Annie's Recipe

by Lisa Jones Baker

  Levi grinned and lowered his head in embarrassment. “Come on, Dad. You give me too much credit. If you’d been in my place, you would have done the same thing.”

  “I would hope so, but I’m not sure. Jake is one lucky boy.” He chuckled. “What’s he like?”

  Levi thought for a moment. He realized his dad had never met his youngest nephew. After Levi’s accident, Jake had come to the hospital once, but not at the same time Levi’s parents were there. In fact, this was the first time his dad had brought up anyone in the family since their move. He gave a nudge to his dad’s arm. “Let’s sit down. It’s break time anyway.”

  Side by side, they sat on the truck’s tailgate on the unusually warm fall day. As Levi opened his thermos, he said, “You asked about Jake . . .”

  His dad took a swig of water. “Does he look like his father?”

  Levi grinned. “Kind of. He actually resembles me.”

  His dad slapped a friendly hand on Levi’s thigh and moved closer to him. “No kidding?”

  Levi nodded. “And he follows me around like I’m his big brother. He’s pretty smart for his age, I think.” He paused for a moment to press his palms against his cheeks. A strange sensation swept through him.

  “You okay?”

  He barely heard his father’s question. The particular moment during the fire that he had struggled to recall—the frustrating void in his memory—appeared vividly in his mind as if the incident had happened just the day before. As he envisioned Jake in the path of the flying barn panel, Levi remembered throwing himself in front of the little boy. A shiver swept up his body. He shuddered. Then he smiled with great relief. “Dad, I just remembered rescuing Jake.”

  His dad’s jaw dropped in surprise before giving him a huge pat on the back. “Good, son. Glad to hear it. Your mother and I have worried about your not getting full recall.”

  It took several moments for Levi to find his voice. Finally, he took a deep sigh. “A lot of people watched the barn burn. I was busy trying to put out the flames. There was an explosion. That’s when everyone ran away. I wasn’t far from Jake when a huge piece flew off the building. It was going to hit my cousin. My reaction was automatic. I threw myself in front of him.”

  Levi tried to calm the unusually fast rising and falling of his chest. He felt whole again. He’d finally remembered what had landed him in the hospital. Whew. “Dad, I wish you and the family could be close again. Like old times.”

  He wasn’t sure he’d ever dare to say the words; now, he figured it was as good a time as any.

  Before he could continue, his dad was shaking his head. “Son, don’t even go there. What’s done is done. The Ordnung will never change. Neither will my family.” He threw his hands in the air. “I mean, they can’t. Even if they wanted me to be part of their lives, the church would never allow the kind of closeness you’re asking for. The rules are strict.”

  Levi’s sudden happiness evaporated like steam from a teakettle. He had dared to dream. He’d wanted to end the division between them. Not because of his relatives but because of Annie. For a moment, he’d imagined a world where he and the woman he loved could be on the same team.

  But to Levi’s surprise, his dad added, “What happened was a wake-up call to me. I’d like to be close to my brother and his family. I wish it could happen.”

  An unexpected sense of hope and excitement welled up in Levi’s chest until he thought it might burst. And in the back of his mind were his uncle’s words, spoken at his bedside: We are indebted to you. If you ever need anything . . .

  He’d surely meant what he’d said. As Levi eyed the window, a squirrel caught his attention. Levi swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. With full clarity, he remembered following little Jake outside to feed the animals.

  Jake’s pet. Friend. The recollection was so vivid, it seemed real.

  He wondered why, all of a sudden, he yearned for family unity. Because I’ve reconnected with them and I miss them, especially little Jake. And because I want to be with Annie.

  * * *

  Levi waited for Annie at Pebble Creek. He wrung his hands together as an unusually cold November wind caressed the top of the water, making it appear frost white. Automatically, he pulled the sides of his hat down over his ears.

  But the cold couldn’t stop him from meeting her. He had something to tell her. At their spot. It couldn’t wait.

  “Levi!”

  He responded with a big wave. When he checked his watch, a huge grin pulled the corners of his lips up. She was actually on time.

  She wore a coat over her long dress and smiled as quick steps brought her toward him. He met her halfway.

  “Annie!”

  A laugh that was a combination of nervousness and intense excitement escaped her. “I was so happy when you called. I’m glad you’re back. Even if it’s for a short time,” she added.

  He took her cold hand in his. “I’m here on business.”

  As they neared the creek, he smiled at the surprised expression in her eyes.

  “Are you and your dad building a new house in the area?”

  Finally, they reached their creek-side path. He ignored her question and hugged her. To his dismay, he sounded out of breath. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you.”

  The pitch of her voice softened. “I’ve missed you, too.” She paused. “Whatever you’ve got to tell me must be important.”

  He nodded. “You feel like a walk up the hill?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  In silence, they proceeded to their two flat stones and sat side by side.

  In front of them, Pebble Creek gurgled as ice-cold water cascaded over rocks.

  He faced her and swallowed. His hands shook. Why was he so nervous? He was at his special spot. With his favorite person.

  She looked into his eyes. “I’m so happy you’re back! How long will you be here?”

  He ignored the question and said, “Annie, I have a lot to tell you.” He pushed out a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  She clasped his hands in hers. “Why not at the beginning? Mamma gave me the day off.” She giggled. “I have all sorts of time.”

  He cleared his throat. “I think the fire at my uncle’s barn was a blessing in disguise.”

  Her eyes were confused.

  “It sounds strange, I know, but it’s true. It was a close call. But the recovery time really made me give serious thought to my life and what’s most important to me. Things became clear. And I want to share them with you.”

  She waited for him to continue.

  “Annie, being with little Jake, my family, and old friends made me realize how important this place is to me. When I went home, I struggled to figure out where I belonged. I talked to my folks. But what really helped me to decide was your letter. And the page from your journal.” He paused. “I know the words by heart. When I read it, everything became easy to understand.”

  He noticed she’d become very quiet.

  “You said the most important thing in your life was your faith and that you would give it up to be with me. That Rebecca Conrad said God would always be with you, no matter what church you were in, and that your true love knew Christ as well, but together forever would never happen without one of us giving up something. That you would make the ultimate sacrifice to be with the man you want to be your partner and the father of your children.”

  She didn’t respond. Long moments passed as she looked him in the eye. The dancing flecks there suddenly became still. But they reflected honesty and everything that was almost too good to be true.

  “Levi, every moment I spent with you became more precious. I prayed and prayed to forget you so I could become a good Amish wife and mother.” She drew in a deep breath and moved her hands to her lap. “But the moment I realized I would never have you as my partner was devastating. Because the end of my journey to find love had come. I’d found it but couldn’t have it. When I finally realized we would neve
r be together, I yearned to share my feelings with you so you could keep a part of me in your heart.”

  “I’m glad you wrote that letter.”

  “Maybe it was crazy.” She shrugged. “Perhaps my dream of being with you forever was my imagination at work.”

  “I wanted to reply to your letter. But given the circumstances, I was careful not to get you in trouble. I knew that anything I wrote might be read by someone else. And that your community might not be so understanding of how you felt. So I came in person to tell you.”

  She started to stand, but with a gentle hand, he stopped her. He faced her, sitting close to her, so he could read her reaction of what he was about to say. He could smell cinnamon on her breath.

  “Annie, I’ve learned things I wasn’t aware of when I came to the wedding. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He paused. “And I want little Jake and the rest of my family back.”

  He pressed his lips together thoughtfully. “Nothing’s ever going to be perfect, even if I stay English.”

  Her eyes widened with a newfound excitement.

  “If it’s okay with you, I want us to join the Amish church and get married.”

  “Oh, Levi!” She put her hand over her mouth as if digesting what he’d just told her. Several moments later, the corners of her lips lifted into the biggest smile he’d ever seen. “God has answered all my prayers. I’m so happy . . .” Before she could continue, tears began to slip down her cheeks. “How will it work? I mean, I want our families to be close, too.”

  Automatically, they started to walk. “Like I said, things can’t be perfect, but my uncle committed to something while I was in the hospital. He was indebted to me for saving little Jake and said he would do anything for me.”

  Annie’s jaw dropped.

  “I’ve asked him and my aunt to meet with my folks and at least consider making a way to stay closer.”

  “What did they say?”

  “That they would.”

  She gave a happy sigh.

  “I believe the fire was the answer to my prayers, Annie. I asked God to tell me my purpose. I’m sure He brought me here to save little Jake, but I’m also praying He’ll bring my family closer.” He held up a hand to stop whatever she was about to say. “You’re always reminding me that God works miracles.”

  She looked up to the sky. So did he.

  When their gazes finally locked, Levi was sure of his purpose. It was to be with Annie. The contents of her letter had turned out to be the recipe for true love. And those very words would be forever etched in his heart as Annie’s recipe.

  RECIPE

  DELICIOUS SPONGE CAKES

  1 cup cake flour

  6 medium eggs, separated

  1 cup sugar

  1 tsp. vanilla

  ½ tsp. lemon extract

  ¼ cup cold water

  1 tsp. cream of tartar

  Frosting (optional)

  Set oven to 325 degrees ten minutes before baking. Use a 10-inch tube pan—do not grease. Sift flour, measure, resift 3 times. Put egg whites into a mixing bowl. Put yolks into a separate bowl; gradually beat in half of the sugar (½ cup) with a rotary beater until so thick beater is difficult to turn, at least 5 minutes. With a wooden spoon, beat in flavorings. Now add flour and water alternately in 3 or 4 portions, beating vigorously after each. Now sift cream of tartar over whites and beat with clean rotary beater until stiff enough to form soft, shiny peaks, then add rest of sugar gradually and beat until shiny meringue forms pointed peaks that curve at tips. Use a rubber scraper to quickly fold yolk mixture into the whites lightly but thoroughly. Now flow batter into pan. Bake cake on bottom rack 1 hour or until it springs back when touched lightly with finger. Remove from oven; invert at once over large funnel or bottle if pan does not stand on tube or side supports. When cool, remove from pan like Angel Food. Frosting is optional. (You can also bake it in a circular ungreased cake pan.) Enjoy!

  Keep reading for an excerpt of . . .

  Rebecca’s Bouquet

  The last thing Rebecca Sommer dreamed her plan to marry would bring is a heart-wrenching choice. She thought she and her betrothed, William, would spend the rest of their lives in Illinois’s heartland, raising a family in their close-knit Amish hometown. But when he must travel far out of state to save his ailing father’s business, Rebecca braves her relatives’ disapproval—and her own fears—to work by his side. And though she finds herself ever more in love with the dedicated, resourceful man he proves to be, William’s growing interest in English ways may be the one challenge even her steadfast faith can’t meet . . .

  Click here to get your copy.

  His announcement took her by surprise. Rebecca Sommer met William’s serious gaze and swallowed. The shadow from his hat made his expression impossible to read.

  “You’re really leaving?”

  He fingered the black felt on the brim. “I know what a shock this is. Believe me, I never expected to hear that Dad had a heart attack.”

  “Do they expect a full recovery?”

  William nodded. “But the docs say it will be a while before he works again. Right now, they can’t even guess at a time line. In the meantime, Beth’s struggling to take care of him.”

  While Rebecca considered the news, the warm June breeze rustled the large, ear-shaped leaves on the catalpa tree. The sun peeked from behind a large marshmallow cloud, as if deciding whether or not to appear. In the distance, a sleek black gelding clomped its hooves against the earth.

  Pools of dust stirred, swirling and quickly disappearing. Lambs frolicked across the parcel of pasture separating the Sommer home from Old Sam Beachy’s bright red barn. From where they stood, Rebecca could barely glimpse the orange YIELD sign on the back of the empty buggy parked next to the house.

  “I’m the only person Dad trusts with his business.” William paused and lowered his voice. “Beth wants me to come to Indiana and run his cabinet shop, Rebecca.”

  The news caused a wave of anxiety to roll through Rebecca’s chest. She wrung her hands together in a nervous gesture. A long silence ensued as she thought of William leaving, and her shoulders grew tense. Not even the light, sweet fragrance floating from her mother’s rose garden could take away Rebecca’s anxiety.

  When she finally started to respond, William held up a defensive hand. “It’s just until he’s back on his feet. This may not be such a bad thing. The experience might actually benefit us.”

  Rebecca raised a curious brow. The breeze blew a chestnut-brown hair out of place, and she quickly tucked it back under her kapp. Her gaze drifted from his face to his rolled-up sleeves.

  Tiny freckles decorated his nose, giving him a youthful appearance. But there was nothing boyish about his square jaw or broad shoulders that tried to push their way out of his shirt. Her heart skipped a beat. She lifted her chin, and their eyes locked in understanding.

  William smiled a little. “One of these days, we’ll run our own company.” He winked. “Don’t worry.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. For one blissful, hopeful moment, she trusted everything would be okay. It wasn’t those simple two words that reassured her, but the tender, persuasive way William said them. The low, steady tone in which he spoke could convince Rebecca of almost anything.

  The warm pink glow on his cheeks made Rebecca’s pulse pick up speed. As he looked at her for a reaction, her lips lifted into a wide smile. At the same time, it was impossible to stop the nervous rising and falling of her chest.

  She’d never dreamed of being without William. Even temporarily. At the young age of eighteen, she hadn’t confronted such a difficult issue.

  But her church teachers and parents had raised her to deal with obstacles. Fortunately, they had prepared her to be strong and to pray for guidance. As she stared at her beloved flower garden, her thoughts became more chaotic.

  The clothes on the line rose and fell with the warm summer breeze. Their fresh, soapy scent floated through the air. S
he surely had greater control over her destiny than the wet garments, whose fate was dependent on the wind. She and William could get through this. They loved each other. God would take care of them, wouldn’t He?

  She glanced up at William. The way the sun hit him at an angle made him look even taller than his six feet and two inches. He’d always been bigger and stronger than other kids his age.

  The gray flecks in his deep blue eyes danced to a mysterious tune as he darted her a grin. When she looked into those dark pools, she could drown in happiness. But today, even the warmth emanating from his smile couldn’t stop the concern that edged her voice. “Don’t worry? But I do, William. What about . . .”

  “Us?”

  She nodded.

  He leveled his gaze so that she looked directly at him. “Nothing has changed. We’ll still get married in November after the harvest.”

  Rebecca hesitated. She couldn’t believe William would really leave Arthur, Illinois. But his reason was legitimate. His father needed him. She wasn’t selfish, and asking him to stay would be.

  Circumstances were beyond her control. What could she do? The question nagged at her until frustration set in. Within a matter of minutes, her world had changed, and she fought to adjust. She nervously tapped the toe of her black shoe against the ground.

  As she crossed her arms over her chest, she wished they could protect her from the dilemma she faced. Her brows narrowed into a frown, and a long silence ensued. She looked at him, hoping for an answer. Seeking even a hint of a solution.

  To her surprise, William teased, “Rebecca, stop studying me like I’m a map of the world.”

  His statement broke the tension, and she burst into laughter because a map of the world was such a far stretch from what she’d been thinking.

  “Of course, you’ve got to help your folks, William. I know how much Daniel’s business means to him. You certainly can’t let him lose it. I can imagine the number of cabinets on order.”