Cookies and Cheer

by Amy Clipston

  She hopped onto one of the stools. “Yes, at work. Jenne Lynn and I got a message from Denise asking for at least one of us to come to the bakery today. It’s been so busy since the article ran in the paper that she needed someone to bake while she, Janie, and Ruby ran the front.”

  “Wow.” He sat down on the other stool and rested his ankle on his opposite knee. “I thought the article was fantastic, but I didn’t realize business would pick up so quickly.”

  “Neither did I. It was a madhouse.” She hugged her arms to her middle. “I just hope we can keep up. Even before all this started Denise told me she can’t afford to hire more help this year. I guess it’s more economical to give extra hours to the employees she already has.”

  He studied her pretty blue eyes, finding what looked like anxiety there. What was troubling her? The extra hours? Or something else? “What do you need to ask me?”

  “Some of the customers have asked if they can buy the kichli cutters. Could you possibly make more? Or are you even interested in selling them? Denise says she’ll want the terms to fairly compensate you for your work and time.”

  “Oh.” He glanced across the shop to the scrap metal pile. He and his dat had quite a stockpile, so he had the supplies. But did he have the time? That was the bigger question.

  “Please, Kyle?” She folded her hands as if to say a prayer. “I know you’re busy, and maybe you don’t need the money, but I think the kichli cutters would be popular with the customers. The more they buy when they show up, the more profitable this crush will be for Denise. It’s a lot to handle, but I’m hoping it will all be worth it.”

  Was that it? She was concerned for Denise? He rubbed at the back of his neck. If he came back out to the shop after supper every night, he could make a few each day. It would make for long days, but it would also help Alyssa, who clearly wanted to help Denise not just as her employee but as her friend. He’d do anything for Alyssa.

  “Ya, I’ll do it.” He smiled at her, and her face brightened with a smile of her own as she clapped her hands. “I’ll get started tonight.”

  “Danki!” She leapt off the stool and hugged him.

  Kyle pulled her close and kissed her cheek. How he’d missed her since Sunday!

  She looked up at him. “Do you still have my drawings of the cutters?”

  He pointed to the workbench in a far corner. “I do. They’re in a drawer with some of my tools.”

  “Perfect.” She stepped back. “Denise will be so froh to hear it.”

  The shop door opened, and Mamm stepped inside.

  “Kyle, are you coming in for sup—” She looked at Alyssa, and her expression brightened. “Alyssa! I didn’t realize you were here. How are you?”

  “I’m well. And you?” Alyssa stood up straighter.

  “I’m great. How long have you been here?” Mamm looked from Alyssa to Kyle and raised her eyebrows.

  Kyle stood. “She just stopped by a few minutes ago—to ask me if I could make more kichli cutters to sell at the bakery.”

  “Ya,” Alyssa chimed in. “The customers are going crazy for the Christmas kichlin, and today a few asked if they could buy the cutters too.”

  “Oh my. I’m certain that’s because of that article in the paper. What wunderbaar coverage you received. You must have been froh to see all those lovely photographs of your gorgeous kichli nativity,” Mamm said.

  “Danki, Marietta. I was excited by the article.”

  “Are you in hurry?” Mamm asked. “Could you stay for supper?”

  “Oh. That’s such a generous invitation.” Alyssa glanced up at Kyle, and he nodded. “I’ll have to call my parents and ask.”

  “You can use the phone over there.” Kyle pointed to Dat’s desk across the shop.

  “Okay. I’ll call and see.” She crossed the shop and picked up the phone and dialed. Soon she was speaking to someone on the other end of the line.

  “What a pleasant surprise.” Mamm grinned at Kyle.

  “Ya.” Kyle was careful to keep his voice low. “Danki for inviting her to supper.”

  Mamm gave his arm a squeeze. “Of course. I’ll always be froh when Alyssa comes to visit.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  After a few moments, Alyssa hung up and returned. “Mei dat said it was fine. Danki for the invitation.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Mamm made a sweeping gesture toward the door. “Let’s get inside the haus before the food’s cold.”

  Kyle took Alyssa’s hand in his as they stepped out into the fading winter light.

  Kyle glanced at Alyssa as he guided his horse to her house later that evening. She cupped her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn.

  “You okay?” He raised an eyebrow in concern yet failed to stop a smile. She was so adorable.

  “Ya. I’m sorry. You caught me.” She gave a little laugh, which sounded like a sweet hymn to his ears. “I’m just wiped out.” She covered her mouth and yawned again. “Between doing the laundry and then baking all day, I wore myself out.” She pulled his quilt around her body.

  “But you got to see me.”

  She touched his arm. “Ya, that’s true. That was the best part of my day. And your mamm makes the best roasted chicken and stuffing. Dinner was appeditlich.”

  “I’m glad you could stay.” He halted the horse at a stop sign. “I wanted to see you before the weekend, and God answered that prayer today.”

  He steered the horse onto her street.

  “You should come to mei haus Tuesday evening,” she said. “Then I can repay you for the wunderbaar supper—even if your mamm is the one who made it!”

  He grinned at her. “You don’t have to repay anyone. But I’d be honored to join you Tuesday.”

  “Gut.”

  He directed the horse to her father’s farm and up the long rock driveway. When they reached the back porch, he halted the horse and turned to her. “Let me walk you to the back door.”

  “That would be nice.”

  He climbed out of the buggy and met her in front of the horse. When he felt something cold and wet on his hand, he looked up and spotted snow flurries dancing down from the heavens.

  He pointed up. “Look, Alyssa. It’s snowing.”

  She gasped as a wide smile overtook her lips. “It is!”

  He laughed. “Isn’t it magical?”

  “Ya.” She laced her fingers in his as they walked up the porch steps.

  “I hope you get some rest tonight.” He traced the tip of his finger down her cheek. “Danki for coming to see me.” Then he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, sending his heartbeat into a gallop.

  “Gut nacht.” Her words came out in a breathy rush, as if she’d run the length of her father’s back pasture. He felt a little breathless too.

  “Gut nacht.” As he walked back to his buggy, he smiled up at the falling snow flurries and imagined a bright and blessed future with his beautiful girlfriend at his side.

  7

  EXHAUSTION BOGGED ALYSSA’S STEPS AS SHE WRENCHED open the back door and entered the mudroom the following Tuesday evening. Her feet felt as if they were on fire as she pulled off her coat and hung it on a peg on the wall. When she heard laughter floating out from the kitchen, she froze. It sounded as if Kyle were with her parents and sister. Why was he here?

  Alyssa swallowed a gasp. It was Tuesday night! She was supposed to come home on time to have supper with Kyle. How could she have forgotten? She cupped her hand to her forehead. Hopefully Kyle would forgive her for forgetting their plans. When he laughed again, her worry morphed into envy. Her boyfriend was enjoying time with her family without her. How had the pull of the bakery gotten so out of hand?

  She took a deep breath and then stepped into the kitchen, where Kyle sat at the table across from Jenne Lynn.

  “Alyssa!” Kyle announced. “You finally made it.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She set her tote bag on the floor and then moved to wash her hands at the sink. “I completely forgot
you were going to meet me here tonight.” A yawn overtook her and she succumbed to it.

  “You’re forgiven,” he said. But he sounded disappointed.

  After drying her hands, Alyssa slipped into the chair beside Kyle. She bowed her head in silent prayer and then filled her plate with chicken and dumplings.

  She turned toward Kyle. He seemed to study her. “How was your day?”

  Alyssa shook her head. “Insane. My head and feet are throbbing.”

  “I was surprised you agreed to stay late tonight,” Jenne Lynn commented.

  “I really didn’t have a choice.” Alyssa shrugged. “Denise needed my help.” She turned to Kyle. “Again, I’m so sorry I forgot you were coming tonight.”

  Kyle nodded, but this time his disappointment seemed almost palpable.

  Guilt weighed heavily on Alyssa’s chest as she turned her attention to her food.

  “You look worn-out, Alyssa,” Dat said. “You need to get your rest.”

  “That’s right,” Mamm added. “It’s not your job to keep the bakery running. Denise needs to hire more help.”

  “I agree,” Kyle said.

  Alyssa covered her mouth to stifle another yawn. “I’ve explained before that hiring a seasonal employee isn’t possible for Denise this year. And we just didn’t expect the display and then the newspaper article to generate so much business. Today one of the customers told us the newspaper article was picked up by a website, which means even more people have heard about our display. I spoke to people who had come from as far as New Jersey and New York to see it and buy the Christmas kichlin. We ran out of the kichlin again today, so I have to go in early tomorrow, and I might have to work late again.”

  Mamm shook her head. “You worked yesterday and today, and now Denise wants you to work tomorrow too? Does she expect you to work six days this week?”

  “She needs the help.” Alyssa took another bite of dumpling.

  “But this is a part-time job,” Mamm said. “Has Denise forgotten that we have chores here?”

  “Christmas is next week,” Alyssa said after swallowing. “It’s almost over.”

  “But that’s the problem.” Mamm’s voice rose as she gestured around the kitchen. “Denise has been a gut freind to this family, but we have a lot to do. We haven’t finished our Christmas cards or our baking. Your schweschder picked up a poinsettia for the schtupp today and she decorated the shelves and banister with greenery. You normally like to do that, but we were running out of time.”

  Alyssa sighed as her aching shoulders hunched. Why did Mamm have to bring up all this in front of Kyle? “I’m sorry.”

  “We haven’t gone shopping yet either,” Jenne Lynn added. “When are we going to do that?”

  Alyssa swallowed and wiped her mouth on a paper napkin. “I don’t know. As I said, I have to go in early tomorrow, and it might take all day to make enough kichlin.”

  Jenne Lynn’s expression clouded with a frown. “But . . . we have so much to do.”

  “I’m sorry. Denise needs me, and I can’t disappoint her.” She moved a dumpling around on her plate. “I had no idea that following through on my ideas would make all this happen.”

  “Neither did we,” Mamm said. “We need you around here. The bakery isn’t your family.”

  Alyssa gritted her teeth and did her best to tamp down her swelling frustration. “I know, Mamm. This wasn’t what I had in mind.” She took a deep breath and searched her mind for a solution that would please her mother. “I can work on the Christmas cards later tonight.”

  “No. If you’re going in to the bakery early tomorrow, you need to get to bed early tonight.” Mamm pointed at the clock on the wall.

  “I want to help, Mamm. I really do.” Alyssa worked to keep her voice even despite the guilt churning in her stomach.

  Mamm’s expression softened. “I know. I’m frustrated with the situation, not with you.” She looked at Kyle. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up this family business during supper.”

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Kyle’s expression was warm as he turned to Alyssa. “I’m concerned about you too. You do look exhausted. I promise I won’t stay too late.”

  The knot in the pit of Alyssa’s stomach tightened as she took in his handsome face. Was she going to lose him? How could she have forgotten that they had supper plans?

  When they finished eating, Alyssa helped her mother and sister remove the dishes before they had coffee and some of the lemon cake her mother had baked. After dessert, the women cleaned the kitchen, and then her parents and sister disappeared into the family room.

  Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief after her family left. She could finally talk to Kyle alone and apologize again for her oversight.

  She sat down beside him. “I’m so sorry for forgetting our plans for tonight. I never meant to take you for granted.”

  Kyle rubbed his chin and studied her. “I’m worried about you working so many hours.”

  “It’s temporary.” She touched his arm. “The Christmas rush is almost over.”

  He shook his head. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She snapped her fingers. “I know what I meant to tell you. We ran out of kichli cutters today, and Denise asked me to see if you can make more.”

  Kyle made a noise in his throat as his mouth formed a grimace. “I don’t think so, Alyssa.”

  “I have your money from the other kichli cutters.” She retrieved her change purse from her apron pocket and pulled out a pile of bills. “Here. This is your part of the profit from the ones you gave us last week.”

  “Danki.” He took the money and slipped it into his pocket. “I’m sorry, but I can’t make any more. I have to keep up with my work and chores.”

  “You can’t make them after you finish your chores for the day?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Christmas is next week, and I need to be with my family to help follow through on our traditions. Dat even turned down a last-minute order to ensure we’re both available to Mamm and the rest of our family. I just don’t have time for more work.” He paused. “And I want to have time for you too.”

  Alyssa nodded as her hope sank—and as she realized her guilt was now a three-pronged monster. She’d made Denise’s business nearly impossible to manage, she’d let down her family, and now she’d let down Kyle, who was willing to make time for her even as she let the bakery overshadow opportunities to spend time with him.

  But again, helping Denise was only temporary. She’d make this up to her family and Kyle somehow—after the crisis she’d created was over.

  She fingered the blue tablecloth. “I understand.”

  “I promise I’ll make more cutters for next year.” He touched her arm. “When can we go out again? I’ve been thinking about that ham loaf you liked so much at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant.”

  “Can we wait until after Christmas? I’m sure I’ll be working long hours until then.” She looked away, unwilling to see more disappointment in his eyes.

  When he didn’t answer right way, she picked up her tote bag, pulled out a bag of cookies, and handed it to him. “I brought home peanut butter kichlin. Would you like one?”

  “Ya, that would be great. Danki.” He opened the bag and handed her one. “Have one with me.”

  She stifled another yawn before biting into the cookie.

  “You look pale.” He touched her face. “I think you should stay home tomorrow. Get some rest.”

  She sighed. “I can’t. Denise needs me.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you to get so worn-out that you wind up krank for Christmas. That would be awful.”

  She set her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her palm. “I created this mess, so I need to help Denise through it. I can’t abandon her now.”

  His expression grew intense. “This is not your fault. At least promise me you’ll get some rest tonight.”

  “I will.” She nodded, and the co
ncern in his brown eyes sent affection flowing through her. Her efforts might not have his full support, but he still cared about her.

  “I should go.” He pushed back his chair.

  “You don’t have to leave.” She pulled his arm toward her.

  “Ya, I do. You need rest.” Kyle leaned forward on the table. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too. I promise we’ll see each other after this crazy Christmas rush is over.”

  “I’ll keep you to that promise.” They both stood, and when he kissed her, happiness buzzed through her.

  “Please tell your parents and Jenne Lynn goodbye for me,” he said.

  As Alyssa walked Kyle to the back door, she asked God to protect their relationship through this challenging time. She needed him.

  Kyle’s eyes widened as he entered Ronks Bakery Thursday afternoon and took in the crowd of people clogging the shop and rummaging through the shelves. Alyssa hadn’t exaggerated when she said the bakery was busy. It resembled a grocery store on the weekend, not a bakery!

  He searched the crowd for Alyssa, but he didn’t find her. When he peered up toward the counter, he spotted Jenne Lynn and a young woman he didn’t recognize checking out the customers. The line snaked from the back of the bakery to nearly the front door.

  He made his way through the throng, excusing himself when customers stepped in front of him or failed to step aside.

  When he reached the counter, Kyle waited for Jenne Lynn to notice him.

  “Kyle,” Jenne Lynn said after a minute or so. “Wie geht’s?”

  “Hi. Is Alyssa here?”

  “Ya. She’s in the back baking.” Jenne Lynn stepped over to the door leading to the kitchen. “Alyssa! Kyle is here!” Then she stepped back to the counter. “She’ll be right out,” she told him before turning back to serve the next customer.

  Kyle made his way to the doorway in the back just as Alyssa appeared. He grinned as he took in her appearance. Flour peppered her black apron, and a dot had landed on her cheek. He reached over and brushed it away with his fingertip.

  “You’ve been busy,” he said.