The Bake Shop

by Amy Clipston

  “He’s fine.”

  Dat’s eyes narrowed. “That man put everyone in the market in jeopardy by using that machine that’s powered by electricity.” He pointed a finger at her. “I told you he was no gut! Not only did he break the church’s rules, but he put you in harm’s way. You are not going back to that market.” He pointed toward the windows. “I’ll put your bake stand back out at the road, and you can sell your baked goods there.”

  “What?” Christiana’s stomach seemed to drop. “No, you can’t do that. I need to go back to the market. I’ve built up a customer base, and I enjoy seeing my cousins there. Please don’t do this.”

  “It’s too risky for you to be there, and I don’t want you to be near that Jeff Stoltzfus.” Dat picked up his sandwich. “My decision is final.” He bit into his sandwich as if he were discussing something as mundane as the weather.

  Christiana’s body shook as anger exploded in her chest. “You’re wrong about him,” she said, seething.

  “Christiana, don’t talk to your daed that way.” Mamm’s warning was almost a whisper.

  “You should heed your mamm’s words.” Dat placed his sandwich on his plate. “I’m the head of this family, and I know what’s best for you.”

  Christiana sat up taller. “Jeff is not a bad man. In fact, he’s converted his machine to a power inverter to please you. He’s willing to do anything to prove to you that he loves me and wants to be with me.”

  “How do you know this?” Dat asked.

  “I spoke to him today after we evacuated the building.” Her hands trembled, and she gripped the table to try to steady herself. “I was worried about him, and I wanted to make sure he was okay.”

  “You were told to stay away from him,” Dat barked.

  “I know, and I have stayed away from him. But you need to trust me. And I wish you would trust Jeff. He’s not Aquilla.”

  Mamm gasped as Dat’s eyes widened.

  “What did you say to me?” Dat’s voice boomed to the ceiling.

  “I said he’s not Aquilla.” Her voice was thin and reedy, but her gaze never left her father’s.

  “Who’s Aquilla?” Phoebe divided a look between Christiana and Dat.

  “Who told you about him?” Dat demanded.

  “Mammi. She told me at church. She asked me why I was upset, and I told her all about Jeff and how you won’t let me see him. She said you’re overprotective because you don’t want Phoebe and me to wind up like Aquilla.”

  “Who is Aquilla?” Phoebe asked again. “Will someone answer me?”

  “Shh,” Mamm told her.

  Dat looked so angry. “She had no right to—”

  “Actually, she did.” Christiana’s voice rose as something inside of her shattered despite her father’s anger, and her frustration broke free. “I’m upset that you never told Phoebe or me about your bruder. We would have liked to know. I’m sorry that you lost him. I’m certain you miss him all the time. But I’m also sorry that what he did ruined your faith in your own kinner.”

  “You’re out of line,” Dat said.

  “No, I’m not.” Christiana shook her head as tears traced down her cheek. “I’ve never given you a reason to distrust me. I’ve always been a respectful and dutiful dochder. I don’t want to leave the church. I love my family and my church district. But I also love Jeff, and I want him in my life. It’s not fair that what Aquilla did has jaded you forever.”

  “You have no right to question my rules,” Dat said, nearly sputtering. “And you have no idea what it’s like to lose a sibling. I pray you never do.”

  Christiana looked at Phoebe as she sniffed and wiped her eyes with a napkin. “Of course I never want to experience that. I love mei schweschder.” Then she turned back to Dat. “But Jeff is a gut, solid Amish man. He loves me, and we want to be together. Please don’t judge Jeff because of your bruder’s mistakes. Jeff is not going to leave the church and start using drugs.”

  “That’s it, Christiana!” Dat pounded his fist on the table, and Christiana, Mamm, and Phoebe all jumped. “You are not going to go back to that market, and you are not to see Jeff again.”

  “Freeman,” Mamm began, “let’s talk about this. I think you’re being too harsh. She does have a point about Jeff. She just said he stopped using electricity. Maybe he deserves another chance.”

  Stunned, Christiana’s eyes rounded as she turned to her mother. Mamm had finally defended her!

  “Lynn, you are not going to go against me.”

  Mamm sighed. “Christiana needs to at least go back to the market when it reopens to get her things.”

  “Fine.” Then Dat turned his attention back to Christiana. “You may go back to get your supplies and close up your booth. Then you will reopen your stand here and never go to the market again.” He picked up his sandwich. “Let’s eat.”

  Christiana looked down at her plate, her appetite dissolved. “I’m not hungry.” She stood. “I’m going to my room.”

  Before her family could respond, she hurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her bedroom. After closing the door, she changed into fresh clothes and then dropped onto her bed.

  Hugging a pillow to her chest, she stared out her window and began to cry. She’d lost Jeff for good today, and she felt as if she were spiraling into a nightmare.

  She closed her eyes as she replayed her conversation and kiss with Jeff by the trees. She’d told him to try again with her father, but that had been a mistake. She had to let him know it would be a waste of time to talk to her father. Dat had made up his mind, and there was nothing she could do to change his decision.

  Where are you, God? I was certain to the depth of my bones that you had sent me to minister to Jeff. If that’s true, then why can’t I be with him? Why would you lead me to Jeff and then take him away? I’m confused, and I’m broken. Help me understand and heal my heart—

  A knock on her door pulled her from her prayer. She wiped her eyes as the door opened, revealing Mamm. She sat up and leaned back against the pillows.

  “May I come in?” Mamm asked.

  “Of course.”

  Mamm crossed the room and then sat down on the edge of her bed. “I’m sorry.” She took Christiana’s hand in hers. “You asked me to talk to your dat, and I’ve tried different ways to suggest that he give Jeff a chance. But each time he told me he wouldn’t change his mind. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to give up hope. I wanted to fix this for you because you’ve been so bedauerlich.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Christiana stared down at the log cabin quilt her father’s mother had made for her many years ago. “I thought maybe I could convince him that Jeff is a gut man when I told him he’d stopped using electricity. Then when Dat insisted he was a bad man, I snapped. I never should have brought up Aquilla, but it was just too much. I couldn’t take it anymore. Now I’ve made the whole situation worse.”

  “But everything you said was true,” Mamm told her.

  Christiana’s eyes snapped to her mother’s. “You think so?”

  “Ya, I do. That’s why I tried to tell him he’s wrong. I’m sorry I let you down again.”

  “You didn’t let me down.” Christiana reached over and hugged her mother. “Danki for trying, but now I have to figure out how to let Jeff go.”

  “Don’t give up hope, mei liewe. Keep praying and trust that God will somehow find a way for you and Jeff to be together.”

  * * *

  Jeff guided his horse up the Kurtzes’ driveway later that evening. He’d spent all afternoon working on his father’s farm and thinking about Christiana. He couldn’t get the kiss they’d shared out of his mind. He needed to see her before he went crazy.

  He halted the horse at the top of the driveway and then hurried up the back-porch steps. He knocked on the door and then waited, his pulse tripping as he imagined Christiana’s beautiful face.

  “Jeff?” Christiana asked when she opened the back door. She looked past him as she
stepped out onto the porch. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had to see you.” He smiled. “I just kept thinking that today is the day to talk to your dat. I feel confident that he’ll listen to me and give me another chance.”

  “This isn’t a gut idea.” Her grim expression sent a knife slicing through his chest. “You should leave.”

  “Why?”

  “I told mei dat about the fire, and when I said it might have started in your booth, he decided it had because you used electricity. I tried explaining that you’ve converted from electricity, but he wouldn’t listen. He said you’re a danger to me”—her voice wobbled—“and now I can’t even keep my booth at the market. I have to reopen my bake stand here.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Tell me that’s a cruel joke. It can’t be true.”

  “I wish it wasn’t true, but it is. I’m so sorry. I’ll miss you more than I can say.” She looked past him, and her eyes widened. “You need to go.”

  “No.” Jeff looked over his shoulder as Freeman started walking from the barn to the porch. He turned to face him.

  “Freeman.” He swallowed against his dry throat. “I came to talk to you. I love your dochder. Christiana is everything to me, and I want to build a life with her. Please give me your permission to date her. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you I’m worthy of her.”

  “You have a lot of nerve coming to mei haus.” Freeman looked furious as he climbed the steps. “You almost burn down the market and put mei dochder in harm’s way and then think I’m going to give you permission to date her?”

  “No one has proven that fire was my fault,” Jeff said. “And if they do prove that it was, I’ll pay to repair the damage and take my burnishing machine home.”

  “You are not welcome here.” Freeman nearly spat the words at him.

  “You’re not listening to me.” Jeff’s voice scraped from his throat. “I want to prove to you that I’m worthy of Christiana.” He walked toward him, his body thrumming with desperation.

  “A man who breaks the rules of the church is not worthy. Go.” Freeman pointed to Jeff’s waiting horse and buggy. “Leave now.”

  “Jeff.” Christiana grabbed his arm. “I’m so sorry.” Tears raced down her cheeks, and he longed to wipe them away and pull her into his arms.

  “It’s not your fault.” Jeff narrowed his eyes. “I won’t give up on you. I promise I will fight for you.”

  “Jeff,” Freeman growled. “Get off my property now.”

  Jeff turned to Freeman. “This isn’t over.”

  “Ya, it is. Now leave.” Freeman pointed to the driveway. “Stay away from mei dochder.” He turned to Christiana. “Go inside.”

  “I love you, Jeff,” Christiana said before fleeing into the house.

  Jeff marched to his buggy as renewed determination surged through his veins. There was no way he would give up now. He was going to get Christiana back. He just had to figure out how.

  * * *

  Jeff spotted lanterns glowing on his father’s back porch when he stepped out of his barn later that evening. He headed toward the lights, his parents’ faces coming into focus as he approached.

  “Jeff.” Mamm smiled at him. “Where were you so late tonight?”

  “I went to see Christiana and her daed, but it didn’t go well.” Jeff climbed the steps and then leaned back against the railing. “Now her dat blames me for the fire even though they haven’t proved it was my fault. He said I’m a danger to her.” Jeff rubbed his throbbing temples. “All I know is that I love Christiana and want to be with her, but I can’t if her daed forbids it. Now he’s forbidding her from having a booth in the market because of me. I might not ever see her again.”

  “That’s outrageous,” Mamm said. “Why is he doing this to Christiana? If she loves you, he’s just making her miserable. How can he do that to his own kind?”

  “I don’t know.” Jeff groaned. He felt as if the floor were falling out from under him. Unless he could find a way to convince Freeman he was wrong about him, he’d lost Christiana for good. How could he go on without at least seeing her beautiful face at the market?

  “I don’t believe the fire was your fault,” Dat said. “I don’t believe the power inverter caught fire.”

  “I don’t either,” Jeff said.

  “What if you prove that it wasn’t your fault?” Mamm said. “Would that convince Freeman you’re not a danger to Christiana?”

  “Maybe. But, of course, that’s not the only thing he has against me.”

  “What do you remember about the fire?” Dat asked.

  Jeff looked at his father. “It was all so strange. It was as if flames were coming from the booth next door.”

  “Christiana’s booth?” Mamm asked.

  “No.” Jeff shook his head. “The vacant booth on the other side.”

  “But if it’s vacant, how could it catch fire?” Mamm asked.

  “That’s a very gut question.” Jeff racked his brain, trying to make sense of everything that had happened today.

  “Talk to the fire marshal again as soon as possible,” Dat said. “If he can prove you didn’t start the fire, then Freeman will have to admit you aren’t a danger to Christiana at the market. Maybe he’ll at least let her keep her booth.”

  Jeff nodded. “I’ll do that. Gut nacht.” He descended the porch steps as a tiny seed of hope took root in him.

  His father called his name as he started down the path toward his house.

  “We believe in you. And Christiana does too. Don’t give up hope.”

  “Danki.” Jeff smiled. At least he had his parents. Now he just had to convince Freeman to believe in him too.

  27

  Jeff’s hand trembled as he knocked on Kent Dobson’s office door the following Saturday morning. He took a deep breath as he awaited the sound of Kent’s voice.

  “Come in,” Kent called.

  Jeff stepped into his office, which was located at the back of the market. “I came as soon as I received your message on my father’s business phone. You have something to tell me? I decided to see you in person rather than call you back.”

  “Oh. I’m glad you came, Jeff. Have a seat.” Kent sat down behind his desk and gestured to the chair in front of it.

  “Thanks.” Jeff sank into the chair and removed his straw hat. “What do you have to tell me?”

  “I met with the fire marshal earlier, and he gave me the results of his investigation.”

  “Okay.” Jeff absently twirled the hat in his hands. This is it. He’s going to ask me to clear out my booth.

  “The fire started in the vacant booth beside yours.”

  Jeff stopped twirling his hat and leaned forward. “I know I told him I thought I saw flames coming from that booth, but how is that possible if no one was in there?”

  “Matches.”

  “Matches?” Jeff shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Did you see three boys running around the market the day of the fire?” Kent asked.

  Jeff considered the question and then nodded. “I did.”

  “Well, they found a pack of matches and thought it would be fun to play with them. You’d think they’d be old enough to know better, have better things to do. But they sneaked into that empty booth, and then one of them came up with the brilliant idea to burn a newspaper left in there. Then poof!” Kent held up his hands. “It went up in flames. They dropped it and ran. Later the boy who did it felt guilty and told his father what happened. The father contacted the fire department, and he’s agreed to pay for the damages.”

  Jeff’s shoulders relaxed in relief. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear the commotion, but I’m so glad the boy told his father the truth.”

  “I am too.”

  “We should have all the repairs done next week, and I’m still planning to reopen next Thursday.” Kent frowned. “You might want to stop by your booth and see how much damage you have. I’ll reimburse you for the expense of
replenishing any of your inventory and replacing any equipment.”

  “Thank you.” Jeff stood and shook Kent’s hand. “I’m so relieved. I didn’t think my power converter had caught on fire, but when I got your message, I thought for sure I was going to be blamed. I was afraid you were going to kick me out of the market.”

  “Not at all. I’m grateful you weren’t hurt. You acted quickly when you grabbed that fire extinguisher. You’re one of the reasons the fire didn’t spread.”

  “Thank you again. I’ll see you next week, Kent.”

  Jeff stepped out into the hallway and almost walked right into Salina. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” He looked past her, hoping to see Christiana, but Salina was alone.

  “It’s okay.” Salina glanced at the office door. “Were you talking to Kent? I stopped by to find out how soon we can reopen.”

  “Ya, I was talking to Kent.” Jeff jammed his thumb toward the office. “He left a message that he had something to tell me. I was afraid he was going to say the fire was my fault, but he just told me it wasn’t.”

  Her expression brightened. “They found out what caused it?”

  “Ya.” He explained what Kent told him about the fire and then said, “The market should reopen next Thursday.”

  “That’s wunderbaar.” Salina clapped her hands.

  “Ya.” Jeff’s thoughts turned to Christiana. “How is Christiana?”

  Salina sighed. “She misses you.”

  “I miss her.”

  “She’s told me about her dat.” Salina folded her arms over her chest. “He’s always been strict, but I never imagined he’d behave like this.”

  “Do you know why?”

  Salina’s expression grew even more serious. “I do now. Christiana found out her dat had an older bruder she never knew existed. He left the church and died of a drug overdose.”

  Jeff took a moment to let that sink in. “So Freeman is afraid if I influence Christiana to leave the faith, she could follow the same path?”

  “Ya, I believe that’s it.” Salina sighed.

  Jeff leaned back against the wall and let his head smack the concrete. “I never imagined my burnishing machine would cause me to lose the love of my life and be blamed for a fire. You might not know this yet, but I went to see Freeman the evening of the fire. Not only would he not listen, but he blamed me for the fire. He assumed my burnishing machine was to blame. And, of course, I didn’t know at the time that it wasn’t.”