by Amy Clipston
“Gut.” Dat smiled. “I need to get to work. Did you tell my driver to wait for you to pack up?”
“Ya.”
“I’ll let him know that you need thirty minutes so you can talk to Jeff before you go home to bake for tomorrow.” He gestured toward the back of the booth. “And I’ll cancel the call for the men to move your oven back to the haus.”
“May I ask Jeff to take me home tonight?” she asked.
“Ya. I’ll see you then.” He turned to leave.
“Dat,” she called.
“Ya?” His eyebrows rose.
“Danki.”
“Gern gschehne, mei liewe.” Dat waved before disappearing around the corner.
Christiana swallowed a happy screech and then hurried into Jeff’s booth.
Jeff looked up from his worktable and blessed her with a dazzling smile. “Hi.” He stood.
“Hi.” She went to him, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.
“I guess you just talked to your dat.”
“I did.” She smiled up at him.
“Will you be my girlfriend?” he asked, his smile wide.
“I’d be honored to be your girlfriend.”
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “I never thought I’d hear those words come from your lips.”
“You just did, and it’s not a dream.”
“I’m so grateful.” His voice was husky. He pulled her into his arms and then leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, sending pure joy roaring through every cell of her body. “I love you, Christy.”
“I love you too,” she whispered before resting her head on his shoulder.
Epilogue
“I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week,” Christiana said as she sat between Jeff and Salina at the Coffee Corner. “This year is flying by.”
“Ya, it is.” Jeff winked at her as he lifted his cup of coffee and took a sip.
“Mammi is hosting again this year, right?” Leanna asked.
“She always does,” Bethany sang out with her usual pep. “I love when we all get together at Mammi’s haus. It’s so much fun. I’m grateful to have such a wunderbaar extended family.”
“I am too.” Christiana smiled as she looked at Jeff again. She had so much to be thankful for this year.
She and Jeff had spent a lot of time together, and she relished every minute with him. Not only were they getting to know each other better, but they were getting to know each other’s families as well.
They had fallen into an easy routine. Each week they had supper at one of their parents’ houses, and they enjoyed talking, laughing, and playing games with their families.
On market days, Jeff picked her up in his buggy, and then they started their morning at the Coffee Corner, visiting with her cousins before they walked to their booths together.
At lunchtime, they ate together at a picnic table, and they took turns bringing lunch. When it was closing time, Jeff helped her clean up and then gave her a ride home.
Christiana was so happy that most days her cheeks ached from smiling. She was so grateful that her father had finally allowed her to date Jeff.
“Well, Christy,” Jeff began as he stood, “it’s time to get to work.” He waved at her cousins. “We’ll see you all later.”
The women waved and said good-bye as Christiana and Jeff left. He threaded his fingers with hers as they walked side by side, passing Daisy, who lay in a corner of a cardboard box, napping on her back as customers pointed at her and chuckled.
“I need to ask you a question,” he said as they approached his booth.
“What?” She smiled up at him.
“Will you be my date at mei bruder’s wedding in two weeks?”
“I’d love to. I thought you’d never ask.”
“Great.” He pulled her into his booth and then cupped his hand to her cheek. “I want to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For making me the happiest man on the planet. I’ve told you this before, but after Ella left me, I thought I’d spend the rest of my life as a bedauerlich and lonely bachelor. I was miserable. Then you showed me it’s possible to find love after that kind of loss. In fact, I love you in a way I’ve never loved before. I’ve realized that God was with me all along. He led me to you, and you’re the greatest blessing in my life.”
Jeff leaned down, and her breath hitched in her lungs. When his lips brushed hers, she lost herself in his kiss, feeling as if she were floating on a cloud.
When they parted, she saw an intensity in his eyes. “You’re the love of my life, Christy. I love you with my whole heart, and I will do my best to always cherish you and make you froh.”
She touched his chin. “Ich liebe dich.”
As Jeff pulled her close for a hug, Christiana felt overwhelming gratitude. God had led her not only to the Bake Shop but to Jeff and the chance to fall in love. Now he would guide them into their future together, and she silently thanked him for his loving care.
Discussion Questions
At the beginning of the story, Jeff is still angry and hurt after his fiancée, Ella, broke up with him on their wedding day more than a year earlier. As the story progresses, he’s able to forgive Ella and move on. What do you think helped him overcome his hurt and anger?
Christiana enjoys spending time with her three favorite cousins. Do you have a special family member you like to spend time with? If so, who is it and why are you close to him or her?
Jeff opened his booth at the market to channel his grief after suffering through a painful breakup. Have you ever been through a tough time? If so, what ways did you find to cope?
Freeman refuses to allow Christiana to date Jeff when he learns Jeff uses electricity in his booth. Close to the end of the story, he realizes he made a mistake and asks for Christiana and Jeff’s forgiveness. What do you think finally made him realize he’d been wrong in keeping Christiana and Jeff apart? One thing or a combination of things?
Lynn realizes she has enabled Freeman’s tendency to be overprotective of his children. What do you think made her realize that she needed to step in and defend Christiana? Do you agree or disagree with how she handled the situation?
Christiana’s grandmother taught her how to bake and inspired her bakery business. Did you learn a special hobby or trade from a family member? If so, what is it?
Jeff is afraid to trust Christiana with his heart. He’s afraid she’ll leave him just like Ella did. Then he realizes he’s ready to love again. What do you think caused him to change his point of view on love?
Which character do you identify with the most? Which character do you think carries the most emotional stake in the story? Is it Christiana, Jeff, or someone else?
Freeman lost his older brother when he was fifteen years old, and he still grieves the loss. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find strength? What Bible verses helped?
What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?
Acknowledgments
As always, I’m thankful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt. I’m blessed to have such an awesome and amazing family that puts up with me when I’m stressed out on a book deadline.
Special thanks to my mother and my dear friend Becky Biddy, who graciously read the draft of this book to check for typos. Your friendship is a blessing!
I’m also grateful to my special Amish friend, who patiently answers my endless stream of questions.
Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.
Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so thankful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are amazing!
To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friend
ship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.
Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I appreciate how you push me to dig deeper with each book and improve my writing. I’ve learned so much from you, and I look forward to our future projects together. I also cherish our fun emails and text messages. You are a delight!
I’m grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I’m so thankful that we can continue to work together!
I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.
To my readers—thank you for choosing my novels. My books are a blessing in my life for many reasons, including the special friendships I’ve formed with my readers. Thank you for your email messages, Facebook notes, and letters.
Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled you’ve chosen this path for me.
Glossary
ach: oh
aenti: aunt
appeditlich: delicious
Ausbund: Amish hymnal
bedauerlich: sad
boppli: baby
bopplin: babies
brot: bread
bruder: brother
bruderskind: niece/nephew
bruderskinner: nieces/nephews
bu: boy
buwe: boys
daadi: granddad
daed: father
danki: thank you
dat: dad
Dietsch: Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish language (a German dialect)
dochder: daughter
dochdern: daughters
Dummle!: Hurry!
Englisher: a non-Amish person
faul: lazy
faulenzer: lazy person
fraa: wife
freind: friend
freinden: friends
froh: happy
gegisch: silly
gern gschehne: you’re welcome
grossdaadi: grandfather
grossdochder: granddaughter
grossdochdern: granddaughters
grossmammi: grandmother
gross-sohn: grandson
Gude mariye: Good morning
gut: good
Gut nacht: Good night
haus: house
Hoi!: Get back here!
Ich liebe dich: I love you
kaffi: coffee
kapp: prayer covering or cap
kichli: cookie
kichlin: cookies
kind: child
kinner: children
krank: sick
kuche: cake
kuchen: cakes
kumm: come
liewe: love, a term of endearment
maed: young women, girls
maedel: young woman
mamm: mom
mammi: grandma
mei: my
Meiding: shunning
mutter: mother
naerfich: nervous
narrisch: crazy
onkel: uncle
Ordnung: the oral tradition of practices required and forbidden in the Amish faith
schee: pretty
schmaert: smart
schtupp: family room
schweschder: sister
schweschdere: sisters
sohn: son
Was iss letz?: What’s wrong?
Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!
willkumm: welcome
wunderbaar: wonderful
ya: yes
zwillingbopplin: twins
About the Author
Dan Davis Photography
Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.
Visit her online at AmyClipston.com
Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks
Twitter: @AmyClipston
Instagram: @amy_clipston
Praise for Amy Clipston
“Fans of Amish fiction will love Amy Clipston’s latest, The Bake Shop. It’s filled with warm and cozy moments as Jeff and Christiana find their way from strangers to friendship to love.”
—Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author of Who I Am with You and Cross My Heart
“Clipston closes out this heartrending series with a thoughtful consideration of how Amish rules can tear families apart, as well as a reminder that God’s path is not always what one might expect. Readers old and new will find the novel’s issues intriguing and its hard-won resolution reassuring.”
—Hope by the Book, BOOKMARKED review, on A Welcome at Our Door
“A sweet romance with an endearing heroine, this is a good wrap up of the series.”
—Parkersburg News & Sentinel on A Welcome at Our Door
“Seasons of an Amish Garden follows the year through short stories as friends create a memorial garden to celebrate a life. Revealing the underbelly of main characters, a trademark talent of Amy Clipston, makes them relatable and endearing. One story slides into the next, woven together effortlessly with the author’s knowledge of the Amish life. Once started, you can’t put this book down.”
—Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of The Devoted
“With endearing characters that readers will want to get a happily ever after, this is a story of romance and family to savor.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel on A Seat by the Hearth
“[A Seat by the Hearth] is a moving portrait of a disgraced woman attempting to reenter her childhood community . . . This will please Clipston’s fans and also win over newcomers to Lancaster County.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This story shares the power of forgiveness and hope and, above all, faith in God’s Word and His promises.”
—Hope by the Book, BOOKMARKED review, on A Seat by the Hearth
“This story of profound loss and deep friendship will leave readers with the certain knowledge that hope exists and love grows through faith in our God of second chances.”
—Kelly Irvin, author of The Beekeeper’s Son and Upon a Spring Breeze, on Room on the Porch Swing
“This heartbreaking series continues to take a fearlessly honest look at grief, as hopelessness threatens to steal what happiness Allen has treasured within his marriage and recent fatherhood. Clipston takes these feelings seriously without sugarcoating any aspect of the mourning process, allowing her characters to make their painful but ultimately joyous journey back to love and faith. Readers who have made this tough and ongoing pilgrimage themselves will appreciate the author’s realistic portrayal of coming to terms with loss in order to continue living with hope and happiness.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on Room on the Porch Swing
“A story of grief as well as new beginnings, this is a lovely Amish tale and the start of a great new series.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel on A Place at Our Table
“Themes of family, forgiveness, love, and strength are woven throughout the story . . . a great choice for all readers of Amish fiction.”
—CBA Market Magazine on A Place at Our Table
“This debut title in a new series offers an emotionally charged and engaging read headed by sympathetically drawn and believable protagonists. The meaty issues of trust and faith make this a solid book group choice.”
—Library Journal on A Place at Our Table
“These sweet, tender novellas from one of the genre’s best make the perfect sampler for new readers curious about Amish romances.”
—Library Journal on Amish Sweethearts
“Clipston is as reliab
le as her character, giving Emily a difficult and intense romance worthy of Emily’s ability to shine the light of Christ into the hearts of those she loves.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on The Cherished Quilt
“Clipston’s heartfelt writing and engaging characters make her a fan favorite. Her latest Amish tale combines a spiritual message of accepting God’s blessings as they are given with a sweet romance.”
—Library Journal on The Cherished Quilt
“Clipston delivers another enchanting series starter with a tasty premise, family secrets, and sweet-as-pie romance, offering assurance that true love can happen more than once and second chances are worth fighting for.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on The Forgotten Recipe
“In the first book in her Amish Heirloom series, Clipston takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through grief, guilt, and anxiety.”
—Booklist on The Forgotten Recipe
“Clipston is well versed in Amish culture and does a good job creating the world of Lancaster County, Penn. . . . Amish fiction fans will enjoy this story—and want a taste of Veronica’s raspberry pie!”
—Publishers Weekly on The Forgotten Recipe
“[Clipston] does an excellent job of wrapping up her story while setting the stage for the sequel.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources on The Forgotten Recipe
“Clipston brings this engaging series to an end with two emotional family reunions, a prodigal son parable, a sweet but hard-won romance, and a happy ending for characters readers have grown to love. Once again, she gives us all we could possibly want from a talented storyteller.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on A Simple Prayer
“. . . will leave readers craving more.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on A Mother’s Secret
“Clipston’s series starter has a compelling drama involving faith, family, and romance . . . [an] absorbing series.”