The Bake Shop

by Amy Clipston

  “And . . .” Christiana was grateful the focus had moved from her to someone else.

  “And I don’t know.” Salina gave a little smile. “He’s handsome and he’s kind. I would go out with him if he asked.”

  “Ooh!” Bethany clapped. “Maybe both of you will have boyfriends soon.”

  “There they are!” Mammi stepped out onto the porch and smiled. “I knew I’d find you four together. How are you all?”

  Christiana smiled as her grandmother sat down on a rocking chair next to her. She always enjoyed spending time with her grandmother. At the age of eighty, Mammi had gray hair, and wrinkles outlined the same warm blue eyes she’d given to Christiana’s mother. She stood about three inches shorter than Christiana and walked with a slight limp because of pain in her knee. Christiana adored how her grandmother always made time to talk to her and her cousins. She was more than their grandmother; she was their sweet and special second mother who offered an ear when they needed someone to listen and sage advice when they craved it.

  “How are things at the marketplace?” Mammi asked.

  “They’re gut, Mammi,” Salina said. “Christiana’s business is booming, and we’re so froh she joined us.”

  “Is that right?” Mammi looked at Christiana. “You’re selling quite a lot of baked goods?”

  “Ya. I am.”

  “And she’s made a new freind too,” Bethany said, chiming in.

  “Oh?” Mammi leaned toward Christiana and lowered her voice. “Is he handsome?”

  Leanna and Salina laughed as Christiana blushed.

  “How did you know it was a man, Mammi?” Leanna asked with a chuckle.

  “Because you wouldn’t have mentioned her freind if he was a maedel, right?” They all laughed again. How Christiana loved her grandmother’s sense of humor!

  “He is handsome,” Christiana said. “But he’s only mei freind.”

  “That’s a gut way to start,” Mammi said. “Your daadi and I started out as freinden.” She gave Christiana’s hand a little squeeze. “Take your time, sweetie. You’re young.”

  Christiana nodded.

  Mammi turned to Leanna. “How is your Jam and Jelly Nook? I need to get some more strawberry jam from you.”

  As Mammi continued to talk to the others, Christiana thought about her relationship with Jeff. Had God led them to each other? Did Jeff feel the Lord’s blessing on their friendship?

  Her grandmother and cousins were right. She shouldn’t expect this relationship to move too fast—for her sake as well as for Jeff’s. She needed to trust God’s timing.

  18

  Jeff sat at the high-top table in the Coffee Corner on Friday morning a month later. He smiled as Christiana and her cousins laughed. A customer had asked Leanna if she bought her jams and jellies from a store and then put her own labels on the jars.

  “Why would I put up a sign saying homemade jams and jellies if I only sold store-bought jams and jellies?” Leanna tilted her head. “Don’t you think someone would report me for false advertising?”

  “I think so.” Christiana turned her bright smile on Jeff, and his heart seemed to turn over in his chest.

  He was falling for her, and though it had taken some time, he felt ready to take their relationship to the next level. For several weeks, he and Christiana had enjoyed lunch together every day they were at the market. They had a routine. They met at the Coffee Corner in the morning, and then at one thirty they ate together at the picnic tables, taking turns bringing lunch. In the evenings, he walked her out to the parking lot and helped her load her racks and supplies into her driver’s van.

  Their lunchtime talks had grown more intimate, and he felt safe sharing his feelings with her. Christiana had become his friend, a dear friend, but he wanted more. He wanted to be her boyfriend, but he needed to meet her family and invite her to meet his.

  “What gegisch questions have customers asked you?” Leanna asked Christiana.

  “Well . . .” Christiana tapped her chin. “One woman asked me if I cooked on a fire pit in my backyard.”

  Her cousins hooted and cackled as Jeff chuckled.

  “You can’t be serious,” Bethany said as she wiped her eyes.

  “Unfortunately, I am serious.” Christiana nodded.

  “What did you tell her?” Leanna asked.

  “First I tried not to laugh.” Christiana chuckled. “Then I politely told her that we have propane-powered stoves and refrigerators. She looked confused, but she didn’t ask any more questions.”

  “That’s hilarious,” Salina said. “Some people just don’t understand our culture.”

  “No, they sure don’t.” Bethany turned to Jeff. “You’re awfully quiet this morning. Are you feeling okay?”

  Jeff lifted his cup. “I’m just enjoying your fantastic kaffi. I love this vanilla caramel.”

  “Do you?” Bethany grinned. “I thought I’d try something different.”

  “She’s a genius,” Leanna said.

  Bethany smiled at the floor. “Gude mariye, Daisy. Do you want your breakfast?”

  Daisy meowed and followed Bethany to the counter, where Bethany pulled out a bowl and a bag of food for the gray tabby.

  “I’m convinced Daisy spends the day going booth to booth just for food,” Jeff quipped.

  Salina laughed. “I agree. Have you noticed how round she’s become?”

  “Oh no.” Christiana looked at Bethany’s clock. “We need to get going. The market opens in ten minutes.” She hopped down from the stool and looked at Jeff. “Are you ready?”

  “I am.” Jeff stood beside her and looked at her cousins. “Have a gut morning.”

  “You too,” Bethany sang out.

  Jeff nodded and then followed Christiana.

  “You have been quiet all morning,” Christiana said as they walked down the aisle toward their booths. “Is something on your mind?”

  He nodded. “Ya, I suppose it is.”

  She stopped and looked up at him with some hesitation. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  He took a deep breath. “We’ve been freinden for about a month now, right?”

  “Ya. I think a little longer, actually. Why?” Her eyes seemed to search his.

  “Maybe it’s time we each met the other’s family.” His chest constricted as he awaited her response.

  “Really?” Her face lit up. “That would be so nice.”

  “Gut.” Relief whipped through him. “Would you like to go to church with me on Sunday? I could come to your haus and meet your family, and then I could take you to mei haus to visit with my family after church—if your dat says it’s okay, of course.”

  “I would love to do that. Let me ask mei dat, and then I’ll let you know.”

  “Gut.” He took her hand in his, and heat sizzled up his arm, sending his senses spinning. “I really hope he agrees.”

  * * *

  “How was your day at the market?” Mamm asked as the family sat down for supper later that evening.

  “It was gut.” Christiana took a bowl of mashed potatoes from Phoebe and scooped a pile onto her plate. “I sold out of German chocolate kuchen today. I was surprised. Last week it was carrot kuchen.”

  “That’s interesting how different baked goods are popular each weekend,” Phoebe said.

  “Ya.” Christiana peeked at her father and found him looking down as he cut his steak.

  She took in his pleasant expression. He’d seemed to be in a good mood when he arrived home from work, smiling as he talked about the house he and his crew had finished today. She longed to ask him if she could go to church with Jeff on Sunday, but she worried he might say no.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “What?” Christiana turned toward Phoebe. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

  Phoebe’s eyes narrowed for a split second as if she were analyzing her. Then she smiled. “I said Mamm and I finished the lone star quilt we were working on. The customer came to pick it up, and
she was pleased with it.”

  “I’m sure she was.” Christiana cut her steak as she spoke. “It was such a schee quilt.”

  “I agree,” Dat said, chiming in. “I’m not surprised that the customer was froh with it. I think it was your best work.”

  “Danki, Freeman.” Mamm beamed at him.

  “Gern gschehne.” Dat winked at Mamm as he lifted his glass of water. “You and Phoebe are the best quilters I know.”

  Christiana grinned. Dat was in a very good mood. Now was the time to get his permission. “Dat,” she began, “I want to ask you something.”

  Dat turned his attention toward her as he chewed.

  “You’ve heard me talk about mei freind Jeff at the market,” she said, and he nodded. “He asked me to go to church with him and his family on Sunday. So I want to ask your permission to go.” She held her breath as she awaited his response.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Phoebe’s expression brighten, and she hoped her sister would keep her excitement to herself. Now was not the time for one of her outbursts.

  “Why does he want you to go to church with him?” Dat asked.

  “We’ve been getting to know each other for more than a month now, and he’d like me to meet his family.” She added quickly, “He’d like to meet you as well, Dat. If he picks me up, he can do that before we leave for the service.”

  Dat glanced at Mamm, and when she gave him a slight nod, Christiana’s pulse skittered with excitement.

  “Ya, you have my permission.” Dat held up his finger. “But your freind must come into our haus and meet me before you leave. Giving my permission for this visit is not the same as giving you permission to date him.”

  “I understand. Danki, Dat. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

  “You will,” Phoebe said. “He’s a nice man.”

  “Gut.” Dat turned to Mamm. “Do you have any new orders for quilts?”

  “I do. Now that we’re almost into August, people are starting to order for Christmas presents. I think Phoebe and I will stay busy this fall.”

  Christiana looked down at her plate as excitement buzzed through her.

  Dat said ya!

  She was going to church with Jeff, and she was going to meet his family. She had to wear her favorite teal dress.

  She bit her lower lip as she imagined meeting his mother and father. What if they didn’t like her? She tried not to get too nervous at the thought.

  “Christiana?”

  “Ya?” She looked up and found her family staring at her.

  “Would you like more mashed potatoes?” Mamm asked, looking curious about more than second helpings.

  Christiana shook her head. “No, danki.”

  “Then I think we’re ready to clean up,” Mamm said.

  Christiana gathered up the plates and utensils and then carried them to the counter.

  “I’m going out to the barn.” Dat kissed Mamm’s cheek.

  Christiana hugged her arms to her chest. Her parents’ rare public displays of affection always took her by surprise. She found herself imagining her own future marriage. Would her husband kiss her cheek like that? Would he tell her he loved her even when relatives or friends surrounded them?

  Would he be Jeff?

  She swallowed back a sigh. Why was she imagining Jeff as her future when she hadn’t even met his parents? When he hadn’t even told her that he cared about her as more than a close friend? She needed to keep taking Salina’s advice and set her heart on an even course.

  Dat disappeared through the mudroom, and the sound of the screen door clicking shut came through to the kitchen.

  “You’re going to meet Jeff’s family on Sunday,” Mamm said. “That’s a big step.”

  “Ya, it sure is,” Phoebe said.

  Christiana nodded as she brought the glasses to the counter.

  “Aren’t you excited?” Mamm turned on the faucet to fill the sink.

  “I am.” Christiana did her best to keep her voice even as she turned to collect the serving bowls and platters.

  “Why don’t you sound like it?” Phoebe stood at the table, ready to wipe it down.

  “I’m naerfich.” The words burst from Christiana’s lips. “What if his family doesn’t like me?”

  “Oh, Christiana.” Mamm turned toward her and touched her cheek. “They’ll love you. You’re sweet and schee. You’re everything a parent would want for a daughter-in-law.”

  “Daughter-in-law?” Christiana shook her head. “No, no, no. I don’t think Jeff is ready for that.”

  “He might not be now, but I have a feeling he will be sometime soon.” Mamm turned back to the sink and added dishwashing soap as she turned off the running water. “Didn’t you say he’s twenty-eight?”

  “He is, but he hasn’t even mentioned dating me,” Christiana said. “We’re really only freinden.”

  “Taking you to meet his family and to his church is a step toward dating,” Phoebe said. “Shouldn’t you know that? You’re a lot older than I am, Christiana.”

  Mamm chuckled as she washed the first plate and then placed it in the drying rack. Christiana picked it up and began to wipe it dry with a towel.

  “He’s taking things slowly, and so am I,” Christiana said.

  “Just wait and see,” Mamm said with a warm smile. “I think the Lord has a wunderbaar plan for you and Jeff.”

  * * *

  “Mei dat said ya,” Christiana told Jeff the following afternoon as they sat at a picnic table outside the market. “You can take me to church tomorrow.”

  Jeff had overslept and arrived at the market just as it was opening this morning, so he’d had to anxiously wait for lunchtime to find out what her father said.

  “That’s great.” He grinned across the table at her. “I’m so relieved.”

  “I am too.” She picked up her bottle of water. “You can pick me up tomorrow morning, but Dat does expect you to come inside to meet him before we leave. You’ve already met mei mamm and schweschder, but they’re excited to see you.”

  “Okay.” He felt his smile falter.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Ya.” He pushed his hand through his thick hair. “I’m just concerned about meeting your dat. You said he’s very strict. Is there anything I should say or do to impress him?”

  Her expression told him she was amused. “Just be yourself, and you’ll do fine. He’s strict, but he has a gut heart. He’ll probably ask you about your business and your parents. You’ll be great.”

  Dread made him feel a little queasy. What if he said the wrong thing and her father disapproved? Then he’d have to ride to church alone and try to explain to his family what he’d done to ruin his chances with Christiana. He grimaced.

  “Jeff?” She leaned forward. “You look like you might be krank. Is your ham salad okay?”

  “The sandwich is great.” He sat up straighter. “I’m not krank. I’m just naerfich. I’m worried that I’m going to say something wrong, and then your dat won’t let you go to church with me.”

  “I’ll say it again. You’re going to be just fine.” Her smile wobbled. “But do you think your family will approve of me?”

  He laughed. “You don’t have anything to worry about. They can’t wait to meet you.”

  “Gut.” She smiled. “Tomorrow will be wunderbaar.”

  “Ya, it will.” He smiled as he imagined Christiana meeting his parents. He just hoped her father was as open to meeting him as Jeff was anxious.

  19

  Jeff stood on Christiana’s back porch the following morning and wiped his sweaty palms on his trouser legs. He knocked on the door and then released a quaking breath.

  The door swung open, revealing Christiana clad in a bluish-green dress that complemented her fiery-red hair.

  “Gude mariye,” she said, and when her smile widened, his pulse zipped through his veins.

  “Gude mariye.”

  “Come in.” Christiana beckoned him to follow
her into the house. “My family is looking forward to seeing you.”

  He followed her through the mudroom into a spacious kitchen, where her parents and Phoebe all stood.

  “Jeff, you remember mei mamm, Lynn. You met the day I moved into the booth.” Christiana pointed to her mother. “And you’ve met Phoebe a few times when she’s helped me at the market.”

  “It’s nice to see you again.” He shook her mother’s hand.

  “You too,” Lynn said.

  “And this is mei dat, Freeman.” Christiana made a sweeping gesture toward him.

  Jeff quickly took in her father’s appearance. Freeman was slightly taller than Jeff, and he had graying light-brown hair and a matching beard. His eyes were light blue, not blue-green like Christiana’s.

  He gave Jeff a stern nod and held out his hand.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jeff said as he shook his hand.

  “You too.” Freeman seemed to study him. “What is your intention with mei dochder?”

  Jeff faltered and turned to Christiana, who bit her lower lip. He swiveled back to her father and cleared his throat. “I think a lot of Christiana. She’s already a dear freind, and I’m enjoying getting to know her.”

  “Gut.” Freeman nodded. “Just be careful on your way to church and on your way back. You know how traffic can get sometimes. These tourists don’t know how to drive with buggies around.”

  “Of course. And if it’s okay with you, after church I’d like to take her to my parents’ haus to visit. I’ll be sure to have her home by suppertime.”

  “That will be fine.”

  “Danki.” Jeff turned to Christiana. “We need to leave now if we want to have a few minutes to socialize before the church service starts. Are you ready to go?”

  “Ya, I am.” Christiana gave her mother a hug. “I’ll see you later.” She waved to her father and sister.

  “Be safe,” Lynn called.

  Jeff walked with her out to the buggy. “Do you think it went okay?”

  “It went great.” Christiana gave his hand a squeeze before climbing into the buggy.

  He hurried around to the other side and hopped in. When he turned toward her, she seemed to squirm under his stare.