Liza's Second Chance

KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

Charm, Ohio, 1912

Liza Schrock clenched her teeth and dug her fingers in the fresh dough in her Amish bakery. The forced smiles, nods to her friends' compliments, and suppressing the truth about her husband had been difficult, but she'd managed to keep her miserable marriage a secret. She kneaded the dough harder. Yesterday at the after-church meal, Mrs. Hilty couldn't stop prattling on about how much she missed Paul. She'd moved away from the woman, giving her a polite smile, but Mrs. Hilty had followed her to get her point across. The woman set her teeth on edge. Mr. Hilty interrupted his fraa and insisted it was time for them to leave. She'd hurried to Esther before Mrs. Hilty had time to turn back around. Friends wouldn't stop mentioning Paul to her. The pretending didn't get any easier.

Esther lifted her rag off the white table in the corner. "The counter, stools, tables, and chairs are clean until customers dirty them again." Hand on her ample hip, she went to Liza behind the glass counter lined with desserts and fresh loaves of bread. "Sweet schweschder, you are quieter than usual. I overheard Mrs. Hilty talk on and on to you about Paul yesterday. Today's April eighth. It's been a year since he passed. Is the date of his funeral the reason?" Esther stood next to her.

"Jah, I'd prefer if townsfolk didn't mention him, but I understand they mean no harm." Liza sighed.

"They miss him. He was a good husband to buy this bakery and name it after you. You've made it quite a success with your talent for creating new recipes."

The bakery had become her peaceful place away from Paul before his passing, and she enjoyed kumming to work. Located next to the post office, she had the best spot on the street. She gazed out the window, giving her a full view of the busiest part of town, the general store, the apothecary, and the livery across the way. She had two wood-burning cook stoves and a big dry sink. A large, oblong, waist-high wooden counter held a bowl filled with flour. Her quiet hideaway to escape and experiment with new dessert recipes to sell to customers on the rare occasions when Esther and Hannah were absent. Cabinets and shelves provided easy access to her ingredients. Simple, plain, organized, and functional. "My favorite part is working with you and Hannah."

"Paul was a good man. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be working together doing what we love." Esther clicked her tongue. "He was generous to hire Abe as the manager of your large property and hired hands. Abe and I are very grateful to you and him."

Liza bit her tongue. No, he wasn't a good man. He provided a good living for them, but it didn't kumme without a price. Paul's big smile, generous donations to her family and other people in need, and supposed obedience to following the scriptures in the Bible had been to disguise his real nature. His shiny, thick dark hair, big brown eyes, broad shoulders, and strong arms had been attractive at first. Certain they'd fall in love given time, she'd been wrong.

These same features changed to ugliness in her eyes as he criticized the way she cooked his meals, cleaned their haus, did their laundry, and the list went on. He'd sent her to her room as if she were a child. She'd coveted the quiet. He yelled and screamed and banged his fist on the table if she didn't have meals ready at his designated times. She'd forced smiles and kept secret his mistreatment of her from her family and friends.

Resentment riveted through her as she jerked her eyes from Esther back to the window. A young woman shared a laugh with the man beside her. She had golden hair cascading halfway down her back. Her pale yellow fitted dress showcased her perfect frame and matched the stylish straw hat with white ribbon and rose flowers. He smiled back at her with his perfect teeth. The man was handsome in every way. The spark between them showed in his gaze of admiration at her and his playful nudge and wink, as if she were the only woman for him. He opened the door for her before taking his seat in a no-frills Ford motorcar.

Her marriage to Paul hadn't mimicked this couple in the slightest. It had been the most miserable ten years of her life. She'd expected a happy future with a soul mate, someone she could love and respect. She dropped her gaze from the couple. Not telling her schweschder about Paul had been the hardest part.

"I'm grateful our needs have been met." She bent and set a fresh apple pie in the glass case to avoid Esther's questioning gaze. A forced smile would be difficult to muster at the moment.

"Several Amish men have sat next to you on Sundays at after-service meals and you've hastened to excuse yourself and move to another seat to avoid having conversations with them. Why? You're young. You should consider them." Esther wiped off the top of the glass dome over the plate on top of the counter showcasing a shoofly pie.

Esther scrutinized Liza. "Don't you want to remarry someday? You cared for our sick parents and declined men's offers to marry you until Paul came along. I was worried you were never going to become a fraa." Esther gave her a lopsided grin. "You're not getting any younger."

Her schweschder was pushing her hard for answers. More persistent than ever. Should she tell Esther the truth about Paul? It would be selfish on her part. No good would kumme from it. The only reason to tell her would be to keep Esther from prodding her to consider the available Amish men in town for marriage. Her schweschder enjoyed matching couples, and she had instigated a couple of men to speak to Liza at social gatherings. The interested men had told her this, hoping Esther's approval would enhance their chances with her. Liza swallowed the sour taste in her mouth. She'd never trust another man. Once was enough.

The door opened. She wilkomed the interruption. A tall and lanky Amish man with kind, deep brown eyes stepped into the bakery with a young woman. The petite girl had pale, flawless skin and perfect, high cheekbones. She was strikingly beautiful.

Her heart leaped at the sight of this gentleman. Liza didn't understand. Why this man? She grinned at them through the open doorway leading to the front room. "Wilkom. I'll be with you in a minute." She dipped her hands in a bowl of clean water on a side table, grabbed a towel, and dried them, then followed behind Esther to greet them. She met his deep brown gaze and blushed. He was of average height with square shoulders and long arms. "I'm Liza Schrock and this is my schweschder, Esther Lapp. How may we help you?"

He removed his faded straw hat and unveiled a head of attractive, thick brown hair. "I'm Jacob Graber and this is my dochder, Ellie. We're new in town. Moved to Charm from Nappanee, Indiana. We walked past the bakery and the enticing aroma of fresh bread and cinnamon sugar lured us in. We had to stop in and have a gander." He ogled the pies, tarts, cookies, and bread in the glass cabinet. "I can't go home without a dozen butter cookies and a sugar cream pie."

Esther passed Jacob and Ellie each an oatmeal cookie. "Nibble on these while you shop for more delicious treats. I'll leave you with Liza. Sit on a stool at the counter or a chair at one of the tables and make yourselves comfortable." She patted Liza on the shoulder. "I'll bake the bread you were working on." She raised her eyebrows and gave Liza an impish grin.

Her schweschder didn't miss an opportunity to play matchmaker whenever it arose. She ignored Esther's obvious approval of Jacob. Esther would hound her about the man if she hinted she found him eye-catching. She studied him. He had been the first man to capture her attention since her husband's funeral. Jacob's cheerfulness and kind demeanor added to his appeal. She cleared her throat.

"Danki for the treat and nice meeting you, Mrs. Lapp."

"No formalities needed. Call me Esther, and my schweschder, Liza."

"Only if you both call me Jacob."

"I'd be glad to." Esther grinned and padded to the kitchen.

Liza bit her tongue for a moment. Her schweschder had wasted no time putting her on a first-name basis with Jacob. She pushed Esther's well-meaning intentions out of her mind. She darted her eyes toward the young woman. Ellie's age must be around Hannah's at seventeen. Sandy blond curls escaped the pinned bun under her kapp and her light blue eyes resembled a cloudless sky. The scowl on the young woman's face did nothing to diminish her beauty.

Ellie brushed crumbs from her lips. She lifted her shoulder in a discourteous shrug. "Danki for the cookie." She opened the door. "Daed, I'm going to the general store to buy lemon drops."

"Don't take too long. I'll meet you at the wagon."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Don't be in such a hurry, Daed."

Jacob gave her a hard stare. "Watch your tone, young lady."

Ellie ignored Liza and left.

Jacob raked a hand through his thick brown hair and put his hat back on. "I'm sorry for Ellie's rude behavior. She's been short-tempered and a handful since her mamm passed three years ago. Maybe our move to Charm, a new haus, and new friends will change her attitude for the better."

His sincere, sad eyes and honest confession warmed her heart. "I have a niece, Hannah. She's Esther's dochder. She'll be arriving any minute. Ellie and she should meet. Do you have time to wait?"

He shook his head. "I wish we did, but I've spent too long in town already. I have a tight schedule for chores at home. Do you mind if I bring her to the bakery another day?"

Liza snapped her fingers. "I have an idea. I'm having a social in the bakery for Hannah and some of her friends on April seventeenth at three. I'd love for Ellie to join them. I created a recipe for cookies they're going to bake. They'll chat and have fun."

His eyes sparkled. "I'll bring her. Danki for the invitation." He accepted and paid for his cookies and pie. "I'm glad we met. I'll be back with Ellie a week from Wednesday. It's been a pleasure to meet you, Liza." He lingered a moment and smiled wide. "Have a good day." He shut the door behind him.

A few minutes later, Hannah arrived, snatched her apron off the hook, pulled the first band over her head to rest on her neck, and tied the strings at the waist in a tight bow. "How has the morning been?"

Liza hugged her. "We had our usual morning rush, but business has slowed at present. Esther and I met Jacob Graber and his dochder, Ellie. They're new to Charm. She's about your age and I invited her to your social. I hope you don't mind."

She shook her head. "I'm happy to meet her. Where are they from?"

"Nappanee, Indiana. Her mamm passed three years ago, and her daed said she hasn't adjusted well without her. Ellie had bad manners. She spouted off to him in front of me. My heart goes out to her. It can't be easy for her without a mamm to guide her through these years when she's choosing to join or not join the church, thinking of her future, and many other things."

Hannah frowned. "I couldn't imagine life without Mamm or you. Daed and I are close, but he doesn't understand about certain things like Mamm and you. I'll be patient with her."

Esther joined them. "There's my beautiful dochder. You missed Mr. Handsome and his dochder, Ellie. He couldn't take his eyes off Liza."

"Did you notice, Liza?" Hannah gave her an impish grin.

Liza's stomach churned. She didn't need her niece to jump on the matchmaking wagon with Esther. "Both of you stop this instant. I'm happy with my life the way it is."

Esther nudged her. "Jacob came in and interrupted our conversation about marriage, and you didn't answer my question. Why are you against the idea?"

Liza's hands shook and tears trailed down her cheeks. She'd lost the battle of holding in her emotions. She took a clean cloth and dabbed the tears threatening to dampen her face.

Esther rushed to her side. "What is upsetting you?"

"Paul hid his true self from everyone but me. He mistreated me. He yelled and screamed at the way I cooked, cleaned haus, did the laundry, and stitched his shirts. He sent me to my room for punishment as if I were a child. He portrayed himself one way to you and others, but to me, he was an angry man. He hit the wall and table several times showing his temper."

Esther gasped and covered her mouth. "What? I'm shocked! Why have you kept this a secret from us for such a long time? When did his mistreatment start? Did he lay a hand on you?"

Pale, Hannah placed a hand on her mamm's arm. "Mamm, please slow down. You're peppering Liza with questions." She nodded to Liza. "Allow her to answer one at a time."

Pausing, Esther shifted her gaze to Hannah. "You're like your daed. You remain calm in the midst of a storm. I should be more like you." She squeezed Liza's hand. "I'm sorry. Tell us about him."

"I'll start from the beginning. Since Paul arranged our marriage with Daed, we didn't have much time to get acquainted before our wedding day. I had doubts because he was ten years older than me, but I married him anyway. According to him, his mamm adhered to his demanding schedule and he expected no less from me. He was an only child who inherited this large, profitable property, and he expected me to manage the bakery to add to our wealth. He hid his greediness, arrogance, and boorish temperament from everyone but me."

"I'm flabbergasted he put you through that. We had no idea." Esther bowed her head and spoke just above a whisper. "You are rich with beauty, talent, and a kind heart. You could've waited to fall in love with an Amish man. Why didn't you?" She froze. "You married him to provide financial freedom for us, didn't you?"

She didn't want them ridden with guilt for why she'd married Paul. "It was my decision and you are not to blame yourself. I chose to marry him for you, Hannah, Abe, me, and our parents. I had no reason to believe he wouldn't be an ideal husband, despite our age difference. I've had a wonderful daed, and Abe is a stellar bruder-in-law and close friend. I assumed Paul would be like them. His behavior was devastating. I believe he would've taken the bakery away from me had he discovered it had become my refuge."

"Uncle Paul never once raised his voice around me. I'm astounded he could put on such a cheerful front for as long as he did. I would've had to tell you or Mamm and seek comfort if I'd been in your position. You were strong to keep this hush-hush from us."

"I agreed to an arranged marriage for financial reasons. I promise you won't be in the same predicament. Our crops, the bakery, and the inheritance I received from Paul's estate provides us with more money than we need."

Liza didn't want Hannah to worry. Hannah was softhearted and compassionate toward others. The right man would appreciate those qualities in her. "You're pretty, with your fire-red hair, deep green eyes, and kind heart. Amish men will be knocking your door down before long to get your attention. You can take your time and fall in love with a man of your choosing." Liza wanted Hannah to find the right man, learn all she could about him, and then marry him.

"Your safety and happiness is worth more to me than fretting about people judging us for your divorce or having to survive on a lot less money. I can't imagine leaving the Amish life, but I would've for you." Esther dabbed a tear with her sleeve. "I'm angry with you, Liza. You shouldn't hide things from me. Even if you chose to stay with him after telling me, I'd have listened to you."

Hannah came alongside her mamm. "Don't be cross with Liza. She kept her secret to protect you, Daed, and me. This information would've robbed you of enjoying your life. You'd have fretted about Liza night and day had you known about the real Paul. You couldn't have done anything. She made the right decision."

Esther circled her arm around Liza. "Hannah's right, but I should've realized you were in pain."

"I didn't want you to." She cupped her schweschder's cheek in her hand. "You couldn't have fixed this problem. You have nothing to regret. I'm responsible for my own actions." She threw back her shoulders and brushed her palms. "Paul's gone, and we no longer have to concern ourselves with him." She didn't want to discuss him anymore. Enough had been said. Had she been wrong to tell Esther the truth about him? She didn't want her family to dwell on her revelation.

"Do you have to tell Abe?"

Esther stilled. "Jah. We don't keep secrets from each other. He'll be all right once he has a chance to let it settle in. Abe will be upset when I tell him about Paul. He loves you like a schweschder rather than a schweschder-in-law. I won't tell a soul except him, and he won't tell anyone."

Hannah put a finger to her lips. "Your secret is safe with me. Are you able to forgive Paul?"