With a slight grin, she shook her head. “You say that about all my cookies.”
“Because it’s true.” He took a bite and chewed, savoring the spicy, sweet flavor. Fern’s cooking was second to none in their church—though he kept that opinion to himself, for his wife Birdy’s sake.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of the clock ticking softly in the background. Then Fern, never one to beat around the bush, spoke up. “The last time you showed up at my door, it was to talk me into taking on those young folk. So I figure you’re here now to see how it’s going with them.”
David swallowed, appreciating her directness. “Exactly right.” He studied her face for any sign of frustration. “I asked you to house them for just a few weeks. Dok said she’d look for something more permanent, but I don’t think she’s had much luck yet.” He had a hunch his sister was dragging her feet in hopes that the two residents might give up and go away.
“I don’t mind them so much, if they want to stay on here. With Luke and Izzy gone, it’s nice to have folks around the farm. Hank Lapp keeps showing up with his mule and cart with boxes from Dok.”
“Hank? Bringing things here?”
“Says he’s helping to clear out Dok’s basement.”
“According to Sarah Blank, who seems to know everything in this town, Charlie is doing some kind of update at the office. I haven’t seen Dok to ask.” He gazed out the window at the buggy shop. “But why are boxes coming here?”
“Hank says they’re full of old medical equipment that Wren wants. Antiques and the sort, he said.” Fern shrugged. “As long as the boxes don’t stay longer than those two young doctors, it’s fine with me.” She raised an eyebrow. “Which reminds me, I have yet to hear anything more about recompense for boarding them.”
David sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll speak to Dok today about that.”
“And,” Fern said, lifting a finger in the air, “I take them toDok’s office each morning. They’re on their own to get back in the afternoon, unless there’s a rainstorm with thunder and lightning. Then I told them I’d come and fetch them. Seems like that should be counted in too.”
“I hadn’t given any thought to their transportation. I’ll mention it to Dok.” His mental list of things to do was growing by the minute. He should leave soon, because he had a full afternoon of work ahead of him. And he needed to chase down his sister. But for now, he was content to sit a while longer, enjoying Fern’s company and the simple pleasure of a perfect gingersnap cookie. “So, all things considered, they’re working out for you?”
“They’re settling in,” Fern replied, leaning back in her chair, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. “The boy, Charlie, is a big help to me. He volunteered to feed the animals each morning. Gets up extra early for it. He has a nice way about him. Takes care of himself. Doesn’t even come for supper. I offer, so long as he shows up at suppertime ... but he never does.”
“Maybe he’s trying to save money.”
“I wouldn’t charge him much. Evie and I worked out an arrangement. I offered the same to Wren, but she said she prefers to make her own meals. Says she has special eating needs.” She lifted her thin shoulders in a shrug. “I don’t know what that boy is eating.”
David nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. Charlie King was hardly a boy. “That’s good to hear. He seems to be pretty absorbed in Dok’s basement remodel.” He reached out for another cookie. Just one more couldn’t hurt. “And the women? They’re working out well?”
“Evie, the nurse, is no trouble at all,” Fern said, her tone softening. “Very thoughtful. She’s good company. Did you know her grandparents were Mennonites?”
David nodded. “Dok mentioned it.”
The arch of her eyebrow deepened. “Evie does need a bit of a backbone.”
“And the other woman? Wren Baker.” For some reason, David braced himself for the answer.
Fern frowned, the lines on her forehead etching a clear message. “She keeps herself scarce. When I do see her, it’s quick.”
David waited.
“She has plenty of opinions.”
He waited.
“And then there’s moments like this morning. Wren came downstairs with a bundle of laundry in her arms, handed it to me, then walked right out the door. Assumed me doing her wash was part of her room and board.” She lifted her chin. “And it’s not.”
He had a hunch something else was nettling Fern. “So how’d you handle it?”
“Evie jumped in and offered to do the laundry for them both. I told her no and put the bundle of dirty laundry right back on Wren’s bed.” Fern frowned. “You can see what I mean when I say that Evie needs a backbone.”
David waited.
“Evie likes to give, and Wren likes to take.”
David smiled into his iced tea.Es is so! Der Brennesel.Thereit is. The nettle.
