An Empty Cup(15)

The usually silent Aaron snorted and rolled his eyes, nodding his head in agreement with his stepfather. The unspoken bond between the two men touched Rosanna. She had a warm feeling in her heart, despite Cate’s misbehavior. It had taken a while, but after all the ups and downs since Timothy’s death, things seemed to finally be headed in the right direction. Now they needed to just keep it that way, Rosanna thought. She’d do anything to ensure that happened.





CHAPTER THREE

When Nan walked into Rosanna’s kitchen, her hands were tucked into the pockets of her front apron as if she were afraid to touch anything. Her dark eyes scanned her surroundings as if scrutinizing every detail. With a pinched expression, Nan moved around the room, either not taking notice of Rosanna or merely not caring that she walked right past her.

Feeling uncomfortable, Rosanna said nothing. She stood by the counter, waiting for Nan to make a proper introduction. None came. Reuben was still outside in the stable, tending to Nan’s horse. Apparently letting Reuben take care of unharnessing the horse from the buggy hadn’t bothered Nan. Instead of helping, which most horse owners would do, she had chosen to walk straight into the house. She was empty-handed, another surprise.

Rosanna wasn’t certain whether the woman was simply rude or just socially awkward, but she took the opportunity to make her own assessment of this odd guest.

Nan was a pretty woman, with tanned skin and almond-shaped eyes. Despite her attractive face, there was something cold about her. Her jet-black hair was arranged in a bun beneath her crisp white prayer kapp, the part down the middle pulled so tight that she already showed signs of balding, a common affliction among elderly Amish people, but something not usually seen in a woman in her thirties. Unlike the heart-shaped kapps worn by the women in Rosanna’s g’may, Nan’s sat upon the back of her head like a stiff cup, which only added to her uptight and rigid appearance.

Nan didn’t seem to notice that while she inspected the kitchen and attached sitting room, she, too, was being scrutinized. Without looking at Rosanna, she took a few steps, her black sneakers shuffling on the clean kitchen floor. With pursed lips, she examined everything, her curiosity so great that Rosanna looked around as well, wondering what Nan had seen that was so interesting.

“Well,” the younger woman finally said. “This is pleasant enough!”

Rosanna frowned, wondering at the meaning of this curious comment, but she was too well mannered to ask. Instead, she stepped forward and extended her hand in greeting. “I take it that you are Nan, then.”

Nan stood with complete confidence, her feet spread apart and her posture straight and tall. For a moment, Rosanna wondered if her hand would be accepted. Reluctantly, it was.

“I am,” Nan said simply.

Uncertain of how to proceed, Rosanna glanced out the window, hoping to see Reuben walking toward the house. She knew it didn’t take that long to unharness the horse from the buggy. Where was he? “Did your bruder come with you, then?”

“Nee,” Nan said. “He’s with Jonathan today. He couldn’t make it.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Rosanna finally saw Reuben walking across the driveway toward the house. She felt relieved that he would be joining them. She wasn’t certain what to think of Nan. Her words and actions were too abrupt and forward for Rosanna’s taste.

“Your bruder is working with Jonathan, ja?” Rosanna said. “He must be a skilled worker if he’s been hired all the way from New York.”

Nan didn’t have time to respond before the door opened and Reuben entered the room, a smile on his face.

“I see you’ve met!”

Rosanna wanted to respond that she had indeed met Nan but that Nan had not really met her or even asked who she was. Instead, Rosanna smiled and gestured toward the table. “I have supper ready, if you’d care to sit a spell.”

The table was set for five. Aaron was still outside working, and Cate was upstairs in her bedroom. From the sound of it, she had snuck one of the dogs upstairs, most likely Jack, who was Cate’s shadow. Rosanna didn’t want to say anything while Nan was here, but she made a mental note to speak later to her daughter about the “No Dogs in the House” rule.

Nan took a seat adjacent to Reuben, not offering to assist Rosanna with the meal, as any other Amish woman normally would. At least Amish women around here, Rosanna reminded herself. Different communities of Amish behaved in different manners. Mayhaps Nan came from a community that was more abrupt and less giving.

Rosanna walked to the stairs and called for Cate to join them. Once Cate bounded down the stairs, she paused and stared at Nan.