The Bake Shop

by Amy Clipston

  “You’re the most schee maedel in the world, mei liewe,” Nick assured her. “I was just asking for mei bruder’s benefit.”

  “You’d better be.” Kathy swatted his arm as Mamm, Dat, and Jeff laughed. Then she turned to Jeff. “Is she schee?”

  His parents laughed again as Nick rolled his eyes.

  Jeff snickered. “She is, but she’s not the potential girlfriend you’re all thinking she is.”

  “Why not?” Kathy’s eyes seemed to fill with curiosity. “Does she have a boyfriend? Or is she married?”

  “I don’t know.” Jeff scooped more noodles into his mouth.

  “You should find out,” Nick said.

  “I’m not interested,” Jeff said after he swallowed his mouthful. He shook his head and scooped salad onto his plate.

  “Sohn, it’s time to move on.” Mamm’s tone was gentle as she handed him the salad dressing. “Ella did, and so should you.”

  Jeff gritted his teeth so hard that the muscles in his jaw ached. Why did she have to bring up Ella? And Ella didn’t just move on. She left him!

  Another awkward silence fell over the kitchen, and Jeff stared down at his plate as painful moments ticked by on the clock above the sink.

  “These meatballs are just appeditlich, Joyce.” Kathy’s bright tone seemed forced. “I’d love to get the recipe from you.”

  “Of course, Kathy,” Mamm responded. “I’ll be sure to write it down before you leave. How are your parents doing?”

  “They’re just fine. Danki for asking. Mei dat’s shed business has been busy, and mei bruders have worked long hours with him at the shop.”

  While he finished his supper, Jeff lost himself in thoughts of Ella. She’d nearly destroyed him—and after he’d built her the exact house she’d wanted. He’d been so blinded by love for her that he’d never realized she’d somehow started pulling away from him. How could he have allowed her to have that much power over his emotions?

  He’d never do it again. He’d never allow another woman to cut him to the bone like that again.

  “Let’s try these kichlin,” Mamm announced when everyone had finished eating.

  “I’ll put on the kaffi,” Kathy said.

  “I can’t wait to try these.” Mamm set the box of cookies on the table in front of Jeff. “You try one first since the kichlin were a gift for you.”

  “Danki.” Jeff opened the box, and then he chose which cookie he wanted before taking a bite. The sweet, delicious flavor tickled his taste buds and caused him to smile. “Wow.”

  “That gut, huh?” Nick chuckled as he grabbed a cookie. “I think I need one.”

  “Me too.” Dat reached for the box.

  “Save some for us,” Kathy said, joking as she set coffee mugs on the table.

  “Your girlfriend is talented,” Nick said.

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” Jeff muttered.

  “I think she will be.” Nick pointed a cookie at Jeff. “Just give it time.”

  Jeff sighed. If only life were as easy as his brother made it out to be.

  * * *

  Later that evening, Jeff stepped out onto the porch and looked toward the rock driveway. Nick walked hand in hand with Kathy toward his waiting buggy.

  With a sigh, Jeff leaned forward on the porch railing and folded his hands. It seemed like only yesterday that Ella would join Jeff’s family for supper. Then he’d take her home, and he’d cherished their long talks in his buggy and stolen kisses as they sat in her driveway.

  But those days were gone now. Ella was married, and Jeff was alone. He tried to chase away the hollow feeling that still invaded his chest.

  Nick opened the buggy door and helped Kathy climb inside. Then he turned toward the porch. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Be safe on the road,” Jeff called. As the horse and buggy disappeared down the driveway, the screen door clicked shut behind Jeff. He craned his neck to see his father. “Are you ready to take care of the animals?”

  “Ya.” Dat nodded toward the dairy barn. “You know, your mamm means well,” he said as they walked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “When she said it’s time for you to move on,” Dat began, and Jeff sighed. “As parents, we find it hard to see our sohn unhappy.”

  “I’m not bedauerlich.” Jeff stopped walking and gestured around the farm. “I have a great life here. I have a haus, and I have my business at the marketplace.” Even though it’s not going the way I’d hoped.

  “But you’re lonely.” Dat poked Jeff in his chest. “I know you go out to your shop every night after we care for the animals. It’s your way of avoiding being alone in the haus you built for Ella, isn’t it?”

  Jeff swallowed. When had Dat become so observant?

  “This maedel at the market may not be your future fraa, but it’s okay for you to give her a chance. It’s okay for you to move on with your life. You’re entitled to happiness.”

  Jeff’s throat suddenly felt as rough and dry as the sandpaper he used to create the wooden gifts he sold in his booth. “Okay.”

  “Gut.” Dat looped his arm around Jeff’s shoulders. “And while you’re getting to know her, would you bring home more kichlin?”

  Jeff laughed as he looked at his father. “Sure, Dat. I’ll try.”

  6

  The following Thursday morning Christiana grunted as she gave the heavy rolling baker’s rack a yank, but the pesky wheels refused to move from the back of the van. She huffed and then pulled on the rack once again. It broke free, teetering over the edge of the van’s floor.

  “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Jeff appeared beside her and caught the rack as it began to fall. He set it on the ground and then lifted the second rack beside it, moving them as if they were as light as a feather. Then he slammed the van’s door.

  “Danki.” She fingered the first rack and cleared her throat. “I should have asked my driver for help, but I forgot the racks are especially heavy today. Mei dat helped me load them. He’s still a strong man.”

  “When I saw that rack break free, I thought for sure you were going to drop it and break your toes.” He pointed to her black shoes.

  “I appreciate your help, and my toes do too.” She waved to her driver, and the black van took off through the parking lot.

  He reached for the first rack. “Let me push one of these for you.”

  “Oh, you don’t need to do that.” She shook her head. “I can come back for the second one.”

  “You have those tote bags too.” He pointed to the bags sitting on the curb. “I insist.”

  “Okay.”

  He pushed the rack toward the market’s back door as she pushed the other one, and they started across the parking lot side by side.

  She looked over at him. “How was your week?”

  “It was gut.” He smiled at her. “Danki for the kichlin you gave me. They were appeditlich. My family enjoyed them too.” He leaned closer. “I didn’t want to share them, but mei mamm made me.”

  She laughed. “I’m glad you all liked them.”

  “Next time I might not take your kichlin to my parents’ haus at all. I might just hide them at mei haus.”

  She tilted her head as she looked at him again. He had his own house, but he wasn’t married. She found herself stuck on that detail for a moment. “Did you say you work on your dat’s dairy farm when you’re not here?”

  He nodded. “Ya, I do.”

  “Who helps your dat when you are here?”

  “Mei bruder, Nick. He’s four years younger than I am.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-eight.”

  “Oh.” She took in his bright, intelligent eyes and that single curl that seemed to flirt with his forehead. She couldn’t deny that he was handsome, and today he seemed so kind and thoughtful. He was also closing in on thirty. Why wasn’t he married? Was she missing something? Or was it those sometimes-puzzling manners?

  She ignored the questions and heft
ed her tote bags onto her shoulder. The answers weren’t any of her business, and she hardly knew this man!

  “Would you please push the button for the automatic door?” His question broke through her mental tirade.

  “Right.” Leaving her rack, she rushed up the ramp and pushed the button, which opened the door wide and allowed them to easily enter the marketplace.

  “Danki.” He pushed his rack inside, and she followed. Once again they pushed the racks, the main aisle wide enough to accommodate them side by side. “I suppose you do chores around your haus when you’re not here.” He nodded toward the baked goods. “And you bake.”

  “Ya, that’s right. Mei mamm and schweschder sew and quilt, and sometimes I help them. But I’d rather bake than sew.”

  “It’s going to be super busy this weekend. Prepare for an influx of tourists who came to spend the holiday weekend in Amish Country.”

  “That’s what Salina told me, so I baked more than I would have. That’s why these racks are so full.”

  “Do Phoebe and your mamm help you bake?”

  She looked up at him, surprised by his interest. “Ya, they do. Does your family help you with your wood and leather creations?”

  “No.” One side of his mouth tipped up in a half smile. “They’re supportive, but they don’t make any of the items I sell.” He pulled his rack into the booth and then pulled out a box of chocolate chip cookies. “Where would you like these kichlin?”

  “You don’t need to help me unpack.” She pointed to the back of the booth. “Would you please just put the two racks back there?”

  “I have a few minutes.” He pointed to nearby shelves. “So kichlin over here?”

  “How about you hand them to me?” she said, deciding she might as well concede.

  For the next several minutes, Jeff handed her the contents of the racks, and soon her booth was restocked and ready for the day.

  “Danki.” She held out a box of macadamia nut cookies. “Would you like to take these as payment for your help? I promise I won’t tell your family I gave them to you.”

  He laughed. “I appreciate the secrecy, but you don’t need to pay me with baked goods you want to sell.”

  “Okay. How about kaffi, then? I’m planning to go visit with my cousins at the Coffee Corner before the market opens.”

  “You don’t need to pay me at all. I’m just froh I was there to help before you broke a toe.” He pointed toward his booth. “I need to get set up too.”

  “So you won’t join me for kaffi?” Inwardly she groaned. Why had she sounded so needy—and interested? She couldn’t be developing feelings for Jeff. You just want to be his friend, remember?

  “I’ll come by after I get set up, but you don’t need to buy mei kaffi.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “Danki again.”

  He nodded and then disappeared from her booth.

  At the Coffee Corner she found her cousins sitting at their usual high-top table. When she entered the booth, Bethany hopped up and walked to the counter with her, and Christiana purchased a cup of coffee and a cinnamon donut.

  “Gude mariye.” Christiana greeted her other cousins as she joined them at the table. “How are you all today?”

  “Great.” Leanna leaned forward and grinned. “And I see you are too.”

  “What do you mean?” Christiana asked before taking a bite of her donut.

  “I saw Jeff helping you bring in your rolling racks this morning.” Leanna winked at her.

  “Is that so?” Bethany grinned. “You and Jeff, huh? Gut for you. He’s a gut man.”

  “What?” Christiana shook her head. “No, no. It wasn’t like that at all. I was struggling, and he helped me get them both out of the van. Well, he also helped me unload them.”

  “That’s really sweet,” Salina said. “I sure could use some help unloading my supplies.”

  “I don’t think he likes me like that. We’re just freinden.” Christiana sipped her coffee.

  “I don’t think that will last long,” Salina said.

  “I agree. I saw the way he looked at you last week when we were setting up your booth,” Leanna said, chiming in.

  “I saw it too,” Bethany said.

  “And he was so kind to Chester. Who wouldn’t want a nice man like that?” Leanna added.

  “Stop! I’m not interested, and neither is he.”

  “Why aren’t you interested?” Bethany’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Nothing is wrong with him, although at first I wasn’t sure. He seemed so rude.” Christiana ran her finger over the top of the table to avoid their gazes. “I just don’t have time for a boyfriend.”

  Salina snorted, and Leanna started to choke on her coffee.

  “You’re so gegisch.” Bethany rubbed Leanna’s back as she wiped her watery eyes. “You have time for a boyfriend if you make time for one.” She turned to Leanna. “Are you okay?”

  Leanna wiped her eyes and chuckled. “I am. I just wasn’t expecting that response. Of course you have time for a boyfriend, Christiana. Why wouldn’t you?”

  “I’m just so busy.” Christiana heaved a deep sigh. “If I’m not working here, I’m baking at home to get ready to come back here. Before I opened the booth, I was just as busy at home baking and running my stand. If I had a break from baking, then I had chores to do. Dating hasn’t fit into my life.”

  “You have to make time,” Bethany said. “That’s the only way you’re going to find someone to marry.”

  “What if I’m just not interested right now?” Christiana studied the liquid in her cup.

  “Gude mariye,” a sweet voice sang out.

  Christiana looked up as a pretty brunette stepped into the booth. Christiana turned to Salina as her cousin pressed her lips together in a tight frown.

  “Hi, Sara Ann.” Bethany’s greeting wasn’t quite as chipper as usual. “Do you want kaffi? Today’s special is caramel.”

  “Oh, that sounds delightful! Of course I want some!” Sara Ann’s laugh was a little too loud as Bethany jumped up and headed to the counter. “I always need your kaffi, Bethany.” She looked around the table and then stuck her hand out to Christiana. “Hi. I’m Sara Ann King, but you can call me simply Sara Ann.” She laughed as she shook Christiana’s hand, and Christiana noticed she had lovely gray eyes.

  “I’m Christiana.” She managed a smile.

  “I heard you took over that empty booth. How nice.” Sara Ann’s smile seemed a little forced too. “Do you live close by?”

  “I live in Bird-in-Hand.”

  “Oh.” Sara Ann looked around the table. “How do you know these ladies?”

  “They’re my cousins.”

  “Oh.” Sara Ann’s expression brightened. “How nice to have so many cousins. Are you married?”

  “No.” Christiana felt her eyes narrow. Why did Sara Ann ask so many questions?

  “Neither am I.” Sara Ann sighed. “But hopefully I’ll find the right man someday.” She gestured toward the booth exit. “I have a quilt booth next to Salina’s booth. Welcome to the market.”

  “Danki,” Christiana said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Here you go.” Bethany handed Sara Ann her coffee, and Sara Ann paid her.

  “I’ll see you all later. Don’t be strangers.” Sara Ann gave a dramatic wave and left.

  Christiana examined her cousins’ relieved expressions. “Why do you all seem froh she’s gone?”

  “Simply Sara Ann is our resident gossip,” Salina began. “Don’t tell her anything you don’t want broadcast all over the market.”

  “That’s exactly right,” Leanna said. “She wants to know everything about everyone, so don’t tell her anything personal. She’s been hounding me to find out what happened to my husband, but I refuse to give her any information. That’s too personal and too painful for her to use as fodder at one of her quilting bees.”

  Christiana nodded as her heart squeezed. She felt like Leanna’s husb
and had died in that accident just yesterday, but it had been three long years ago. Her heart still broke for her cousin and Chester.

  “Hi there!” Bethany’s bright tone returned as Jeff stepped into the booth. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine, danki.” Jeff’s eyes found Christiana, and his handsome face lit up with a smile. “I told you I’d come by.”

  “I’ll get your kaffi and donut.” Bethany headed to the counter. “Now that you’ve switched to my specialties, I assume you want my caramel kaffi today.”

  “Ya. Danki.” Jeff approached their table and stood between Leanna and Salina as he leaned his forearm on it.

  “You did say you’d come by.” Christiana sat up a little taller as in her peripheral vision she spotted Salina smiling at her. “I was just telling my cousins how you saved me from the teetering rack.”

  “I was afraid she was about to lose a toe,” Jeff said.

  Leanna and Salina laughed.

  “Here you go.” Bethany placed a cup of coffee and a donut on the table in front of him, and he paid her.

  “Are you ready for the rush this weekend?” he asked before sipping his coffee.

  “No.” Salina shook her head, and the ties from her prayer covering bounced off her shoulders. “I think I’m going to run out of produce too fast.”

  “I hope I run out of jams and jellies.” Leanna held up her coffee cup. “Here’s to a successful weekend.”

  “Hear, hear.” Jeff touched his cup to Christiana’s and then her cousins’.

  Christiana studied his face, taking in his bright smile and the curl that flopped over his forehead. Her attraction to him was growing despite her determination to be only friends.

  But not only did she not want to tell her cousins about the attraction, but she didn’t want to admit his strange manner was holding her back. She went through her concerns again. The way he’d rejected her offer of an apology when she first spilled the coffee on him. How he sometimes seemed so awkward when they spoke. And why did he have his own home but was still single at nearly thirty? Something seemed a bit off about Jeff. Something she couldn’t put her finger on.