by Naomi Miller
“You could be right, Freida.”
“Spooky to think about it, isn't it?”
“You know, it really is.” Katie answered, then she stopped to think about it. It really was sort of weird to think that the town's most notorious busybody had managed to miss out on two of the biggest things to happen in their small town since the Sweet Shop had been broken into last year.
Could it get any weirder?
“Katie, did you talk to Travis? Did you give him all the details?”
“Jah, I did. Don't worry, he'll be there.”
“I wish we could have asked Bella, but—“
“I talked to Bella. She's coming later with Mrs. Mueller. Everything is arranged.”
“I think that covers everything on the list.”
“Jah. It's all done. Are you ready?”
“I'm ready.”
— ELEVEN —
Travis drove slowly along the road, following the directions Katie had given him the day before, trying desperately not to be distracted by the constant stream of questions that came from the passenger seat.
Gwen was reading the directions and navigating. She had been too excited about coming for him to tell her that he didn't think it would be a good idea. And after his behavior over the last week, he was especially surprised that Freida had even included him in the invitation.
Of course, that could be because she knows I'm driving.
“Oh Travis, aren't weddings just the most exciting thing ever!”
Travis tried not to cringe at the sound of his sister's voice. She was still far too young in his opinion to be so excited about weddings and marriage and romance.
Travis slowed his car as they came upon yet another buggy. The closer they got to Freida's house, the more buggies they passed.
But at least there aren't many cars on these back roads so I can go as slow as I need to.
“Hey, this is cool, huh. We can just follow the buggies. I bet they're all going to the wedding.”
Travis looked over at his sister. Why hadn't he thought of that?
“You're absolutely right, Gwen. That will make it a lot easier to find the place.”
With that in mind, he slowed the car and concentrated on following the line of black buggies that was slowly moving along the road in front of them.
After a minute, he managed to match the buggies' speed and noticed that one had taken a place behind him. They had just formed their line around his car.
Amazing people, these Amish.
* * *
Katie watched as Travis followed the long line of buggies that were slowly making their way into Freida's driveway. He stayed right with them, never rushing past or breaking the line, even going so far as to pull into a spot in the yard beside the buggy that had just been in front of him.
She shook her head at the irony of a young man who drove a sports car, following slowly along behind a line of buggies that averaged about ten miles an hour.
How did he even get his car to go that slow?
She walked towards the car, smiling when Gwen opened her door and rushed out, looking around with a brilliant smile. Katie hurried over then, reaching out to take Gwen's outstretched hand.
“Oh Katie, it's just so exciting.”
“It was nice of Freida to invite us.” Travis spoke quietly from beside his schweschder.
Katie managed to stifle the gasp of surprise, but just barely. She had not heard or seen him move.
“Jah, that's our Freida.”
She turned toward the house, Gwen's hand still in her own as they moved forward together as a group. “Just so you know, she intended to ask you all along. This is not just because you came to work at the bakery.” She spoke to Gwen, but it was Travis who answered.
“That's good to know, isn't it Gwen?”
Gwen made no answer. She was too busy taking in everything around her. Thinking back to the first wedding she had attended, Katie felt certain her behavior was perfectly normal.
Even young maedels dream of their wedding day.
As a group, they made their way to the barn, where everyone was gathering. Katie was glad to note that the propane heaters were busily putting out heat.
Freida's mamm had worried they would not be able to compete with the fierce cold that was typical for November, but they were keeping up nicely.
For sure and for certain, all these bodies are helping, too.
It looked as if Freida and Thomas had invited their entire community—and several others as well. And, as Katie looked around behind them at the crowd, she realized that there were other Englischer vehicles pulling into the yard now, too.
There was only one other that she recognized. It was Mr. O'Neal's car.
Of course Freida would invite them. I am so glad they made it back in time.
“I bet Freida's really excited that Mrs. Simpkins. . . oops. . . I mean Mrs. O'Neal made it in time for the wedding.”
Before Katie could respond, Gwen spoke again. “How long do you think it'll take us to get used to that?”
Katie only laughed. Truth be told, she was certain it would take some time for them all. It was such a shock. For six months they had been fighting—and then they just show up married.
“Am I the only one who wants to know more about that?” Travis spoke softly from beside Katie, just as Gwen let go of her hand and rushed over to talk to some young people she must have met at one of the singings she'd attended.
“Nee, you are not the only one.” She assured him.
“The whole thing is just so unexpected.”
“Jah, it is.” She agreed.
“I mean. . . they seemed to be getting along really great. And then they fought all summer. And they both leave town, then they come back together, and they're married? Something doesn't add up, does it? Am I right?”
Surprised at just how precisely Travis had just restated her own feelings, Katie could only nod in return.
“Oh well, we have plenty of time to find out, right?”
“Hmm.” was the only sound that Katie could seem to make.
“They'll have to tell us the whole story sometime.”
“Jah. . . sometime.”
“Right Excuse me, Katie.” And then Travis headed across the room to talk to Jake Yoder—and Katie was left standing there looking after him, wondering what had just happened.
He had voiced—almost word for word—every single one of Katie's thoughts and questions.
Freida was right. It was downright spooky.
Fortunately, someone called out to Katie, and she was forced to turn her attention to other things. She never had the chance to think on it again that day. One person and then another needed her attention—until it was time to stand up by Freida.
Their ceremony was wunderbaar—and Freida had never looked more froh than she did when the Bishop introduced them to the community as husband and wife.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur as seats were shuffled around and tables were brought into the barn to go with the seats and benches.
Only the Englischers in attendance stopped to tell Katie how wunderbaar the cake tasted, but the looks on the faces of all her neighbors said the same thing to her. Katie was very froh she had been able to make Freida's wedding cake. It was one of her gifts to the bride and groom.
It was a gut thing to see so many people enjoying the cake, and all of the other treats they had made for the occasion.
* * *
Finally, the wedding dinner was over. The food had been eaten. The gifts had been opened. Tomorrow Freida and Thomas would celebrate their first Thanksgiving as husband and wife. First, they would join her family for an early turkey dinner together. Later in the afternoon, they would join the Yoder family for a late dinner and fellowship.
On Friday, Freida would join her mamm, along with several family members in cleaning up everything that had been borrowed for the wedding, then it would all be returned to the rightful owners.
* *
*
Katie stood and watched the froh couple, accepting well wishes and congratulations from friends and neighbors. As one of Freida's side sitters, she had been paired at the eck with Timothy, Thomas' twin brother. Now people would be teasing her and making comments about what a wunderbaar couple they would make.
Katie wasn't interested in Timothy; he seemed happy and content to be single, never paying attention to any particular maedel. As for Katie. . . there were one or two buwes she had hoped would notice her—until she had met the Davis family. From the moment she had met Travis, she couldn't seem to keep her mind off him.
Travis had spoken to her at Freida's wedding. He had apologized again for being so abrupt with her. Of course, she had assured him that she had forgiven him and it was best forgotten, but she could tell that he still felt badly about the incident.
Katie was trying to be just freinden with him, but it was difficult when her emotions ran crazy at times. Her parents wanted her to join the church. She wanted to join the church, which meant she had to let go of her feelings for Travis.
Some days it seemed to be working out okay; other times it seemed impossible! Once she arrived at work, she found herself watching the back door, waiting for him to arrive. Then, when he did come by to pick up the morning or afternoon deliveries, she would get all flustered.
How do I deny my feelings? How do I not? I cannot be baptized and date an Englischer. . .
Dear Gott, what do I do? I am so confused. Is it wrong of me to want what my heart wants?
— EPILOGUE —
Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and beautiful. Travis was more than a little surprised when he headed towards the kitchen and saw his mother up and about. . . and cooking, Gwen was by her side, peeling potatoes and chattering away about the wedding she had attended the day before.
He stood in the doorway watching for awhile, thinking about how thankful he was to have his family. How grateful he was that his mother was on the mend. How blessed they all were that Mrs. Simpkins had seen goodness in his brothers, instead of criminal tendencies.
I suppose I should start thinking of her as Mrs. O'Neal now.
He smiled as he recalled Katie and Freida—even Gwen—saying that very thing. Yet it was still hard to believe the surprise she and her new husband had dropped on everyone.
Really. . . there are lots to be thankful for.
With a smile on his face, Travis went into the kitchen to join his family. “Good morning ladies. How can I be of help here?” He asked as he moved into the room and wrapped his mother in a gentle hug.
His mother returned the hug before she laughed and waved him away. “Dear boy, there is nothing for you to do right now. Gwen and I have everything covered.”
“Later, though, you can help us with the turkey. It's really heavy.” Gwen added.
“That's because you're such a little squirt!” Travis teased her.
Gwen swiped at Travis with her spatula as he plucked a piece of cheese off the cutting board on the counter next to her.
“Travis, those are for later.” There was indignation in her voice, but she was smiling.
“Son, there is a breakfast casserole that your friend Katie dropped off yesterday that we can have for breakfast. It's very good.”
A moment later, Gwen added, “Yeah, you'll want to get some of it before the boys are up. It will disappear fast then. You know how delicious everything is that Katie makes.”
Travis did not miss the teasing tone of his sister's voice, even though their mother seemed to be oblivious to it.
So far, this is the only negative part to her new job.
But surely, if Gwen was at the bakery every day, she would see that he and Katie were no more than friends.
If only. . .
That made him think of Katie—and how her feelings seemed to be changing towards him. For awhile, they seemed to be growing closer. Last winter, he drove her to work more often than not.
And helping her decorate the window at Christmas was lots of fun. Then there were the hugs they had shared. He had almost kissed her. He had really wanted to, but he wasn't sure how she would react. He didn't want to spoil things by rushing her.
Lately, she didn't tease him like she used to, even when Freida did. And she was walking to work again. The last time he asked, she had turned him down, saying she needed the exercise.
“Travis, stop daydreaming and come help.” Gwen teased.
Pulling on her braids and tweaking her nose, Travis did what she asked. After the turkey was settled in the oven, he watched his sister in the kitchen with his mom. He was more certain than ever that this new job was exactly what she had needed to get her back on the right path.
She was smiling again. She was happy again. She was talking to him again. She was his baby sister again.
And she's home when she's supposed to be now.
* * *
Katie watched as her bruders argued playfully over the last helping of casserole. They had kumme in from the barn in a wunderbaar gut mood and had immediately attacked her breakfast casserole.
As hungry as they all acted, she was a little surprised there was any left for them to fight over. Several times now, she had been sure the next helping would be the last.
The breakfast casserole reminded her that she had dropped one off with Travis' mamm, who was looking much better. Gwen was going to be a gut helper at work, and she could use the knowledge she learned at work to help out at home, too.
Katie looked around the kitchen at her family and felt a sudden wave of thankfulness wash over her. She was immeasurably blessed to have such a wunderbaar family.
It was a tremendous blessing to have such a gut job at the bakery.
Thinking of the bakery brought her boss to mind.
In all the commotion on Monday, she had never gotten the full story about what had happened to bring about the news that had only been partially shared so far.
There must be an interesting story there. Maybe Travis can ask Sean about it. . . I wonder if he's having a nice Thanksgiving. . .
Rachel's Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh pumpkin
2 cups evaporated milk
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 9” pie shells (unbaked)
Instructions:
1. Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds.
2. Place on cookie sheet (cut side up). Place in oven.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-45 minutes.
4. Peel will separate while cooking (and pumpkin will soften).
5. Throw away peel. Mash pumpkin and then measure out 2 cups.
6. Mix together dry ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
7. Break eggs into small bowl and beat before adding to dry mixture.
8. Stir in fresh pumpkin until well blended.
9. Slowly add evaporated milk (the slower, the better).
10. Pour into thawed pie shells. Don't over-fill.
11. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes (or until center is set).
12. Cool on wire racks (it slices easier if you wait until it's cool).
13. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie.
Rachel's Sweet Potato Pie
Ingredients:
3 cups sweet potatoes
½ cup evaporated milk
1¼ cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup real butter
2 tsp pure vanilla
2 tsp real maple syrup
2 9” pie shells (unbaked)
Instructions:
Peel, slice and boil 3 large or 4 medium sweet potatoes until they are
soft enough to mash.
In medium bowl, scoop 3 cups mashed potatoes (works best if they're
still warm) over butter slices/chunks.
Break eggs into small bowl and beat before adding to sweet
potatoes.
Stir in remaining ingredients one at a time, adding syrup last.
Mix thoroughly after each addition.
Pour mixture into thawed pie shells.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes (or until center is set).
Cool on wire racks (it slices easier if you wait until it's cool to cut).
Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie.
Naomi's Honey Butter
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (softened)
4 tbsp honey
Instructions:
1. Blend thoroughly.
2. Enjoy!
I included this recipe because my family and friends always ask for it.
We enjoy it with biscuits, rolls, cornbread... on toast...
Anything goes!
Naomi's Roasted Turkey
Ingredients:
1 large frozen turkey
1 giant oval rack roaster (I use a disposable one)
1 turkey size oven bag
1 tbsp flour
Instructions:
1. Thaw turkey in refrigerator (1 day for every 4 pounds).
2. When ready to cook turkey, remove neck and giblets.
3. Wash turkey thoroughly in cold water. Pat dry.
4. Shake flour in oven bag to coat.
5. Place turkey in oven bag. Close with nylon tie.
6. Cut several slits in top of bag.
7. Place bag in oval rack roaster. Tuck sides of bag in pan.
8. Bake at 350 degrees F (time will be determined by weight).
Bake a 12# turkey for 2 hours, bake a 20# turkey for 2 ½ hours.
9. When done, cut open bag, remove turkey and broth.
I usually have several cups of broth to use in gravy, soups, etc.
10. Slice and serve.
11. Pan can be re-used several times.