground and set it down. After the three of them prayed, she opened the basket, took out the ham and cheese sandwiches Grandma had made, and offered Grandpa and Ivan each one.
“Danki,” the men both said.
Emma opened the plastic container the third sandwich had been put in and took a bite. It was good, and so was the conversation. Emma smiled when she heard Grandpa reminiscing about the biggest fish he’d ever caught back when he was a boy.
“Yes indeed,” Grandpa said in an upbeat tone. “Why, that ole fish must have been two feet long.” He looked over at Ivan and offered him a broad smile. “I’m not braggin’ though—it’s just a fact.”
“That’s a good memory,” Ivan said. “Sure wish we were having better luck today. The fish in this pond don’t seem to be biting—or maybe they don’t like our bait.”
“Could be either or both, I guess.” Grandpa finished his sandwich and patted his stomach. “That took the edge off. Jah, it sure did, but now I’m ready for dessert.” He looked at Emma. “Didn’t you say you’d made some cupcakes to bring along today?”
“Yes, I did.” Emma opened the basket again and withdrew the container. She lifted the lid and gave Ivan and Grandpa each a cupcake.
They both tore the paper lining off and bit into their cupcakes at the same time.
Emma held her breath, hoping for confirmation that the little chocolate cakes tasted all right.
She watched as Ivan and Grandpa looked at each other with wrinkled noses, and both turned their heads and spit what they’d put in their mouths out on the ground.
The heaps of gnawed cupcake mingled seamlessly with the dirt beyond the blanket.
“For goodness’ sake, Emma, how much salse did you put in those cupcakes?”
“Only half a teaspoon. Does it taste too salty?”
“Like an ocean!” Grandpa bobbed his head and grabbed his thermos of water. “Was your grandmother in the kitchen when you made these cupcakes?”
“No, I made them early this morning, when you two were still in bed.” Emma grabbed a cupcake and took a bite, which she promptly discarded inside a paper towel she pulled from the picnic basket.
“Ew, you’re right, Grandpa. The cupcakes are very salty, but I don’t understand why.
” Her gaze went to Ivan to see his reaction.
He had opened his thermos and was taking a drink.
“Well, apparently you didn’t follow the directions very well,” Grandpa said after he’d consumed some water and set his thermos cup down.
Emma’s chin trembled, and she hoped she wouldn’t give in to the tears threatening to spill over.
“But … but, I’m sure I did everything that was written on the recipe card.
” She went over it in her mind, then gave an account of each ingredient she’d added to the batter.
“Let’s see … there was 1 cup of flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ⒈／⒉ teaspoon salt, one large egg, half a cup of milk, half cup of vegetable oil, ? teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⒈／⒉ cup of hot water. ”
“Maybe you mixed up the sugar and salt and put one cup salt and ⒈／⒉ teaspoon of sugar in the batter you were mixing,” Grandpa suggested. “Jah, I’ll bet that’s what happened.”
Emma shook her head vigorously. “No, I didn’t. I followed the directions exactly the way they were listed. I’m sure of it.”
“All that salt didn’t get there by itself, Emma.
” Grandpa scooped up what was left of his cupcake and tossed it in the paper sack that the fishing bait had been in.
“You had to have messed up somewhere—that’s all there is to it.
Better check the recipe again when we get home today because you must have read it wrong. ”
Grandpa’s last words were Emma’s undoing. She leaped to her feet, and tears blinded her vision as she ran through the tall grass along the edge of the pond. She’d never been so humiliated in all her life.
What must Ivan think of me? Emma thought, her heart pounding as she sprinted through the pond’s surrounding greenery and away from her embarrassment. Given how many times I’ve messed up, Ivan will probably never trust any food I offer him again. He probably believes I’m the world’s worst cook.
When Ivan saw Emma run off, he scrambled to his feet and ran after her, knowing she could probably use some cheering up right now. Emma pushed on toward the water’s edge, despite his calls for her to slow down.
Ivan was gaining on Emma, but before he could reach her, she tripped on something and tumbled, headfirst, into the pond with a splash and a yelp. Emma’s head disappeared under the water, then bobbed up again long enough for her to holler, “Help me! I can’t swim!”
Barely giving it a thought, and ignoring any concerns for his own safety, Ivan’s reflexes took over, and he plunged into the water.
As the pond’s surface rippled with each hacking stroke through the murky water, frantically he tried to reach Emma in time.
Ivan’s swirling thoughts were I need to get to her before it’s too late.
Dear God, please help me save Emma from drowning.