by Amy Clipston
Salina nodded. “I guess that’s fair.”
“Ya, it is. And when I looked out into the aisle earlier, I saw those two maed who work at the candy booth staring at me as they walked past. I think news about my argument with Jeff has spread, and I suspect Sara Ann started it. Maybe it will all blow over soon, but it might not if Jeff refuses to apologize.” Christiana just hoped he would make the effort to fix things between them before thoughts of him drove her to the brink of insanity.
* * *
“How has your week been?” Jeff asked Christiana as he stepped into her booth the following Thursday morning. The delicious aroma of her baked goods filled his senses. He’d missed her cookies.
Christiana stopped rearranging a display of pies and turned around to look at him. She looked stunning in a black apron and a bright-green dress that accentuated the green in her eyes. She studied him for a moment, and then her expression relaxed—slightly. “Okay. How has yours been?”
He squelched the urge to cheer. Those were the most words she’d uttered to him since he’d been so rude to her two weeks ago. Of course, this was the first time he’d mustered the nerve to do more than greet her in the morning.
“It’s been okay,” he said.
When she turned her attention back to her pies, he wondered if she was inventing work to avoid looking at him.
“I need to thank you,” he blurted.
She stilled and then faced him. “Thank me for what?”
“Your customers still form a long line, but they’re leaving a gap in it, and I’ve had more customers come in. I think your sign asking them not to block other booths helped.”
“Oh. Gut. I didn’t realize they were doing that. I’m glad they followed my instructions.”
He nodded as they stared at each other, and then he rubbed the back of his neck as he searched for something else to say. Why was talking to someone so difficult for him but so easy for people like Lewis and Nick? He’d had that problem even before he and Ella started dating. But now he needed to restore whatever friendship he and Christiana had before he’d lost his temper with her. Unfortunately, he still couldn’t find the words.
“It sure feels like June out there,” he finally said. “The weather has warmed up quite a bit.”
Ugh. He gave himself a mental head slap. The weather was such a banal subject, but it was better than silence between them.
“There you are!” Bethany announced as she, Leanna, and Salina stepped into the booth, ruining his chance. “When you didn’t join us for kaffi, we decided to come find you.” Bethany looked at Jeff and gave him a little wave. “Hi, Jeff.”
“Hello.” He held up his hand in greeting as disappointment whipped through him.
“I have a fresh pot of kaffi waiting in the Coffee Corner,” she told him. “I made white chocolate–flavored kaffi today”—her smile brightened—“and fresh chocolate donuts. Aren’t they your favorite?”
“They are. Danki.” Jeff studied Bethany. Did she ever get sad? Or was she bright and sunny all the time? He had a feeling she could find a silver lining in any cloud. “I’ll come by in a few minutes.”
“Fantastic,” Bethany said.
Jeff looked over his shoulder and found Christiana engrossed in a conversation with Salina and Leanna. He gave Bethany a nod and started for his booth.
He looked back at Christiana one last time. His shoulders sagged. Would she ever trust him again? Not if he couldn’t find a way to apologize.
* * *
“What was he doing here?” Leanna asked as Jeff disappeared into his booth.
Christiana shrugged. “He asked me how my week was going. Then he thanked me for asking the customers to not block other booths.”
“I saw that your sign’s working,” Salina said. “Your customers aren’t blocking Jeff’s booth anymore, at least not like they were.”
“He said they’ve been leaving a gap so other customers can get in and out of his booth. He also said his sales have improved.” Christiana acted as if it wasn’t a big deal, but she was grateful that her customers had respected her request.
“That’s fantastic,” Bethany exclaimed, just a little too loudly. Like Simply Sara Ann, she needed a volume setting on her voice, but Christiana adored her anyway.
“He sounds like he’s trying to say he’s sorry about hurting your feelings,” Salina said.
“Maybe, but he still hasn’t said the words.” Christiana tried not to sound as disappointed as she felt.
“Some people struggle with that, so they try to show you they’re sorry,” Leanna offered. “Marlin always had a tough time telling me when he was sorry,” she said. “Chester is the same way. He’ll offer to help me in the kitchen or weed my garden instead of apologizing.”
“That’s sweet,” Bethany cooed.
“I wish someone would offer to weed my garden,” Salina quipped.
“You should be nice to Jeff,” Leanna continued. “I think he’s really trying.”
“I wasn’t rude to him,” Christiana said, insisting. “I didn’t ignore him. I answered him.”
“Gut,” Leanna said.
“So are you all coming for kaffi?” Bethany pointed in the direction of her booth. “I need to get back.”
“I have work to do here.” Christiana pointed toward her pie display. “I think I’ll just drink some water.”
Bethany crossed her arms over her black apron and raised her blond eyebrows.
“Are you avoiding Jeff?” Bethany said, as if to challenge her. “Or do you not like mei kaffi?”
“I love your kaffi, Bethany. Everyone does.”
“So what’s the problem?” Bethany lifted her chin.
Out of the corner of her eye, Christiana spotted Salina’s grin. Was Salina enjoying this interrogation?
“I just need to make sure I have all my baked goods out. I don’t get much of a break once the market opens.”
But that wasn’t the whole truth. She was avoiding Jeff. She was confused by her conflicting feelings for him. On one hand, she felt sorry for him because she still found a sadness in his eyes. But on the other hand, she was still hurt by how he’d spoken to her. As she’d been taught, she’d finally forgiven him. But she longed for him to say he was sorry. She was also afraid of where her feelings would lead if he did apologize. Yes, she was confused, and avoiding him seemed to be the best solution to her dilemma.
“You should give Jeff a break,” Bethany said. “I think he deserves it.”
Christiana blinked at her cousin. What did she mean?
“Let’s go get our kaffi,” Leanna said as she and Bethany started to leave. “I’ll drink a cup for you, Christiana.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Salina gave Christiana a hug and then disappeared with their other cousins.
* * *
Jeff stepped into the Coffee Corner and was surprised when he didn’t see Christiana sitting at the high-top table. He’d assumed he’d have another chance to talk to her here, and he hadn’t noticed her in her booth when he’d walked past it.
Still, he was relieved she hadn’t given him only a cold, curt response to his questions earlier. Although progress was slow, he was at least taking baby steps, as his mamm would say.
“I know you want a chocolate donut,” Bethany said as she walked to the counter with him.
He smiled. “And you know that’s the truth.”
She handed him the donut and then poured his cup of coffee.
“Danki.” He handed her money. “I’ll enjoy this.”
“Do me a favor, Jeff,” Bethany began as she made his change. “Don’t give up on Christiana. She’s stubborn, but she’ll come around.”
Jeff paused as he studied Bethany’s sunny expression. “What do you mean?”
She waved him off with a laugh. “You don’t have to play dumb with me.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I know you hurt Christiana’s feelings, but I also know you’ve been trying to apologize to her.”
“How did you know that?”
“Christiana has told me a few things, and I can read between the lines. Christiana is stubborn, but she has a gut heart. Just promise me you won’t give up on her.”
A bit taken aback by Bethany’s urging, Jeff took a sip of coffee.
“Promise me,” Bethany said, insisting.
“Okay. I promise.”
“Gut.” Her sunny smile was back. “Now, you have a great day.”
As Jeff walked back to his booth, drinking his coffee and relishing its chocolaty taste, he contemplated Bethany’s words. Maybe Phoebe had told all the cousins about his rift with Christiana, too, but how did Bethany know so much about what had happened since? Oh, who was he kidding! He was aware that women shared everything, and most likely, Christiana had told her cousins about his lame attempts to talk to her.
Did that mean she cared about him—maybe even beyond friendship? His stomach fluttered at the thought, but he finally had to admit it appealed to him. Did he have a chance with her?
His elation faltered. Maybe so, but she could still change her mind like Ella had.
* * *
“How are things with Christiana?” Lewis asked as he sat across from Jeff that Sunday at the meal following their district’s church service.
“Not that great.” Jeff shook his head as he picked up a pretzel and popped it into his mouth.
“What do you mean? When we last talked, you said you were going to discuss how her line of customers was blocking your booth. Did you talk to her?”
Jeff rubbed at one temple. “Ya. Well, that didn’t go the way I planned.” He explained everything that had happened. “Then on Friday a mutual freind at the market, her cousin Bethany, encouraged me to not give up on her, but Christiana isn’t the problem. I am. I still can’t seem to come up with the courage to apologize to her—and our argument was two weeks ago! She hardly acknowledges me, but I guess I can’t blame her.”
Lewis shook his head. “And you wonder why you’re still single.”
Jeff guffawed. “Wow. Danki for being so supportive.”
Lewis tossed a pretzel at him, and it bounced off Jeff’s shoulder before hitting the barn floor. “Why are you such a moron?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why haven’t you tried a different angle?”
“Like what?”
“How about you invite her to have lunch with you?” Lewis snapped his fingers. “Or you could make her a gift. You’re the one who makes that amazing stuff tourists love so much.”
Ideas popped into Jeff’s head. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
“Do you care about her?” Lewis asked.
Jeff hesitated. He not only didn’t want to admit that he cared about Christiana but also that he was afraid to risk having his heart broken again.
“She’s not Ella.”
Jeff bristled at Lewis’s casual remark. He ate another pretzel and decided to change the subject. “I saw Renae before the service started, and she said hello to me. How are things going with her?”
Lewis’s expression brightened. “Great. She invited me to have supper with her family last night.”
“Really?” Jeff asked.
“I had a great time. Her dat is funny. I enjoyed talking with him.” Lewis’s expression warmed. “I really care about her, and I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend.” He lifted another pretzel. “In fact, I believe I’m falling in love.” He gave a laugh that sounded nervous. “Who would have thought, huh?”
“Ya.” Jeff hated the thread of jealousy that churned in his gut. Would he ever feel that way again? Or would he forever be a bachelor, living alone in the house that felt too big?
“Listen,” Lewis said, “back to Christiana—I can tell you’re interested in her as more than a freind. You just don’t want to admit it because you’ve been hurt. But you should finally apologize, and then, like this Bethany suggested, give her the chance to forgive you and be freinden again. Maybe try that gift or lunch idea—or both. If you don’t, you’ll always wonder if she could’ve been more than just a maedel you annoyed at the market. Sometimes friendship leads to more.”
“Fine. I’ll find a way. It’s only right,” Jeff said. “And I think you’re right about the gift or lunch. I can’t just apologize. I have to try to make it up to her somehow. But if she rejects me, I’m giving up.”
Lewis nodded. “That’s fair.”
11
“Thank you for coming in today,” Christiana told the older woman as she handed her a bag of assorted cookies Thursday morning. “I hope you’ll come back soon.”
“I sure will, sweetie. This is my favorite shop here at the market. I’ll see you again next week.”
“Great.” As Christiana gave her a little wave, she saw Jeff standing at the entrance to her booth. His intense expression sent an unexpected shiver dancing up her spine. “Jeff.”
She glanced around the booth, and when she found it empty for once, she walked over to him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him.
“I was wondering if you ever take a break for lunch. Your booth has been so busy . . .”
“Why do you want to know?” She searched his eyes.
“There’s a nice area beyond the parking lot in the back.” He pointed in that direction. “It has picnic tables and a gut view of the trees.”
She stared up at him, confusion raining down on her. He politely greeted her when she saw him, but now what was he doing? She couldn’t keep up with his moods!
When she didn’t respond, his expression hardened and he shook his head.
“Never mind,” he muttered as he turned toward his booth.
“Wait!” She grabbed his arm and spun him toward her. Had that been rejection in his eyes on top of the sadness she still saw there? It nearly split her in two. “Why were you asking me about lunch?”
He harrumphed. “Because I’ve been trying to figure out a way to apologize to you after acting like such a jerk—”
She lifted her chin and smiled. “Apology accepted.”
“What?” He searched her eyes as his mouth went slack.
“All I ever wanted was to know you were sorry.”
He ran his hand down his face. “That’s all? I thought maybe I’d have to make it up to you somehow.”
“I forgave you soon after our disagreement, but I was still hurt. Your apology frees us both to be freinden again.” She grinned. “If you’re asking me to have lunch with you, I’d love to. I’m tired of working straight through the day anyway. What time? I did bring a lunch.”
“So did I. How about one thirty since we always have a rush of customers at noon?”
“Okay. I’ll put a sign up saying I’m closed from one thirty to two. My customers can adjust.” She glanced over her shoulder to see more customers arriving. “I’ll meet you at one thirty.”
“Great.” He smiled, and her pulse sped up.
* * *
“What inspired you to open your bake stand?” Jeff asked Christiana as she sat across from him at a picnic table. She looked so pretty sitting across from him with a warm smile brightening her face.
“Well, I always loved to bake. Mei mammi, mei dat’s mamm, taught me how when I was little.” She shook a handful of chips onto her paper plate next to her ham sandwich and then handed him the bag. “When she passed away a few years ago, she left me her favorite cookbooks. I started baking to work through my grief of losing her. Then I started selling baked goods to neighbors. I also began collecting cookbooks as a hobby, buying them at yard sales and used bookstores. Trying new recipes is fun for me.”
She popped a chip into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “My baking business sort of got out of hand when my neighbors started placing orders. Mei mamm suggested I open a roadside stand so I could be a little more organized. Mei dat built the stand, and I started selling baked goods just about every day but Sunday. Then my cousins suggested I move the business here.”
“That’s a neat story.” He put the last bite of his roast beef sandwich into his mouth.
“What about you? Did you say your daadi taught you how to make leather and wood items?”
He nodded as he swallowed. “Ya, it’s the same story, really. Mei daadi taught me, and then he bought me my tools. I was visiting the market with mei mamm about a year ago, and she suggested I open the booth.” He picked up an apple. “Are your cousins your closest freinden?”
“Ya.” She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Salina, Bethany, and I are close in age. Leanna is a little bit older, but we’re all close.”
“And Phoebe is your only sibling?”
“Right. She’s seven years younger than I am, but we get along really well. I think the world of her.” She pointed her sandwich at him. “You told me you have a younger bruder, Nick. Does he look like you?”
“Ya and no.” He sighed. “He has dark hair and eyes like mine, but he was blessed with straight hair instead of this.” He pushed back the curl on his forehead, but it landed in the same place. “He doesn’t have to try to beat his hair into submission every morning.”
“Aww.” She shook her head. “How could you possibly complain about your hair? It’s gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous?”
“Ya. It is.” She pointed to his head. “I love that one curl. It’s adorable.”
Compliments? He hadn’t expected any of those today. “He’s also taller. He’s nearly six feet.”
“Wow.” Her eyes widened. “Is he married?”
“No, but he has a serious girlfriend. I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked her to marry him soon.”
“That’s nice. What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No.” He pushed past the image of Ella that popped into his mind. “I sure don’t. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” She shook her head, and he did his best to hide his surprise.
A maedel as pretty and wonderful as she was should have been snatched up by a young man in her church district by now.