Just Plain Sadie Read online

  “I’m Cora Ann. You got the bison meat for me.”

  Ezra chuckled. “It’s going to take you a while to eat all that.”

  Cora Ann laughed, and the sound sounded so much like Sadie he knew they had to be sisters.

  “No.” She giggled. “I found the recipes for bison meat, and Mamm said that we can make them.”

  Ezra gave her a small bow. “I appreciate your business.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He waited there for a second and she stared at him, smiling with an excitement he couldn’t name.

  “Is Sadie here?”

  “Oh! Of course.” She turned on one heel and hustled back toward the swinging doors he could only assume led to the kitchen.

  “Sadie,” she called from the door. But he couldn’t hear the rest of what she said after she lowered her voice.

  He shifted from one foot to the other as he waited.

  A few moments later Sadie bustled out of the other door, brushing off her apron as she drew nearer. She was dressed in black again, but still managed to look like a ray of sunshine as she approached.

  “Ezra. You’re here.”

  “Yes, I am.” He tried not to laugh, but he had a feeling she was about as nervous as he was. The whole thing was utterly ridiculous. She was merely coming out to the ranch to visit. It wasn’t a date.

  She smoothed her hands down the front of her black apron and wadded up the one she had been wearing. He supposed she wore that over her clothes to keep them from getting soiled while she cooked.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “I need you to meet my mamm first.”

  “Of course.” Why hadn’t he thought of that? He nodded. “Okay. Sure.”

  This was feeling more and more like a date. But it wasn’t a date, he told himself again. Two people getting together to look at exotic ranch animals. It didn’t matter that he picked her up from her place of work. It didn’t matter that he was meeting her mother. Just two people. Not a date.

  “She’s in the office. I’ll take you back there.” She started toward the waitress station.

  Ezra followed behind her, winding around the fountain drink machine to a thin wooden door on the other side. The word “office” was spelled out in gold letters across the top.

  Sadie gave a gentle knock, then opened the door and stuck her head in. “Mamm, Ezra is here.” She opened the door all the way and allowed him to step inside.

  The room was a disaster. Boxes of paperwork and files were stacked in every available space. It didn’t help that the room was about the size of the bathroom. A Formica-topped table took up half the wall.

  The woman sitting behind it looked up as they approached. Her face was lined with wrinkles. Her mouth appeared to be turned down into a permanent frown. She was thin and had a no-nonsense air about her that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

  He stepped forward and reached out a hand. “Ezra Hein,” he said.

  The woman looked at his hand, seemed to hesitate for half a heartbeat, then shook it. “Maddie Kauffman. So you’re the bison farmer.”

  He had never really been called that before, but he was sure he had been called worse. “Yes, ma’am.” There were worse things to be known as.

  An awkward moment passed, then Sadie took his elbow and directed him out of the room. “I’ll see you later,” she tossed back over her shoulder as they shut the door behind them.

  She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief that Maddie didn’t call them back into the office.

  “So are you ready to go?” Ezra asked.

  Sadie opened her eyes and nodded. “There is one thing, though.”

  His heart gave a weird lurch. “And that is?”

  “Is it time? Is it time?” The girl who had led him into the restaurant rushed toward them, her cheeks pink with excitement. “I’m so ready for this.”

  Ezra looked at Sadie.

  She shrugged. “I asked Cora Ann and Daniel to come too. I hope that’s okay.”

  She didn’t say it, but Ezra knew. It was better for her to come with two of her family members tagging along with the man she didn’t know. He had forgotten that the Amish could be so conservative about such things.

  “Of course.”

  Cora Ann squealed and danced a little jig. She already had her coat on and her scarf tied over her prayer kapp. She was actually more than ready.

  Ezra half expected her to drag him out to his truck without waiting for her sister. He looked over to where Sadie had gone. She slid into the booth next to the little boy who was coloring. He looked up at her, his eyes magnified through his thick glasses. He was missing a couple of teeth in the front and had a dusting of freckles across his nose. But it was apparent that he was not an average child.

  Sadie spoke softly to him. He nodded, then loaded all of his coloring supplies into a string backpack sitting next to him in the booth. Sadie slid out and allowed him to come behind her. He made his way to the office, returning a few moments later wearing a thick black coat and a black hat. He slung his string backpack across his shoulders, and Ezra could see it bounce as he walked.

  He scanned their faces, realizing that they were as different as siblings could possibly be. It was apparent that Cora Ann and Daniel were siblings, but Sadie with her dark hair looked so different than they did. Or maybe it was the huge span between their ages. “Are you ready to go?”

  Cora Ann did her little dance again.

  Dumb question.

  “Do you really have camels?” Daniel asked. His words held a slight lisp. Without warning he slipped his hand into Ezra’s and gazed up at him with those magnified blue eyes.

  “I do,” Ezra replied, touched by the young boy’s trust and apparent admiration.

  Sadie grabbed her coat, and together the four of them walked out of the restaurant. Ezra was the last one out, as Daniel reluctantly released his hand to go through the door before him. But Ezra came to an abrupt halt to keep from bumping into them as they stood, staring at his truck.

  “What’s the—?” He had been about to ask what the matter was, but he could see it right in front of his eyes. Four people—two adults and two children—could not ride in his single cab pickup truck. Somebody was going to have to stay home.

  He turned to Sadie hoping she had some sort of solution, but she was already on it.

  “Cora Ann,” she started.

  The young girl’s excited expression had melted. She knew what was coming next. “Of course.” She nodded dejectedly, and Ezra had the feeling that the family did everything in their power to make Daniel’s life as interesting as possible. Yet, it wasn’t fair that since he drove a truck and not a car, Cora Ann had to stay at home.

  He lightly touched her shoulder. “That’s a real sweet thing you’re doing. And I’m sure your brother appreciates it.”

  She nodded again.

  “But that doesn’t mean you can’t come out and see the ranch another day.”

  Her face lit up once again. “You mean that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  He wasn’t sure how to answer, but Sadie stepped in, saving him the trouble. “Tomorrow is a church Sunday.”

  “Jah. Right,” Cora Ann replied. But it didn’t change the disappointment covering her face.

  “How about next week?” he asked. “I could come and get you next week and take you for a tour.”

  Cora Ann did the little hop-step she had shown him earlier.

  “As long as your mother says it’s okay,” he added.

  The stipulation didn’t quell her joy. She danced a couple more steps, then stopped and turned back to Ezra. “What about Sadie?”

  “What about her?” he asked.

  “Can she come too?”

  He didn’t think that Maddie would have it any other way. “Of course,” he replied. And just like that, he had another “not date” with Sadie Kauffman.

  Chapter Five

  “Look, Sad
ie!” Daniel ran ahead of them toward the pen of ostriches. His coat flapped behind him as he climbed up the white wooden fence. “They’re so big!”

  Sadie smiled, and beside her, Ezra chuckled. “Is it okay for him to climb up there?” she asked, eyeing the big birds as they strutted toward her brother.

  “It should be fine,” Ezra said. “They’re not mean birds by nature. Though they are attracted to things that are shiny. But I don’t think Daniel has on anything that sparkles.”

  True, the Amish didn’t wear a lot of shiny things. He should be safe. She crossed her arms and watched as he waited for the ostriches to come closer.

  The wind held a definite chill, though the sun shone bright. Daniel turned toward them, those golden rays twinkling off the lenses of his glasses. The speed of the ostriches increased.

  “Oh, no!” Sadie rushed toward Daniel, hoping to get to him before the ostriches did. She wasn’t exactly sure what they would do, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

  Ezra’s footsteps pounded behind her, rustling in the dead grass. His stride was longer than hers and he passed her quickly, scooping Daniel into his arms and out of harm’s way.

  Unaware of the danger, Daniel laughed. Sadie couldn’t help but follow suit. No sense in getting upset about something that didn’t happen.

  “That was close.” Ezra sat Daniel on his feet and comically wiped his brow.

  “Again!” Daniel cried, bouncing with glee.

  “No way, buddy.” Ezra patted his shoulder in apology.

  “Maybe we should look at the camels instead,” Sadie suggested.

  “That might not be a bad idea,” Ezra agreed. He led them toward a different pen, this one more like the traditional farms with a barn in the middle and land all around. She counted three camels, but they were milling around amid the other animals and she couldn’t tell if she’d counted any more than once.

  “They are bigger than I thought.” Of course, she never thought about camels much. But with their long legs and lofty humps, they towered over both of them.

  “They’re beautiful,” she added, in case he thought she didn’t like the animals. She supposed they smelled like any barn animal; but with their shaggy, caramel-colored fur and long eyelashes, there was a certain charm to the camels. Or maybe she wasn’t used to seeing such exotic creatures in Wells Landing.

  They wandered around the edge of the pen, watching the camels and the bison and keeping a close eye on Daniel. Sadie was glad that she brought him. He was having such a wonderful time. Other than school, he didn’t get out near enough, and she made a personal vow to take him to the park at least once a week.

  “Well, that’s it.” Ezra came to a stop and turned back around.

  Sadie supposed they were at the edge of his property. Or at the edge of his workspace.

  “How about a cup of coffee?”

  Sadie nodded pointedly toward Daniel.

  “Hot chocolate?”

  Sadie smiled. “Sounds perfect.” She called to Daniel and together the three of them made their way to the house. Daniel looked mildly disappointed at having to go inside, but he was such an accommodating soul that he didn’t protest as he walked with them.

  They hadn’t gone into the house when they first arrived at the ranch, mainly because Daniel was so excited he led them straight away toward the animals. They had seen the bison, camels, and the ostriches, all the creatures Ezra had told her about.

  Ezra’s house was different than Sadie’s. The Amish normally had white houses with clapboard siding, and built a little like a box, with large wraparound porches and no shutters. This house was a sprawling brick structure that seemed to stretch forever. Orange shutters contrasted nicely with the beige-colored brick, and empty terra-cotta pots waited on the front porch for spring and flowers to come.

  Ezra led them to the side door and into the house. They walked into a small room with a sink and a washer and dryer, then on into a large and airy kitchen.

  Sadie glanced around, checking out the appliances on the countertops. She spent so much of her day in the kitchen, she was always interested in the instruments others used to cook.

  “Ezra? Is that you?”

  “Yes, Mom. It’s me.”

  “Are your friends still here?”

  “Sadie,” Ezra said, lightly taking her elbow and leading her toward the doorway at the opposite side of the kitchen. “Come meet my mother, then we’ll get us something warm to drink.”

  But they didn’t have a chance to set one foot outside the kitchen before Sadie heard a metallic clink and Ezra’s mother came into view. She had crutches on both arms and moved slowly through the house as if it cost her a great effort.

  “Mom, where’s your chair?”

  The dark-haired woman shook her head. It took only a moment for Sadie to realize that Ezra must take after his father. “Sometimes it’s more trouble than it’s worth,” she said.

  Ezra shook his head, but didn’t respond to her words. “Mom, this is Sadie Kauffman and Daniel.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Sadie said, as Daniel gave a small wave.

  “Sadie, Daniel, this is my mother, Ellen Hein.”

  Ellen nodded in both their directions. “It’s nice to meet you too.” Though Sadie wasn’t sure she meant it.

  She pushed away that unkind thought. But it seemed as if Ellen Hein was a lot like Sadie’s own mamm.

  “We were about to have some hot chocolate. Would you like to join us?” Ezra asked.

  Ellen shook her head. “No, I think I’m going to lay down and take a nap.”

  Her tone held a dejected note that saddened Sadie. Ezra’s mom looked unhappy. Sadie didn’t know another word to describe it. But the woman’s mouth turned down at the corners, and her forehead was creased with wrinkles as if she was perpetually frowning. Sadie wondered what happened to put such a look on her face, for her mother wore one almost identical. Had the same thing that placed her in a wheelchair put that sadness in her eyes? Sadie knew what happened with her own mamm, but she might not ever know Ellen Hein’s story. After all, come next week, she wouldn’t have an excuse to see Ezra again.

  Not until they needed more bison meat.

  If Mamm even let them reorder.

  The thought made her heart stutter. It was ridiculous really, this need she felt to get to know Ezra better. She blamed it on Chris’s recent revelation. When he broke his news to her, all her hopes flew out the window. She supposed it was only natural for her to pin them to someone else. But using a Mennonite man was absurd.

  Ellen gave them one last frown, then clinked her way back into the other room. Sadie and Daniel made themselves comfortable in the oak chairs surrounding the oval table set off to one side while Ezra got down coffee mugs and started filling them with water.

  “Ezra,” Sadie started hesitantly. “Are you making the boxed hot chocolate?” She almost hated to ask. After all, he was kind enough to offer them a drink. But powdered hot chocolate? She mentally shuddered.

  “Of course.” Ezra frowned as if he couldn’t figure out any other form hot chocolate could come in.

  Sadie shook her head and stood. “Do you have a saucepan?”

  “I’m sure we do.” He started opening cabinets, peering into each one until he found a copper-bottomed saucepan for her to use. “I take it you’re going to make the hot chocolate.”

  “Jah.” She smiled to take any sting from her word. “I need milk, sugar, cocoa,” she rattled off the ingredients quickly, “and vanilla.”

  Ezra turned from where he had been peering into the refrigerator to find the milk. “Vanilla?”

  “Trust me on this.”

  A few minutes later Sadie had all the ingredients laid out on the counter, including the questionable vanilla, and the milk warming on the stove. It didn’t take long before she had the rich hot chocolate poured.

  Daniel had been sitting there while she worked, swinging his legs and watching the two of them with great interest. He tended to d
o that; either he absorbed everything around him or he blocked it out. Sadie thought it was a defense mechanism. But at least he wasn’t coloring. When things became too much, he shut down and got out his crayons. Once he began, it was hard to talk him into doing anything else.

  “Wait.” Ezra made his way back to the refrigerator, pulled out some whipped cream in a can, and gave each one of them a squirt on top. “Perfect.” He smiled, his brown eyes sparkling, and Sadie’s heart did that stutter thing again.

  Why did he have to be so handsome? Why couldn’t he have been a normal Mennonite boy without such thick blond hair and bottomless brown eyes? It would’ve been a lot easier on both of them. Still, she had no regrets about bringing Daniel out. In fact, the whole situation was win-win, as the Englisch said.

  They sat down at the table with their hot chocolate mugs in front of them.

  Ezra took a sip, then closed his eyes. “Wow, that’s good. Thanks for making it.”

  Sadie smiled. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.” As far as compliments went, it wasn’t the best she had received. So why did she feel like she had won an award?

  Ezra took another drink, this time coming away with a smear of whipped cream dotting his upper lip.

  “Uh, you have a little . . .” Sadie said, gesturing toward the smudge.

  He smiled and tried to lick it off, but only managed to get part of it.

  She laughed and grabbed up a napkin from the wire holder in the center of the table. Leaning in close, she dabbed at the spot as the air grew thick.

  Ezra held his breath, and his eyes darkened until she could no longer see his pupils.

  “There,” she said on a rush of air, only then realizing that she had forgotten to breathe as well.

  “Thanks.” His voice sounded hoarse. He cleared his throat as Sadie became all too aware that she was sitting way too close.

  She sat back away from him, suddenly mindful that Daniel was sitting at the table with them.

  Her gaze met Ezra’s, but she couldn’t read his expression. Did he feel it too? That draw? That pull? Or was she merely seeing something where nothing existed? After all, they both understood that this really wasn’t a date. So why did it feel like one now?