by Amy Clipston
“Christiana,” Bethany called. “This shelf is really loose. I think it might collapse if I put anything on it.”
“Oh.” Christiana frowned. “I don’t have any tools here.”
“I definitely have tools.” Jeff jammed his thumb toward his booth. “I’ll be right back.”
“Danki.” Her expression seemed to fill with relief. “Some deliverymen are coming later to install a propane oven for me. Mei dat wanted to be here, but he’s working on a big haus project and couldn’t come today.”
“Is he in construction?”
She nodded. “Ya. He owns a brick mason business. Didn’t you say your dat is a dairy farmer?”
“Ya, that’s right.” Jeff took some steps backward. “I’ll be right back with tools.”
* * *
As Jeff disappeared from the booth, Bethany sidled up to Christiana and bumped her with her shoulder. “He’s awfully eager to help you, isn’t he?”
“I think he’s just being nice.” Christiana looked toward the shelves. “You’re all doing great. I appreciate the help.”
“I’m froh to help. You helped me set up the Coffee Corner.” Bethany wiped her hands down her black apron. “You know, I have an idea that might help you build your customer base.”
“Oh ya?”
“What if I sold some of your kichlin and pie in the afternoon along with mei kaffi? I can tell customers you’re selling more here, and it will drive some of them over to check out your baked goods.”
“Oh, Bethany!” Christiana hugged her. “I love that idea. Danki. Your Coffee Corner is so busy that your idea will definitely help me.”
“I hope so!” Bethany smiled. “Speaking of the Coffee Corner, I better get going. I have to check on the coffeepots.”
“Danki again.” Christiana touched her arm. “I’ll be over for kaffi after I get organized.”
“You’re going to do great.” Bethany gave her a quick hug. “I’ll see you later.” Then she hurried out of the booth.
Jeff reappeared with a small toolbox. “Which shelf is it?”
“It’s over here. This one.” Salina waved him over. “But I noticed one over there needs to be tightened too. I’ll show you.”
Jeff set to work securing the shelves, and Christiana walked to where Leanna had finished organizing supplies around the counter. Christiana circled behind it.
“Danki for helping with this.” Christiana looked down at the shelves beneath the countertop. All her bags were neatly piled according to size.
“Gern gschehne.” Leanna pointed to the cash register. “I turned it on and organized your money inside. The register tape is loaded too.” She showed Christiana how the register worked. “This is better than using a cash box. People appreciate having a receipt too.”
“Danki for suggesting I buy a register like yours. This is perfect.” Christiana breathed a sigh of relief. She was almost ready to open.
Leanna tapped Christiana’s shoulder and pointed. “Look at that.”
Christiana followed her gaze to where Chester stood next to Jeff. As Jeff pointed, Chester turned a screwdriver and tightened the shelf in front of them.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Leanna asked.
“Ya, it is.” Christiana leaned forward on the counter and smiled at the friendship that seemed to be blossoming between Chester and Jeff.
Jeff’s expression was warm as he watched Chester stick out his tongue in deep concentration. Jeff was a nice man, and he would most likely be a nice father someday. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand and studied his smile as she watched him instruct Chester at the second shelf. He pushed that curl she’d noticed off his forehead, but it bounced back as if in protest.
“Christiana.”
“What?” Christiana stood up and found her mother and sister staring at her.
“I’m trying to tell you we need to head home,” Mamm said as she and Phoebe walked over to the counter.
“Can’t I stay and help Christiana today?” Phoebe folded her hands as if saying a prayer. “I promise I’ll work hard.”
Mamm shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no. We have to start on chores.”
Guilt weighed heavily on Christiana’s shoulders as her younger sister’s frown deepened. “Maybe you can help another day.”
Phoebe nodded. “Ya. Maybe.”
Christiana hugged her mother and sister. “Danki for helping today. I’ll call a taxi when I’m ready to come home.”
“Have a gut day.” Mamm squeezed her hand. “I’m proud of you.”
“Danki.” Christiana’s voice quavered as she smiled.
“I need to get to my booth too,” Leanna said. “I’ll check in with you later.”
Christiana hugged her cousin and thanked her again for her help. When she glanced toward the far shelves, she found Chester standing by them alone. Jeff had disappeared without saying good-bye. Once again, guilt washed over her. She had to thank him for hanging the sign and fixing the shelves. But why hadn’t he told her he was leaving? Why was he so standoffish and quiet when he’d been friendly before? Did he not like her? But then why had he offered to make the sign?
Yet he hadn’t brought the coffee he’d promised. Maybe he was just overall socially awkward. It was too soon to tell.
“Let’s go, Chester,” Leanna said. “I need your help stocking shelves.”
“Okay.” Chester waved at Christiana. “See you later.”
“Bye, Chester. Danki for your help.” Christiana waved as they left.
“I think I got everything organized.” Salina walked over to the counter. “I need to head out, too, but I’ll stop by later.”
Christiana thanked her, and then she turned to the rolling baker’s rack behind her and began unloading the rest of its contents. She set some baked goods on the counter and others on shelves. She had just put up the last box of chocolate chip cookies when the warm, delicious aroma of coffee filled her nostrils.
She spun to find Jeff standing behind her, holding two cups of coffee.
“Jeff. Hi.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “You startled me.”
“I’m sorry.” He held up a cup. “This is for you. I promised you a cup of kaffi yesterday. Remember? This is your official welcome to the market.”
She studied his dark eyes, the color of dark chocolate. He seemed eager to be her friend, but she couldn’t help but feel now that whatever secrets he had were none of her business. Besides, some of his manners were a little questionable too. “This is kind of you, but I feel like I should pay you for mei kaffi.” She reached into her pocket for more money.
“No.” He shook his head. “I insist.”
“Fine, but I pay for your next cup.” She nodded toward the far shelves. “Danki for the repairs and for being so nice to Chester.”
His dark eyebrows lifted. “Gern gschehne. But why wouldn’t I be nice to Chester? He’s a great kid.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. He’s just eager for a man to teach him things since he lost his dat three years ago. He looked froh while you were showing him how to use the screwdriver.”
“Oh. I didn’t know about his dat.” Jeff’s smile flattened. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I just wanted to thank you. You were a big help today, and I think Chester liked being your assistant.” She sipped her coffee and then turned toward the entrance of the booth as voices sounded from the aisle.
“I think the market’s open,” Jeff said.
“Oh.” She chewed her lower lip.
“It will be fine,” he said as if reading her anxiety. “Your booth looks fantastic. I’ll check on you later.” He lifted his cup again and then left.
A group of women stepped into her booth, and one of them gasped as she glanced around.
“Look, Tootie,” she said. “It’s the Amish bakery that girl at the Coffee Corner told us was opening today.”
“How wonderful!” Tootie exclaimed, and then she set her ey
es on Christiana. “Hi! What flavors of whoopie pies do you have?”
Christiana set her coffee cup on the counter and then walked toward the front of the booth. “Good morning. What flavors are you looking for?” She squared her shoulders and smiled as excitement rushed through her. She was ready to help the first customers at her new bake shop.
5
Jeff stood outside the Bake Shop that afternoon and watched the crowd of customers grabbing baked goods. Just like all morning, a steady stream of them never stopped filing in and out of the Bake Shop. It seemed that Christiana’s had become the most popular booth in the market—instantly.
He rubbed his chin and marveled. Christiana kept a pleasant smile on her pretty face as she checked out customers at the counter near the back of the booth. She seemed unfazed as the line of people ready to pay never seemed to shorten. He admired her patience and talent. Obviously, her baked goods were fantastic or customers wouldn’t bother to buy them. The delicious, tempting smells of freshly baked cookies had wafted over from her newly installed propane oven to taunt him all day. His stomach had even growled several times as the aroma beckoned him to go buy some of those heavenly smelling treats.
He folded his arms over his chest and watched Christiana for a few more minutes, waiting to see if she would notice him. But she didn’t seem aware that he was lurking outside her booth. He studied her attractive face. Surely she had a boyfriend.
But what did it matter? He would keep his distance and just be Christiana’s friend if she needed him. Like he’d decided, he’d be friendly enough but not allow the opportunity to become attached. Maybe he’d talk to her later.
“Excuse me,” a voice said behind him. “Do you run the Unique Leather and Wood Gifts booth next door?”
“Ya, I do.” Jeff turned to face the woman. “How may I help you?”
“I’d like some personalized leather bracelets for my nieces and nephews.”
Finally! A customer!
“Wonderful. Come tell me which designs you like best.”
* * *
“It looks like you had a busy day,” Salina said as she walked back to the counter in Christiana’s booth later that afternoon. “You had a line every time I glanced over here.”
“Busy? You could say that.” Christiana stopped counting the money in her cash register and glanced around the booth. “I ran out of shoofly pies, chocolate chip kichlin, crumb kuchen, lemon bars, and chocolate kuchen.”
“It’s a gut thing you have until next Thursday to restock. You have a lot of baking to do.” Salina leaned on the counter. “You should probably plan for more customers next week. Not only will word get around about your booth, but it’s Memorial Day weekend. We’ll be inundated with tourists who’ll be spending their time off in Amish Country.”
“Oh.” Christiana tapped her chin. “I’ll have to get Mamm and Phoebe to help me bake even more, then. They offered to bake for me when I’m here, but I’m going to have to ask them to help more than I thought I’d need. How was your booth today?”
“It was busy for me too. I’m just about out of green peppers and celery.” She cupped her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn. “I’m worn out. We can walk outside together if you’re ready to go home.”
“Ya. I already packed up my leftovers. I just need to put my cash in my money bag.” Christiana slipped the bills and change into the bag and then looked toward the exit. “Have you seen Jeff this afternoon? I haven’t seen him since this morning.”
“Ya, I saw him talking to a few customers earlier.”
Christiana removed a box of macadamia nut cookies from one of her racks. “I’m going to see if he’s still in his booth. If he is, I’m going to give these to him before I call for my ride.”
Salina grinned. “I think he’ll like that. He seems to really like you.”
“Please don’t start.” Christiana narrowed her eyes. “He’s just a freind, and nothing more. After he helped set up the booth this morning, he brought me kaffi. That’s why I want to do something nice for him.” She studied Salina. “What about you and Josiah Yoder?”
“What?” Salina’s brow furrowed. “We’re just freinden. You know our parents are close.”
“Right.” Christiana tilted her head. “I’ve seen how you two always talk after church.”
“Trust me. He’s not interested in me.” Salina nodded toward her booth. “I’ll get my coolers together and then wait for you here so you have some privacy with Jeff.” She grinned again.
“Stop, Salina.” Christiana frowned. “I’m not interested in him.”
“Right,” Salina deadpanned. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Christiana carried the box of cookies to Jeff’s booth and found him cutting pieces of leather at his workbench. The burning smell of the burnishing machine filled her lungs as she approached him.
“Aren’t you getting ready to go home?” she asked.
He looked up at her and smiled. “Hi. I was just cutting some leather pieces for bracelets so I don’t have to do it at my shop at home.”
“You shouldn’t stay late.” She sat down on a stool next to him. “I haven’t seen you all day. Have you been busy?”
“It’s been okay.” He shrugged. “Certainly not as busy as your booth. I saw your line earlier. It looked like it was never going to end.”
“Ya.” She blew out a deep breath. “It’s much busier than my stand ever was. I was glad I brought a sandwich so I could wolf it down when I had a chance. And the couple of times I visited the ladies’ room, Salina asked customers to wait, and they did!” She held out the box. “I have something for you.” She handed it to him. “Didn’t you say macadamia nut cookies are your favorite?”
“Ya, they are.” He pulled a wallet from his pocket. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. It’s a thank-you for helping me this morning and then bringing me kaffi.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t be gegisch.” She waved him off. “I hope you enjoy them.”
“I will, and I might share them with my family too.” He smiled, and her heart seemed to turn over in her chest.
“I’ll see you next week.” She stood. “Take care.”
“You too.”
As she headed back to her booth, she thought about how nice Jeff had just been. Maybe they could become good friends. But that was all. Her heart would just have to get over how handsome he was when he smiled.
* * *
“Jeff!” Mamm announced as he walked into his parents’ kitchen later that evening. “How was the market today?”
“It was fine.” Jeff couldn’t worry his mother by admitting that the business was failing. Instead, he handed her the box of cookies, turning her attention to the surprise. “I brought dessert from my new neighbor.” He turned toward the table where his brother and father sat awaiting their supper. Kathy, Nick’s girlfriend, was setting a platter of Swedish meatballs on the table, and they greeted each other.
“Oh, kichlin,” Mamm said. “Macadamia nut?”
“Ya.”
“The market has a bakery now?” Kathy asked as she set a bowl of egg noodles next to the meatballs.
“Ya, it just opened today. The booth beside mine was empty for a couple of weeks, but now a maedel is selling baked goods there.” Jeff washed his hands at the sink. “She’s already staying busy, so I believe her baked goods are fantastic. The smell of her cookies had my stomach growling all day long.”
“That’s nice that you brought us some of her kichlin to enjoy.” Mamm set the box on the counter and grabbed a large bowl of salad. “You’re just in time. We were just going to sit down.” She put the bowl in the center of the table.
Jeff sat down across from Nick.
Kathy set bottles of homemade salad dressing on the table and then sat down beside Nick. They exchanged loving glances, and Jeff felt a familiar pang. How he missed having someone to love and confide in, but he dismissed the loneliness that teased him.
>
After Mamm sat down, they bowed their heads in silent prayer before filling their plates.
“Who is the baker in the booth next to yours?” Kathy asked.
“Her name is Christiana. She had a bake stand that was too busy, so she decided to move her business to the market.” Jeff sliced a meatball and then forked a piece into his mouth.
“By any chance, have you seen the maedel who dumped kaffi on you?” Nick smirked.
“Dumped?” Kathy said, her hazel eyes sparkling in the warm late afternoon sunlight pouring through the kitchen windows. “When did this happen?”
“Thursday,” Mamm said, and then chimed in with the whole story. “I managed to get the stain out of his shirt, though.”
“Oh no.” Kathy placed a hand over her chest. “Did you get burned, Jeff?”
“A little.” He shrugged as if it weren’t a big deal, because it wasn’t. “It was just an accident.”
“Have you seen her again?” Nick asked as he lifted his glass of water.
Jeff nodded and forked a pile of noodles into his mouth.
“When?” Nick asked.
Jeff hesitated. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to keep his friendship with Christiana a secret.
An awkward silence fell over the kitchen as Jeff debated how much to tell about Christiana. If he revealed that she had the booth beside him, Nick would tease him relentlessly. But Jeff was the older brother. Why should his younger brother’s heckling bother him?
“She’s the one who opened the bake shop next to my booth.” Jeff shrugged again. “Now we’re neighbors.”
“Really?” Nick laughed. “The maedel who dumped kaffi on you now has the booth beside you? That’s just hilarious.”
“That is ironic,” Dat said, agreeing.
“Were the kichlin her apology for the spill?” Kathy asked.
“No. They were more of a thank-you after I helped her set up this morning. I also made the sign for her booth last night.”
“That’s nice,” Mamm said. “It sounds like she’s become your freind.”
Jeff nodded. “She’s nice.”
“And schee, right?” Nick lifted his eyebrows.
“Excuse me.” Kathy gave him a fake pout as she crossed her arms over her blue dress and black apron. “You’re going to talk about another maedel in front of me?”