Cookies and Cheer

by Amy Clipston

  A tall woman dressed in jeans, boots, and a black coat approached with a camera hanging around her neck. “Hi there. Are you Alyssa Byler?”

  “Yes, I am. How may I help you?”

  “I’m Jordyn Marshall. I’m a reporter with the Lancaster News.” Jordyn shook Alyssa’s hand. “We received your letter earlier today, and I’m here to see your display window.”

  Alyssa’s stomach tumbled. “Oh my goodness. I’m so glad you came.” She pointed toward the back room. “Let me introduce you to the bakery owner. Excuse me for a moment.” She rushed into the kitchen, where Denise was filling more sampler boxes. “Denise! You have to come out front.”

  “What is it?” Sudden worry etched Denise’s face. “Is everything all right?”

  Alyssa grabbed Denise’s hand and gave it a tug. “Ya, it is. A reporter is here from the Lancaster News. They received my letter.”

  “Fantastic! You mailed it only two days ago.” Denise wiped her hands on a paper towel and smoothed out her apron.

  “I know. Please come and meet her.” Alyssa beckoned for Denise to follow her out to the front, where Jordyn stood perusing a shelf of baked breads as Jenne Lynn reviewed the various flavors for her.

  “Jordyn,” Alyssa said, “this is Denise Sherwood. She’s owned the bakery for almost thirty years.”

  “Hi, Denise.” Jordyn shook her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I was intrigued by Alyssa’s letter, and I hurried over to see your display window. It’s spectacular.” She pulled a notepad from her pocket. “I have some questions for you. Tell me how you came up with the idea and how it all came together.”

  “Well, it was all Alyssa’s idea, so I’ll let her explain.” Denise smiled at Alyssa.

  Alyssa shared her story, and Jordyn asked more questions and took notes. When a group of customers came into the bakery, Denise and Jenne Lynn excused themselves to help them.

  “I just love how you laid out the nativity scene,” Jordyn said as she and Alyssa walked over to the window. “It’s so creative. And your boyfriend made the cookie cutters!”

  Alyssa smiled to herself. She was still getting used to calling Kyle her boyfriend. “That’s right. I drew the shapes I needed and gave him the dimensions, and then he made the cutters in his father’s metalworking shop.”

  “I see.” Jordyn scribbled on her notepad. “Did you build the stable?”

  “My father built it for me out of some spare wood he had on our farm.”

  “Tell me more about the bakery. What baked goods do you sell here besides the sugar cookies and breads?”

  Alyssa gave Jordyn a tour of the store, explaining what they offered, including locally made peanut butter, jelly, and jams.

  Jordyn made more notes and then smiled at Alyssa. “This will be a great holiday story. I think I have everything I need. I’m just going to take some photos from the outside.”

  “Great.” Alyssa clasped her hands together. “When do you think the story will run in the paper?”

  “I’m hoping for Monday.”

  Alyssa’s heart thudded. “Monday? That soon?”

  “Yeah.” Jordyn pushed back a tendril of her dark hair that had fallen into her face. “We’re trying to feature a few holiday stories every week now since Christmas is only two and a half weeks away.”

  “That’s wonderful. Thank you for coming to visit us.” Alyssa shook Jordyn’s hand again.

  “You’re welcome. Thank you for the letter.” Jordyn waved goodbye to Denise and Jenne Lynn, and then she pushed open the door. “Take care. And do have a merry Christmas.”

  Alyssa watched Jordyn take several photos of the display window from different angles. She tried to imagine what the newspaper article might look like with the photos featured on the page.

  “Alyssa,” Denise called from the back of the store.

  “Ya?” Alyssa spun to face her.

  “We’re running low on chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. Would you please make some more?”

  “Of course.” As Alyssa headed toward the kitchen, she imagined what the newspaper story could mean for the bakery. They might be busier than ever, but she was sure the extra work would be worth it.

  “The reporter received your letter yesterday and came right over?” Kyle asked as he and Alyssa sat at her kitchen table the following afternoon.

  “Ya, can you believe it?” Alyssa brought a plate of oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies to the table. She was glad Kyle had decided to spend this off Sunday without a church service visiting her and her family. “I was so surprised when she walked in and introduced herself. I never expected someone to respond so quickly.”

  “I guess she knew it would be a fascinating story.” Kyle winked at her, and her cheeks heated.

  “Ya, I suppose so.” She carried the coffee carafe to the table and filled his mug before filling hers. “She was really nice. She wanted to hear all about how I got the idea for the display, and I told her how you made the kichli cutters and mei dat built the stable.” She set the carafe on the counter and then sat down across from him. “I even mentioned your dat’s business. Maybe she’ll put its name in the article too.”

  Kyle reached across the table and set his hands on hers. “Danki for mentioning me and mei dat’s business, but the cutters were all your idea. You deserve the credit.”

  “I didn’t do it alone.” When he gave her hands a gentle squeeze, she relished the contact. “Without you and mei dat, the display wouldn’t have come together.”

  He lifted his coffee mug. “I’m just glad it did. Now we’ll have to see what kind of response the article brings.”

  “Ya, I know. The reporter said it might be in the paper tomorrow. She took so many photos. I keep trying to imagine what the article will look like.”

  “I can’t wait to see it. I’ll have to make sure I pick up a paper when I go out for supplies tomorrow.”

  “Ya, I’ll ask mei dat to get a copy too.”

  Kyle handed her a peanut butter cookie. “By the way, would you please make more of these for me?”

  “Who said I made them for you this time?” Alyssa said, teasing.

  “Oh, you got me right in the heart.” His smile crumbled as he grabbed at his chest. “It hurts.”

  Alyssa laughed as she popped up from the table. “I have a whole container you can take home, but you have to promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That I’ll see you again this week.”

  “Are you kidding? Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from you.”

  As Alyssa handed him the container of peanut butter cookies, she thanked God for the cookies and cheer she had to look forward to this Christmas season.

  6

  ON WEDNESDAY MORNING ALYSSA SHIVERED AS SHE stood on the back porch and pinned a pair of her father’s trousers on the clothesline. She picked up another pair and then looked toward the barn just as Jenne Lynn stepped out its door and started toward her.

  “Any voice mail messages?” Alyssa asked as she hung the trousers and then moved the line down.

  Jenne Lynn climbed the porch steps. “Ya. Denise left a message asking if one or both of us could come to the bakery as soon as possible.”

  “She wants us to work today?” Alyssa studied her sister. “But it’s Wednesday. We don’t work until tomorrow.”

  “She said she can’t keep up with the demand for the Christmas kichlin. The bakery has been busy nonstop since the article ran in the paper on Monday. She even had a line of customers waiting for her to open this morning.” Jenne Lynn shook her head. “She needs someone to continue baking while she, Janie, and Ruby keep up with the crowds in the store. She said it would be a blessing if one or both of us could come and help out.”

  Guilt pummeled Alyssa. Had the article been a bad idea after all? “Did Denise sound upset?”

  Jenne Lynn frowned. “She sounded desperate.”

  “But we have chores to do today.” Alyssa pointed at the large ba
sket of laundry she had to finish hanging before she started cleaning their two bathrooms.

  “I know, but it sounds like Denise truly needs our help.” Jenne Lynn gave her a palms up. “Maybe Mamm would understand?”

  “What would I understand?” Mamm appeared from inside the house.

  “We received a message from Denise asking if one or both of us can go in to help her today,” Alyssa said.

  “Is someone krank?”

  “No.”

  “Then why would Denise need your help? She has two other workers on Wednesdays.” Mamm divided a confused look between Alyssa and her sister.

  “She said the bakery has been busy nonstop since the article ran in the paper on Monday.” Jenne Lynn turned toward Mamm. “She needs someone to bake Christmas kichlin while the rest of them help the constant rush of customers.”

  “I should go since the article was my idea,” Alyssa said.

  “I don’t think so,” Mamm said. “If Denise has more business, she should hire more help.”

  “She said she can’t afford that this year, Mamm.”

  “But you have chores to do today.” Mamm gestured around the porch. “You were going to clean the bathrooms while Jenne Lynn cleaned the upstairs.”

  “I can clean the bathrooms for you,” Jenne Lynn said.

  “Danki.” Alyssa smiled at her sister. As much as Jenne Lynn frustrated her with her teasing at times, she appreciated her kind and giving heart.

  Mamm frowned. “We also planned to start making our Christmas cards this afternoon, after our chores are done. That’s why I had you pick up the supplies at the craft store yesterday, Alyssa.”

  Alyssa felt as though her stomach was tying itself into a tight knot. How could she help Denise and her family at the same time? She couldn’t stand the idea of disappointing anyone.

  “We still have time to make the cards,” Jenne Lynn said as she looked at their mother. “You and I can start making them, Mamm, and then Alyssa can help us finish them and sign and address them.” She cut her gaze to Alyssa. “Right?”

  “Ya, that’s right.” Alyssa gnawed her lower lip as she considered a solution. “I could finish hanging out the laundry and then get Dat’s driver to take me to the bakery. I’ll work only as long as Denise needs me, and then I’ll come home and help with whatever still needs to be done. Would that work? I hate to see Denise struggling.”

  Mamm blew out a puff of air and then nodded. “Ya. You’re right. We should help Denise. She’s been a gut freind as well as a gut employer.” She gestured toward the basket of laundry. “Finish up here. I’ll let your dat know you need a ride to the bakery, and he can make the call.”

  “Danki, Mamm,” Alyssa said as she pinned another pair of trousers to the line.

  “I’ll help you.” Jenne Lynn picked up one of Dat’s shirts and handed it to Alyssa.

  “Danki.”

  “Did you expect the article to make such an impact—and so quickly?”

  Alyssa shook her head. “No. It was a nice article, and the photos were really gut, but I didn’t think it would cause a problem for Denise. I truly thought we could keep up. I feel so guilty about this.”

  “Don’t be gegisch.” Jenne Lynn elbowed Alyssa in her arm as she gave her another one of Dat’s shirts. “More customers are gut for Denise’s business.”

  But was the stress worth it?

  Thirty minutes later Alyssa stepped through the front door of the bakery and sucked in a deep breath. The store was full of women—and a few men—filling their plastic shopping baskets with baked goods. One group congregated by the window, pointing at the nativity scene. Ruby stood by the display of jarred peanut butter and jellies, explaining the ingredients and differences in the local brands.

  Alyssa excused herself as she wove through the crush of people and made her way to the counter, where Denise and Janie were checking out customers. A lengthy line of them were waiting to pay for their purchases.

  Denise looked up, and her expression brightened. “Alyssa! You made it! I’m so grateful you could come in on one of your days off. It’s been like this since Monday afternoon.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “Would you please start making more Christmas cookies? We’re nearly out, and we need them desperately.”

  “Ya, of course. I’ll get right to work.” Alyssa slipped past a few more customers and entered the kitchen, where she quickly hung up her coat before washing her hands. She gathered the ingredients she needed, and then set out mixing dough and cutting out cookie shapes. While the cookies baked, she assembled boxes.

  “I’m so glad you came in today,” Ruby told her as she walked into the kitchen later that afternoon. Alyssa liked Ruby. She was about Jenne Lynn’s age, and just as nice. “We weren’t sure what we were going to do for a while. It was just too crazy.”

  “I’m glad Denise called.” Alyssa smiled up at Ruby as she closed the lid on another box of Christmas cookies.

  Ruby washed her hands and started assembling boxes too. “One of the customers asked if she could buy a set of your kichli cutters.”

  Alyssa spun toward her. “What? Really?”

  Ruby nodded. “Ya. When she asked, three more customers chimed in and said they’d like a set too. Do you think you could get Kyle to make some to sell?”

  “I don’t know.” Alyssa paused, her hand on one of the Scripture verse tags. “He’s awfully busy, but I could ask him. And I’ll have to talk to Denise about how she’d like to handle the sales.”

  “Denise seemed to like the idea. She told the customers she’d see if she could get some.”

  “I’ll talk to Kyle tonight and ask him if he even has time to make more.”

  “Great.” Ruby taped a verse to the last box she’d assembled and then stacked several of the finished boxes one on top of the other before lifting them into her arms. “I’ll get these out on the shelves. We’ve been selling them as quickly as we stock them. You really had a wunderbaar idea for this year’s Christmas window display.”

  “Danki.”

  At closing time Alyssa felt more guilt slithering through her. She’d told her family she’d be home as soon as possible, but it was already five o’clock, and she’d just now cleaned the kitchen. She’d let them down, but she’d been trying to help Denise. She felt so torn!

  “Thank you for your help today.” Denise sidled up to her at the sink as Alyssa washed her hands. “I don’t know how we could have kept the customers happy without your extra help back here.”

  Alyssa frowned. “I’m sorry it’s so busy.”

  “Why are you apologizing?” Denise gently squeezed Alyssa’s shoulder. “I love seeing so many satisfied customers in the store. We’ll get through it. Christmas will be here soon, and then business will go back to normal—although I think we might have gained some new regular customers. That makes me happy too!”

  Alyssa forced a smile. “Right. Denise, Ruby told me a few customers asked if they could buy a set of the cookie cutters.”

  Denise snapped her fingers. “I meant to ask you about that. Do you think Kyle would make some sets for us to sell? Would he be interested?” She pointed toward the front of the store. “Or we could sell them individually. I could separate them in bins, or I could just put them all in one big basket.”

  Alyssa shrugged as she dried her hands. “I don’t know. I’ll have to see if he even has time to make them.”

  “Let me know what he says, and then we can discuss terms. Whatever he’d like to charge is fine with me. I’ll want the money he makes to be worth his time. I’ll appreciate his considering this.” Denise started back to the main area of the store. “I need to see what I’ll have to bake tonight so we can restock tomorrow. I don’t think my shelves have ever been this empty. And I’ll have to buy more supplies . . .”

  She halted and turned back to Alyssa, and Alyssa couldn’t help but see the weariness in her employer’s eyes along with her delight. “Do you think you and Jenne Lynn could come in early tomorrow?”
/>
  “We can try. We’ll just need to get our mother’s permission.”

  “Of course. Either way, please thank her for me.”

  Denise left the room.

  Alyssa thought about when to ask Kyle if he’d make the cookie cutters, and then she stepped to the phone to call her father’s driver.

  She hoped that when she got home her mother would understand why she was so late—and that she needed to be back at work early tomorrow. She couldn’t ignore Denise’s predicament when she’d been the one to cause it. And after all, working extra hours was temporary.

  If only she could shake the guilt that had taken hold of her . . .

  Kyle stepped out of his father’s workshop when he heard the hum of an engine. It was suppertime, and the sign out at the street clearly stated that they closed at five. Who could this be?

  When he spotted Alyssa climbing out of a blue van, his heartbeat ticked up a few notches. She’d been at the back of his thoughts throughout his exhausting day, and her beautiful smile was the balm his tired soul needed. He quickened his steps and rushed over to meet her.

  “Alyssa!” He pulled her to him for a quick hug. “What a wunderbaar surprise! How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Do you have a minute to talk?”

  “Ya, I do.” He nodded toward the van. “May I give you a ride home?”

  “That would be great.” She pulled out her change purse. “I’ll pay him.” She walked over to the driver’s side and thanked him before handing him some bills. Then she joined Kyle at the top of the driveway. “I’m sorry to just show up without calling first.”

  He took her hand in his. “Are you kidding? This is the best kind of surprise.” He gestured toward the shop. “Let’s go inside, where it’s warm.”

  “Okay. I need to ask you something.”

  They walked together into the workshop, where he flipped on the propane lights and then pulled up two stools.

  “What’s going on?” he asked as he gestured for her to sit down. “Where have you been today? Not at work, right?”