The Sisters of Sugarcreek

by Cathy Liggett

  “And we didn’t know which was which,” Liz added.

  “Ah, I see. And a knock on the front door wouldn’t have alleviated that situation?” Derek said practically, raising a brow.

  “Did I mention the gift was supposed to be a surprise?” Jessica said.

  “Oh, well.” Derek scratched his chin. “I’d say there was definitely an element of surprise involved in all of this. Problem is, Mrs. Winkleman and her family were more than surprised. They were frightened to death.”

  Lydia scooted to the left side of the car and pushed the window button too, poking out her head. “It’s all my fault, Deputy Derek, and I’m verra sorry. I’m the one who was doing the peeping.”

  “Look, ladies.” He glanced back and forth among the three of them. “I’m sure whatever you were up to is all innocent. But I hope none of you will let this happen again. No more peeping into windows, mostly for your own sakes. You could get yourselves shot, you know.”

  “Yes, Deputy,” they all murmured in concession.

  With that, he opened the back car door. “Why don’t you go drop off your package to your friend, Lydia? In the meantime I’ll explain things to your friend’s neighbors and get them calmed down.”

  At his prompting, Lydia obediently exited the car with the basket. Closing the door behind her, Derek bent down and peered into Jessica’s window once again. “Jess, you and Liz can get going and be on your way back to town. I’ll get Lydia home.”

  “Derek, you don’t have to do that. I can take Lydia.”

  “I’m sure you can,” he told her. “But then, no one has to worry.”

  “You mean then you don’t have to?”

  An easy smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Well, yeah. Something like that,” he said, tapping the top of her car, signaling for her to be on her way.

  Lydia was happily relieved to find out that Rebecca was doing just fine and had a positive prognosis when she checked in on her—at the correct white house this time, the one on the right—and dropped off the not-so-secret stitches basket.

  She was afraid that Derek might grow impatient, being that Rebecca was her usual chatty self. However he didn’t seem to be the least bit bothered when she finally broke away from her friend and joined him in his sheriff’s car, taking a seat in the back.

  She had seen Derek plenty of times when he dropped in at the Cottage to visit with Jessica. But she hadn’t talked to him all that much. Getting to know him better during the ride to her house, she could understand why he and Jessica got along so well. They both seemed to have much the same outlook on things and were both easygoing.

  In fact, he put her much at ease and had her laughing most of the time as he cruised over the roads leading to her home. It wasn’t until they reached her house and he pulled into her driveway that she grew quieter.

  “Oh, wouldn’t you know it?” She worried her lip, glancing next door.

  “Something wrong?” He looked into the rearview mirror.

  “Uh, nee. It’s just that Jeb would have to be outside doing his business about now, wouldn’t he?”

  “I’m hoping you’re talking about a dog, right?”

  “My neighbor’s.” She peered out the window, trying to get a better look. “Oh, and there he is too.”

  “Your neighbor?”

  “Jah. He’s right out there keeping a watch on Jeb.”

  A while earlier, when Derek had caught up with them on Elmhurst Road, she knew Jessica had been quite embarrassed that Derek had been the one to find them in their predicament. Now Lydia was feeling much the same way as she eyed Jonas. “I wonder if he’s ever seen one of his neighbors brought home in a police car before.”

  Derek chuckled. “Uh, probably not one of his Amish neighbors, I’d venture to say.”

  “Jah. Don’t be surprised if he comes over to see if I’m all right.”

  “He’s a nosy neighbor, huh?”

  “Jah. But in a gut way. A caring way,” she said, knowing it to be true.

  “That’s sounds like a good thing then, especially since you’re out here on your own.”

  “It is,” she agreed.

  But even so, as she watched Jonas and Jeb head toward the path through the shrubs, she knew she was going to feel a wee bit flustered seeing him. And explaining, of course, all about her ride home in a sheriff’s car.

  LIZ WAS RUNNING A FEW minutes late getting to town, but it was more Daisy’s fault than her own. She’d had her coat on and her car keys in hand, ready to leave the house, but Daisy had been too caught up in sniffing around the wire-framed reindeer on the lawn to come in when she called. Finally Liz had had to lure her inside with a treat, which took longer than she anticipated.

  Walking as swiftly as her legs would carry her past the storefronts on Main Street, which looked much like a Swiss Christmas village these days, she hoped Belinda would be running late for their morning meet-up too.

  It had been a complete surprise—and somewhat of a letdown—when a text lit up her phone late the night before. After getting home from last evening’s Secret Stitches adventure, she’d quickly gotten into her pajamas and snuggled into bed to read. Her heart beat harder in her chest when she spied the light coming from her cell, thinking she might see Daniel’s name on the screen.

  She missed talking to him so much she would’ve been glad for him to be calling, even if it was just to say hello. Or even to prod her for an answer. But disappointingly, the text wasn’t from him at all. It was from Belinda, giving details about her church as she’d promised and also asking if Liz could meet for breakfast.

  As Liz ducked into the Pancake House, she spotted Belinda sitting by a window trimmed with holiday greenery. Liz waved and, walking toward the table, mentally prepared herself. No doubt Belinda had asked her to meet because she needed to talk to someone about her husband and his illness. Someone who’d experienced the same sort of heartache and trauma.

  “Sorry I’m late, Belinda. That dog of mine . . .” Liz shook her head.

  “I’m glad you could come on such short notice.” Though Belinda smiled sweetly, her face appeared tense. “But I don’t have much time. I apologize if this seems rude, but would you mind if we just order bagels or something quick?”

  Liz was somewhat taken aback by Belinda asking her to breakfast then wanting to rush through it. On the other hand, she readily understood the demands of being a caretaker to a sick spouse and a working woman too. “Whatever you need to do, Belinda. I’m fine with it.”

  After they’d ordered hot tea, orange juice, and blueberry bagels with cream cheese, Belinda looked across the table at her, and Liz readied herself for her friend’s questions. But instead, Belinda surprised her again. Leaning forward, she said, “You’re right, Liz.”

  “I am?” Liz asked, and felt her forehead slip into a crease.

  “Uh-huh.” Her friend’s eyes lit up. “I put two and two together and realized it was you. I tried what you said, and you were dead-on.”

  Liz blinked at her friend, bewildered. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Belinda.”

  “Less cinnamon in the sweet potato casserole, and a tad more garlic to season the pork loin.”

  “I’m sorry? Say again?”

  Belinda was staring at her like she’d just uttered the most interesting thing in the world, but Liz was completely at sea.

  “I’m sorry, Liz, I’m so excited that I’m getting ahead of myself,” Belinda started to gush. “Shortly after John and I moved to Millersburg, we took over a restaurant there.”

  “Oh, my goodness!” Liz instantly pulled the pieces together. “Annabelle’s? You and John own Annabelle’s? It’s such a great place, Belinda, and I can’t believe I critiqued your cooking! I apologize. It was such a small nuance sort of thing, a personal taste. Why, the dinner was superb just the way it was.”

  “And now those dishes will be even better because of your input, Liz,” Belinda said as the waiter placed their bagels on the tab
le. She waited until he was gone before she spoke again. “But even more than that, your honest appraisal reminded me of your great cooking instincts—which has led to much discussion between John and me since I saw you last. And, well, we’ve decided we would like to have your future input as well, Liz.”

  Liz took a bite of bagel, eyeing her friend quizzically. “I’m not sure I understand.” She picked up her napkin, swiping cream cheese from her lips. “You want me to be what? Like a food critic for your restaurant?”

  “More than that.” Belinda paused, then spoke slowly and distinctly. “Liz, what we’d like—what I’m asking you—is if you’d like to become a part of Annabelle’s? A rather big part.”

  Liz’s mouth gaped open. A part of a restaurant? A restaurant as wonderful as Annabelle’s?

  All along, people might have said that cooking and food preparation was her calling, but Liz never realized how much she wanted it to be true until Belinda said those words. Of course, she didn’t yet know what Belinda had in mind exactly. Overwhelmed by emotion and caught by surprise, she tried to rein in her thoughts and listen.

  “Now, I know that’s a lot to take in. I know you already have a life you’re used to, Liz,” her friend continued, “and that you’ve been selling real estate for years. But John and I feel it’s no accident that you and I crossed paths again. We believe God was looking out for us, bringing you into our lives right now. Obviously, we don’t know what the future holds, but right now it seems John isn’t going to be able to be a huge help in the business much longer.” She grimaced with a sigh.

  “Anyway, all that being said—” Belinda straightened her shoulders—“we’ve invested a lot into the restaurant, and from the beginning we had a dream to make it even more than what it already is. John had started to establish a catering side to our business that would service all the areas that surround Sugarcreek. But now with his health being what it is, we need someone to partner with us, someone to work alongside us. You and I were a formidable duo when we worked together before. It’s so obvious that we would make a strong team once again.”

  “Belinda, I—” Her voice croaked and faltered, wanting so badly to say yes in a heartbeat. But the sad reality was, her savings were almost nil. She didn’t have money to help start another leg of their business. Why, lately she was lucky to be filling her own refrigerator with food.

  “You can’t imagine what a gift you’ve given me,” she said slowly, weighing each word. “Just by you offering this opportunity, believing in me so much . . . I really needed to hear this right now, trust me. But . . .” She closed her eyes, blinking back unshed tears, hating to say the words. “I don’t have the funds to become a partner. As much as it hurts to say it, I simply don’t.”

  Belinda shook her head. “I guess I made myself clear as mud, didn’t I? When I said the word partner, what I really meant is that we’d like you to be a part of our dream.” Belinda picked up her coffee cup but then set it back down without taking a sip.

  “Maybe I should put it this way,” she said. “We have really great cooks at Annabelle’s, Liz. Cooks. Waitresses. Bussers. But with John’s shaky health situation, we need a special person we can trust with this new venture. Someone who not only has a love for cooking but who really cares. A person who works hard and who’s spunky and won’t give up. Someone who has sales experience and food preparation experience too. Working alongside you in the past at church, I know you have all of those qualities. That’s why John and I would like that someone to be you.” She’d barely ended her sentence when she glanced down at her watch and half-eaten bagel.

  “I’m sorry. I know it’s crazy, but I have to run. I’ve got to get back to Millersburg. John has a doctor’s appointment.” She started to gather up her purse and coat. “I know I’ve said a lot, and I don’t expect an answer until you’ve had a chance to think.”

  Looping a scarf around her neck, she continued, “My sister is staying in town through the holidays to help us. That is, if we don’t strangle each other before that.” She laughed. “My sister hates to cook—actually she hates to clean and do laundry too.” She rolled her eyes. “But still, it was good of her to come.”

  “Is there anything I can—” Liz started with an offer to help, but Belinda held up her hand.

  “What I’d really like for you to do is consider everything I’ve said, Liz. John and I were hoping you could start in January. Of course, like any other position we fill at Annabelle’s, we’d be hiring you on a trial basis.”

  “I understand.” Liz nodded. “That only makes good business sense.”

  “But in order to make you feel more secure about this venture—and to lure you away from your real estate profession, we’re prepared to offer you a salary along with bonuses as the catering business grows. And if it does grow the way we hope it will, well then, perhaps we could take you on as a partner.”

  Liz’s head jerked back in shock at everything her friend was saying.

  “I’ll give you a call in a couple of days for your answer, and to discuss specifics if you’re interested.” Belinda laid money on the table for the check. “Again, I hate to rush off, but I have to go. Thanks for meeting me, Liz.”

  “Are you kidding? Thank you, Belinda,” she said, still reeling in disbelief at the conversation. “And thank John, too, will you?”

  Belinda nodded and then was gone, leaving Liz sitting in front of her own half-eaten bagel, far too dazed to eat one more bite. Instead, feeling overcome with generosity and goodwill, she left a five-dollar tip for the ten-dollar check and grabbed her coat and purse from the back of her chair.

  As she left the Pancake House and started back up Main Street, her first inclination was to run and tell Daniel all about the meeting. More than anything, she wanted to share the exciting news with him. She wanted him to be the first to hear.

  But then she recalled her last conversation with him and all she was supposed to be thinking about. It was strange how she’d gone through such a long spell of not being able to fill in any blanks regarding her life, feeling vapid and lost. And now suddenly there were life-altering decisions to be made. People she needed to give answers to, including Belinda and, most of all, Daniel. And all soon. Very soon.

  Her boots clicking along the pavement, her mind jumped from one dizzying thought to another. Looking up ahead, she wished her church still stood at the top of the hill. If only it were there, she’d do what she’d done so many times before in her life when there were decisions to be made. She’d go sit in a pew to quiet the noise in her head and feel God’s stillness all around her.

  But with no church in sight, the only other thing that seemed to stand out in the landscape was the petal-outlined sign for Rose’s Knit One Quilt Too Cottage.

  So clearly she could see it. Rose’s Cottage. Rose wasn’t there any longer, obviously. Yet the Cottage still stood. But that was only because of the two women inside, Jessica and Lydia, who’d become very special parts of her heart. They’d been given a new shape to their lives. A second chance. And they’d been brave enough to embrace that and to try to make it work.

  Suddenly, her steps slowed. Her mind stopped racing. And a peaceful calm came over her as she realized all she’d been feeling for Daniel for the past months. She’d been given another chance. A second chance at love. With him.

  And all at once it wasn’t just her news about Annabelle’s that she wanted to share with him. No, it was more than that. It was what she knew for sure. All that she felt for him in her heart.

  Throughout the day, with thoughts of Daniel filling her mind and heart, Liz had barely been able to concentrate on any of her work obligations. Ironically, after suffering through months and months of a lingering dry spell, the one day when she wanted nothing more than to focus on her personal life and Daniel, she’d been booked solid with clients.

  Unfortunately, the sun had already set by the time she headed for Daniel’s house. As she drew to a stop in front of his home, she heard the shepherd
’s pie she’d made slide forward on the baking sheet she’d wedged into place on the passenger-side floor. She bent down to set it to rights before looking closer at the street outside. The houses on either side of Daniel’s brick ranch were completely lit up, time for most families to gather for dinner. In contrast, his home was as pitch-black as the December sky above it.

  Pulling into the driveway, noticing both his truck and his car there, she thought possibly he’d fallen asleep after work. But she rang his doorbell more than once, giving him ample time to answer. When he didn’t, she assumed it could only mean one of two things. Either someone had picked him up to go out or he was still at work and had walked the few blocks to the shop that day, something he sometimes did for exercise.

  She was hoping it was the latter as she got into her car and headed back toward town. But once she swung around the corner of Trader Lane and arrived at his shop, her heart sank all over again. All she could see were silhouettes of tables and chairs outlined by the streetlight shining in the store window.

  Except for—She leaned over the steering wheel. Was there possibly a sliver of light glowing from the rear of the shop? She turned off the car and got out, taking her pie peace offering with her. With each step closer, the glimmer of light grew, and so did her optimism. Without a doubt, someone was in the shop.

  Hoping it might be Daniel, she turned the doorknob, only to discover it was locked. She knocked. And knocked again. When no one came, she knocked a little louder, the sound echoing down the silent street.

  Please, Daniel. Please be here!

  Her toes were already beginning to feel the effects of the chilly temperature, but she was determined not to let another day go by without telling Daniel how much she cared for him. Suddenly feeling desperate, she knocked once again, then rapped on the glass of the door’s small window. And waited some more.

  All through the ride to his house, she’d had a vision of him throwing open his door and welcoming her into his arms, no matter the time of day or night. But now her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear, and physically her body definitely leaned toward unease. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her legs felt unsteady beneath her. Her teeth started to chatter more from apprehension than from the frigid temperature.