Covered Bridge Charm (5 page)

As she washed her plate, she watched Cocoa move toward his litter box.

Carly finished in the kitchen and started her bath. With a squirt of dishwashing detergent, the bubbles exploded, a few popping against her cheek. Instantly her mind recalled Adam’s touch, the way he’d gently tugged her hair. At that moment, his unguarded gaze had held a smolder she’d never witnessed in him. She frowned, wondering what it meant. How quickly it had been replaced with a twinkle. Then the snide remark about her stockings. Was it his way of covering his feelings? Why had he stared at her legs? She broke off her thoughts, remembering she wasn’t ready to get back into a relationship. Because of Dale, her trust toward men had been wounded. He’d chosen his career over her. Best not to think about the kiss she’d shared with Adam.

In the upset of the day, she’d forgotten all about her volunteer program. With a sigh of comfort, she turned off the faucet and sank deep into the water. Tomorrow was Saturday. She’d go to Auntie’s and find a way to turn her grandiose idea into a viable recruitment plan. She’d been given a chance to do something great for the residents. And she wasn’t going to let them down.

Stretching on his hind legs, Cocoa peeked over the tub to lick water droplets.

“Hi, Sweetie. Tomorrow we’re going to Auntie’s. And while we’re there, I’ll tell her to make my new dress extra long so Adam doesn’t ogle my legs. That’ll teach him.”

Late Saturday morning, Carly jumped off her bike and lowered the kickstand, taking a few moments to catch her breath. They’d gone the long way since Cocoa couldn’t tolerate barking dogs. It felt good to work off the adrenalin surging through her veins over Simon’s upcoming board meeting. She hoped Aunt Fannie could help her organize her frazzled thoughts into an engaging, workable plan.

Grabbing a yellow legal pad and tiny bell—which kept Cocoa in line when away from home—she eased the rabbit out of his soft bed in the bike’s woven-reed basket. Cocoa snuggled tight, put his ears back, and grunted with displeasure.

Aunt Fannie’s house could use a coat of white paint, but the porch smelled sweet from the autumn clematis that trailed along its railing. The latch clicked, and Auntie swung the screen door open with a smile.

“I was expecting you.” She pet the rabbit. “And I’ll put up with it.”

Inside, Carly released Cocoa and waited while Auntie prepared a litter box. Cocoa raised up on his hind legs and scoped the room, then nose twitching, hopped away to investigate the small dining room where patterns were strewn across a slightly dusty table.

“A new design?”

“Jah. I’m calling it ‘autumn paisley.’”

Carly rustled the thin tissue paper as she examined a drawing done in colored pencils. “What a fascinating design. It’s different.”

“Ach, it’s simple.” She pointed. “Just pears and leaves.”

“Jah. I see it now.”

The older woman with gray-streaked, dull brown hair took joy in creating colorful new quilt patterns. Some were tested on the Old Holley Fellowship sewing circle, but many were never revealed, awaiting her dream of publishing a pattern book.

A quick glance sent Carly scurrying from the room with her aunt soon at her heels. The women ran down the hall, and Aunt Fannie brushed past Carly, entering the tiny bedroom on the right. “Cocoa! You naughty rabbit!”

Auntie bent and tried to pry a pattern from the rabbit’s mouth. Cocoa spit it out and nipped her hand. Pulling back, Auntie screeched, “Ach! Why did I forget to close the door?”

While the older woman made repairs, Carly moved past the multicolored quilt that covered the bed and stood on tiptoe to peer onto a closet shelf. She lifted a shoe box lid labeled
Rabbit’s Toys
and withdrew an empty toilet paper roll. “Try that instead, Sweetie.”

Cocoa snatched the offering and hopped under the bed.

“Sweetie,” Auntie mimicked sarcastically.

Carly used the rabbit’s bell to lure Cocoa back into the main part of the house. Auntie closed the bedroom door and got Cocoa a raisin treat for obeying the bell. “Not that it deserves it.” She glanced at Carly. “How do you get yourself into such trouble? Keeping a spoiled rabbit for a pet. Riding a pink bike. Tearing your—”

She interrupted with a nod. “That reminds me. Make my new dress a couple inches longer than normal, will you?”

Aunt Fannie lifted a brow but remained silent.

Let her figure that out,
Carly thought. “Speaking of trouble. That’s why I’m here. I need your help with my volunteer plan.”

Auntie sighed.

“Will you?”

“Jah. Just bring your yellow pad to the kitchen. I’ll make tea. You always drive me to drinking.”

Carly grinned, having heard that line many times. “I’ve made a list of places we can advertise for recruits. The library, farmer’s market, restaurants, newspaper, radio, places of business around town and church.”

“What about Salem’s Quiltopia?”

“The quilt festival’s too soon. At least this year.”

“Jah, probably. It’s only two weeks away.” The tiny woman cranked open the antique window near her sink. “That feels better. Cocoa got me heated up.”

Carly scribbled,
Need script for radio, article for the newspaper, fliers, posters, brochures.

Auntie poured tea. “What do these volunteers do?”

Carly whipped to the next page. “Why they can do anything: crafts, singing, games, Bible groups, sharing talents like painting or teaching computers.”

“Computers! Ach. Scratch that off.”

Ignoring her, Carly continued, “Hand massage, needlework, bring pets, exercise classes, visitor companion, reading, phone companion, taking residents to get their hair done, swimming.”

“Swimming?”

Carly shrugged. “I’m just brainstorming.”

“How about scenic drives? Something to get them out of the center?”

“Good idea. But I wonder if legalities are involved. I’ll have to find out. The volunteer would have to be trustworthy. A good driver. Too bad Sweet Life doesn’t have a van.”

“You’ll have to interview them.”

“So I’ll need questions, applications that include reference checks, and I might as well come up with duties and responsibilities.”

Auntie glanced at the clock. “They’ll want to know how much time it requires.”

Carly scribbled. “And they’ll need supervision and accountability.” She set down her pencil and sipped her tea. “This is going to be a big job.”

“But all you need now is the plan. When it comes to implementing, you delegate.”

Gazing into the distance, Carly wondered if Sherie would get involved. What if nobody wanted to be involved? She couldn’t do everything. First, she needed someone with artistic talents to do the posters. And she didn’t have much spare time, except weekends. She worked some Saturdays. Worry traipsed up her spine. She needed to outline a timetable with phases. Her train of thought was broken when Cocoa zipped through the kitchen and back out again.

“Ach. What’s it up to now?” Auntie asked.

“Cocoa’s just playing. He’s happy.”

“Humph. It’s spoiled.”

“You’re an artist. Can you do my posters?”

“If I can find the time. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I’m taking some of my designs to the Quiltopia.”

Carly leaned back in her chair. “That’s great.”

“Now don’t tell anybody.”

“Of course not.”

“So what else you need?”

Carly shrugged. “I need a slogan to make this plan sparkle. I’ve racked my brain, and I can’t come up with anything good. I couldn’t sleep last night and won’t be able to sleep again until I have one.
Adam’s kiss hadn’t helped any.

“The gift of time is priceless.”

“You’re on the right track,” Carly nodded.

“Volunteers make each day brighter.”

“That’s good.”
But not quite right.

Auntie patted her hand. “Don’t worry, dear. It will come to you. Maybe on the ride home.”

Carly recognized the brush off, which meant Aunt Fannie was eager to get back to her project. She had her own goals and hadn’t been able to come up with the magic slogan. As she tucked Cocoa under her arm, she thanked her aunt for the help she’d given.

“You’re welcome. I hope that rabbit doesn’t jump off and break its neck.”

C
arly had avoided Adam since the kiss but would see him within the hour. She’d donned her Sunday best for the birthday party, a pink floral made in the same modest design as her solid-colored clothes. She wished her new solid blue had been ready and hoped she didn’t appear overly zealous wearing the print.

“Penny for your thoughts, over there.”

She glanced across the truck at Jimmy. Normally he wore jeans, but tonight he looked handsome dressed in loose black slacks and a white button-down shirt. It was the male uniform of Old Holley Conservative Mennonite Fellowship members. While his wavy blond hair and tall, wiry frame attracted females and his gregarious personality had filled their homes with friends, it was his protective care that was so endearing. Most of the time. “I’m just a little nervous. I’ve never been to the Lapp place.”

“You and Adam friends now?” His voice held a cautious note, probably because of the initial contention he’d stirred up with Carly when he’d asked Adam to keep an eye out for her.

Her head swiveled, “Why?”

Jimmy shrugged while turning off of the Halsey—Sweet Home Road and steering onto a narrow road with Christmas trees in neat rows on either side. “You’ve never been before, and now you’re invited.”

“Ann invited me. His sisters threw a big party since it was his thirtieth. She must have heard we were…”

He grinned. “You see my point.”

She hoped they were still on friendship status. “You’re right. Guess I never gave it much thought.”
Until lately.

“Adam warned me you’ve been getting Simon Lapp riled up over some volunteer program.”

Feeling a flash of anger that Adam had tattled, she snapped, “Sometimes that’s what it takes to get things accomplished at Sweet Life.”

“Look. I know improvements are needed, and you’re doing a good thing. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Simon wields a lot of power.”

“I know. But better I get hurt than the residents.”

Jimmy reached over and squeezed her hand. After that, they rode in companionable silence until they pulled into a long winding lane with a tall white farmhouse, bigger than most. She’d always admired it, and now her curiosity renewed.

“My goodness. Everyone we know must be here.” Carly crooked her neck to take in the scene. Across an impeccable lawn, people assembled in small clusters, some walking from a row of cars and carrying gifts. Jimmy parked at the end of the row.

Outside, Jimmy reached behind the seat and pulled out a small package. “You want me to put your name on this, too? It’s a knife.”

Her face heated. “No. I gave him a gift earlier.”

As they moved toward the house, the chatter and laughter grew louder.

“Jimmy! Over here!” Adam called from a group of guys.

Jimmy looked at her, and she motioned, “Go. Want me to take your gift inside?”

“Thanks.” He handed it to her and fled.

She saw others entering the front door and followed, stepping into a large living room where some older men were gathered. The Lapp twins sat at opposite ends of the room. She could tell them apart by their clothing and hairstyles. When the more progressive twin’s eyes lit on her, their gazes locked. Simon paused his conversation and nodded at her. Adam’s dad Roman seemed surprised to see her but motioned to a doorway. “The women are in the kitchen.”

“Thanks.”

In the kitchen, she tossed out a question in the general direction of Adam’s many sisters, “Can I help?”

Ann paused, platter of food in hand. “No, but let me show you where to take your gift.”

“You weren’t kidding when you said you were throwing a big bash. This is huge.”

Setting down the platter in the dining room, Ann grinned. “Gigantic. Isn’t it? You should have heard Adam’s groan when all the cars started arriving.” She giggled. “He never wants a party, which is exactly why we always have one. But he had no idea it would be like this.”

Carly placed the gift on a folding table against a wall. “In other words, you like to torture him.”

“We sure do.”

“Mama. Mama.” A four-year-old girl ran into the room and tugged Ann’s dress. “Jacob told us we can’t play tag with the boys.”

“Then start your own game with the girls.”

“But… okay.” Little Mary skipped away.

Ann shrugged. “And Jacob likes to torture his sisters. Gets it honest. I’ll deal with him later tonight.” She studied Carly a moment. “Actually Adam and I are close. I’m usually defending him because I’m the family peacemaker.”

Carly thought she was also the most beautiful of the sisters. While Adam took after the Lapps’ dark, good looks, Ann took after her mother, Sissie Lapp. Their brown hair had just enough waves in it to make it manageable and enhance their faces. Their blue eyes were like the ocean on a sunny day, both playful and inviting.

“He stops by my place often, letting off steam.” Ann tilted her head. “He talks about you and your work at Sweet Life.”