An Amish Country Christmas by Hubbard Charlotte; King Naomi

Author:Hubbard, Charlotte; King, Naomi [Hubbard, Charlotte; King, Naomi]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Jerusalem felt as if bright, shiny bubbles were bouncing around in her chest. Vernon had indeed opened a fine can of worms by suggesting Scrabble, and she couldn’t wait to play. While she reminded herself that winning wasn’t the point—that it was an evening well spent if each of them played the best game they could—her fingers itched to arrange wooden letter tiles into long, high-point words.

“This is the best time we’ve had in a while,” Nazareth murmured. They stood side by side at the stove, stirring orange sauce into the sliced beets and adding blended flour, milk, and melted butter to the pan of boiled cabbage. “It’s been so long since we played board games!”

“Jah, our crochet club’s a gut way to visit with our female friends, but this!” Jerusalem glanced over her shoulder to be sure neither of the men was within earshot. “This feels like a double date, Sister!”

“Tom’s loving it, too. Haven’t seen him smile this way, well—since we came here in October.” Nazareth turned off the gas burner. “I’ll set these beets in the warming oven and start the butter sizzling for the steaks. My word, but we have a feast tonight!”

“In more ways than one.” As Jerusalem stirred the cabbage to keep the cream sauce from scorching, she glanced at the table. “I hope Tom won’t mind that we got out the better set of dishes and a linen tablecloth. Lettie left some nice things behind and it’s a shame not to use them.”

She set the lid on the pan of cabbage and took it off the heat. Though she’d been cooking and setting a pretty table since her teens, Jerusalem wanted this evening to stand out . . . wanted everything just so, even if neither of the fellows would care about the cloth napkins folded beside their china plates or the crease in the freshly ironed tablecloth that ran down the exact center of the table.

When she glanced into the front room, she smiled. It was indeed a blessing to see Tom Hostetler looking so relaxed, to hear his laughter as he and Vernon chatted. The past few months of Hiram’s duplicity had taken their toll on everyone in Willow Ridge, but Preacher Tom had borne the brunt of it. Some members had whispered of moving to other districts if Bishop Knepp didn’t cease his brash, controversial behavior. It was a relief to see the New Year as a fresh slate where they would write the community’s next chapter with a calmer, more compassionate leader in charge.

As though he’d felt her gaze, Vernon looked at her. Again his eyes lingered, and Jerusalem wiggled her fingers in a wave. “Won’t be but a few more minutes,” she announced. “Those are mighty fine steaks you brought us, Vernon.”

“And what else smells so delectable?” he asked as he rose from the sofa. “Let’s take a look, Tom. The anticipation’s making me twitch!”

Jerusalem turned and inhaled deeply. Nothing smelled as wonderful as beef sizzling in a skillet, with butter, salt, and pepper.

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