A Place of Peace

by Amy Clipston

  “Ab-by back too?” he asked, his expression hopeful.

  “Unfortunately, no.” Miriam shook her head. “I don’t think that will happen anytime soon. She seems to like her life in Indiana.”

  “Ab-by de-de-vorce, ya?” Abraham asked.

  Miriam nodded. “Her husband left her for his secretary.”

  “I know we’re not supposed to judge others, but Abby doesn’t deserve that,” Lilly said, folding her arms in front of her chest. “No one does.”

  “I agree.” Miriam nodded. “She deserves much better.”

  “What’s keeping her in Indiana?” Lilly asked.

  Miriam shrugged. “I’m not exactly sure. Maybe someday she’ll have a change of heart.”

  “Mr. Lapp,” a nurse asked from the doorway. “Are you ready for your physical therapy?”

  Lilly stood and kissed Abraham’s cheek. “We’ll let you do your therapy. We’ll come and see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Daed.” Miriam kissed his cheek.

  “D-d-d-danki.” He squeezed her hands.

  Miriam nodded to the nurse on her way out into the hallway. She and Lilly walked in silence out to the parking lot, where they climbed into the van owned by their English driver, Kimberly Johnson. Kimberly was an Englisher who worked full-time as a driver for the Amish. During the ride home, Lilly explained their father’s prognosis to Kimberly, sharing how much better he’d looked that day than he had earlier in the week.

  When they arrived home, Miriam and Lilly walked side-by-side back to the cabin.

  Miriam glanced up at the cloudless sky and breathed in the sweet smell of the fresh-cut hay. The warm sun kissed her cheeks, and she smiled. “The Lord has blessed us with a schee day,” she said, smoothing her apron. “It’s so gut to be home.”

  “Daed is thrilled you’re back home,” Lilly said. “I am too. I missed you.” She climbed the porch steps, sank onto the swing, and patted the seat next to her. “Sit.”

  Miriam sat next to her. “I missed you too, Schweschder.”

  “I’m sorry I was so horrible to you.” Lilly frowned. “You didn’t deserve it. You were always so gut and true. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.”

  “I could never hate you, Lilly.” Miriam touched her hand. “Why didn’t you ever tell me you liked Zach?”

  Lilly stared across the field. “It was pride. I was so jealous of you, and I know that’s a sin. I just couldn’t help it.”

  “Why?” Miriam shook her head with disbelief. “Why would you be jealous of me?”

  “Because you had two men after you, and I had none.” Lilly slumped in the seat. “Men never noticed me.”

  “That’s simply not true.” Miriam faced her sister. “Lilly, you’re beautiful, and you’re smart. You’re also talented. You’ve made the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen. You sell yourself short. Besides that, you had men after you. I can think of three who wanted to take you home from singings, but you wouldn’t give them the time of day.”

  “I didn’t want any of them. I only wanted one man, and I still only want one.”

  “So go after him, Lilly. You’re beautiful, and he’ll notice you. Just try.”

  Lilly shook her head. “I’ve tried with Zach. I spoke to him at singings years ago, and he would just smile and walk away. I tried at church services too, but it’s like I’m invisible. He’s the only man I’ve ever been interested in, but he looks right through me. It’s a lost cause. I was jealous, and that’s why I did what I did. I’m so sorry, Miriam. I truly am. I wish I could take it all back and fix it for you and Timothy. You deserve to be happy.”

  “You should’ve told me, Lilly, and maybe I could’ve helped you with Zach.” Miriam contemplated the thought for a brief moment. While she had considered pursuing Zach herself, she knew that she didn’t love him. He was a dear friend, but not the man she longed to have as a life mate. However, she wanted to see her sister happy. Maybe, just maybe, both Zach and Lilly could be life mates, and it would bring Miriam joy to see her sister and her dear friend happy together.

  Miriam sat up straight and grinned. “I still can help you. I could set you and Zach up. Maybe you can come to supper one night, and I’ll invite Zach too.”

  Lilly shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’m a grown woman. I should take care of these things myself.”

  “It’s no bother at all. I love to cook. I can invite him over one night, and you can come too.” Miriam patted Lilly’s hand. “You name the night.”

  Lilly shook her head. “You don’t need to go to such trouble.”

  Miriam snapped her fingers as a thought hit her. “Lilly, you and Zach would be perfect together!”

  Looking intrigued, her sister raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  Miriam grabbed Lilly’s hand and shook it with excitement. “You both love novels!”

  “He likes to read?” Lilly’s eyes rounded. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Why didn’t I think of this before? You’ll have so much to talk about.” Miriam squeezed Lilly’s hand. “Yes, you must let me cook dinner for you both.”

  Lilly hesitated and then shook her head. “It’s not necessary.” She stood. “I better get back home. I have two quilts I need to finish for Naomi. I’ll see you later on.” She gave Miriam a quick hug. “Have a good afternoon and kiss Aenti for me.”

  “See you later.” Miriam watched her sister lope across the field and smiled. Despite her sister’s hesitation, she was going to see to it that Lilly got her chance with Zach.

  No one should be alone.

  21

  Timothy climbed the stairs to the bakery and nodded at English customers who greeted him. Stepping through the doorway, the sweet smell of pastries filled his nostrils, causing his stomach to growl. He weaved through the sea of tourists to the counter and smiled at his niece.

  Lizzie mirrored his smile. “Hi, Onkel Timothy.”

  He leaned on the counter. “Gude mariye. Wie geht’s?”

  “It’s been crazy busy all day.” She shook her head. “Ruthie and I are having a hard time keeping the counter stocked. It’s like the tourists came out of the woodwork or somethin'. It’s a good thing Miriam came back to help us.”

  His pulse leapt at the sound of her name. Without realizing it, Lizzie had answered the question that had been burning in his soul and caused him to make a mid-morning run to the bakery for “snacks for the workers.” Timothy had a feeling his father knew the truth from the way he’d grinned and told Timothy to go get the pastries.

  He’d trekked the mile to the bakery on foot since their English driver had taken Luke on a supply run. Somehow the walk in the boiling heat hadn’t bothered Timothy one bit, since he was hoping to see Miriam.

  Let Miriam go! It’s time to move on.

  Timothy ignored the thoughts and glanced past the counter toward the kitchen. “Is your grossmammi back there?”

  “Ya.” Lizzie nodded toward the doorway leading to the kitchen. “She’s baking.”

  While a tourist stepped forward to ask Lizzie a question, Timothy slipped behind the counter and into the kitchen, where his sisters rushed around working on various baked goods, and his mother barked orders for more sand tart cookies.

  His heart thumped against his ribcage when he spotted Miriam alone in the corner standing over a crumbly peach pie. Crossing the kitchen, his stomach growled with anticipation of the delicious pie.

  Engrossed in her work, Miriam kept her eyes on her creation while standing at the island counter in the center of the work area. Her tongue stuck out from between her teeth, evidence she was concentrating.

  She was the picture of beauty with long wisps of dark hair that had fallen from her kapp framing her perfect pixie face. Her lips were a shade of deep rose, and her high cheekbones were pink from the heat of the kitchen. She’d never looked more radiant, and he wished he could freeze the moment in time.

  A smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “You were kind to make that pie for
me.”

  Her eyes met his, and she sucked in a breath, cupping a hand to her chest. “Timothy!” She grabbed a rag and wiped her hands. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough.” Grinning, he leaned on the counter. “I’m sorry for startling you. I should’ve announced myself, but you were so deep in thought I couldn’t help but watch you.”

  Her cheeks blushed a deeper red.

  She’s so schee.

  “Is that pie for me? You know it’s my favorite.” He breathed in the scent of the sweet peaches. “It smells appeditlich.”

  Her smile was coy. “All customers are welcome to purchase the entire pie if they choose to do so. I would imagine you’d get a Kauffman family discount.”

  To his surprise, she was playing along with his flirtatious banter—just like she used to do when they were a couple. His pulse skittered. He resisted the urge to swipe a crumb from her cheek. Touching would be too personal, too dangerous for his heart.

  “I was sorry to hear your daed has fallen ill. How is he?” he asked, steering the conversation to a safer subject.

  “Gut.” She leaned back on the supply counter behind her. “His rehabilitation is going well. He’s learned how to feed himself, and he’s working with a speech therapist. It’s a miracle after the stroke he suffered. He’s coming home in a couple of weeks.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He absently ran his finger along the smooth counter as confidence surged through him. He longed to tell her how he felt about her. “I was glad to hear you came back and are going to be baptized. Beth Anne told me you’d worked things out with your family. That’s wunderbaar.”

  “Danki. It’s good to be back.” She fingered the ties on her kapp, a nervous habit he remembered her doing often.

  An uncomfortable silence fell between them, and the air surrounding them felt electrified. He glanced down at the pie to avoid losing himself in her deep brown eyes.

  She snatched a knife off the counter, sliced the pie, and placed a piece on a plate. She held the pie and a fork out to him, and her smile was genuine and sweet, turning his insides to butter.

  “Here,” she said. “Take a bite before you melt the pie with your stare.”

  “No, I couldn’t.” He shook his head. “That’s for the customers.”

  She continued to hold the piece out for him. “Please. Just eat it. You’ll insult me if you don’t.”

  “I certainly don’t want to insult you.” Accepting the pie from her, he took a bite, and it melted in his mouth. “Miriam, you still make the best crumbly peach pie in Lancaster County. No one could ever hold a candle to you.”

  Her smile faded, and he instantly regretted the double meaning of the comment.

  But it’s true. No one could ever hold a candle to you.

  Her smile reappeared, but it was forced, resembling a grimace. “Congratulations on your upcoming wedding to Naomi. Lilly told me the wunderbaar news.”

  He tried to smile, but his lips remained flat. “Danki.”

  “I wish you all of the happiness in the world.” She fingered the ties in her kapp. “You deserve it.”

  He studied her eyes, wishing he could read her thoughts. Was she truly happy for him, or did she feel the same regret that was coursing through him?

  “Timothy!” Elizabeth’s voice sounded behind him, but he kept his gaze locked on Miriam’s, awaiting a sign of her true feelings.

  Elizabeth sidled up to him. “Did Dat send you over for whoopie pies again today? I’m going to have to start charging that man. He’s hurting my profits.”

  Her eyes still unreadable, Miriam nodded toward Elizabeth. “I believe she’s speaking to you, Timothy.”

  Timothy cut his gaze to Elizabeth. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  Her frown was impatient. “I asked if your dat sent you for whoopie pies.”

  “Oh. Ya. He did.” Timothy prayed he didn’t look as frazzled as he felt. “Two dozen would be wunderbaar.”

  “Two dozen this time? Is he narrisch?” Elizabeth threw her hands up. “I don’t know if I have that many made. He may have to settle for one dozen.” She started across the kitchen. “He has to stop these mid-morning orders. It’s not good for business.”

  She stopped and spun, facing Miriam. “Miriam, I forgot to tell you Zach called. It must’ve been an hour ago, but we’ve been so busy it slipped my mind. He wanted me to tell you to call him. I apologize for not telling you earlier, but it’s been crazy.”

  Timothy’s stomach knotted. Facing her, he found Miriam’s cheeks blazing a deeper red.

  She’s seeing Zach Fisher.

  Does she love him?

  He wondered if she would be announcing her engagement soon. Was Zach the reason behind her joining the church? Would she follow through with their nuptials, unlike she had with Timothy?

  “Timothy!” Elizabeth called. “Come help me package up these whoopie pies for Dat. We have work to do around here.”

  Miriam’s expression softened. “You’d better go. She’s a bit stressed today.”

  “I can hear it in her voice.” He gave her a tentative smile. “It was gut seeing you, Miriam.”

  “Would you like to take some crumbly peach pie with you?” she asked, cutting her eyes to the pie. “I can make another one.”

  He shook his head. “I’d better not push it with Mamm. It’s not wise to cross her when she’s stressed out.”

  She chuckled, and her radiant smile was back. “You’re right.”

  “Have a gut day,” he said, fighting the urge to reach over and touch her.

  “Ya,” she whispered. “You too.”

  I hope to see you again soon.

  He swallowed the thought and crossed the kitchen to join Elizabeth, who was loading whoopie pies into a large cardboard box.

  “You tell Dat he has to stop these surprise orders,” she mumbled. “I need some warning. If he called ahead then it wouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Ya,” Timothy said, adding pies to the box. “I’ll remind him.”

  After the whoopie pies were loaded up, he hoisted the box from the counter. “Danki, Mamm.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll enjoy them.”

  “Ya, ya.” She waved him off. “Tell your dat I’ll give him a piece of my mind later.”

  He said good-bye to his sisters and then glanced across the room and found Miriam studying him, her eyes focused and intense. He’d give anything to be able to read the thoughts in that pretty head of hers.

  Stepping out into the store area, he wondered what Naomi would think if she knew he’d made up an excuse to visit Miriam.

  It would break her heart.

  Miriam blew out the breath she’d been holding for what felt like several minutes. She stared at the doorway, wishing Timothy would realize he’d forgotten something, maybe the crumbly peach pie, and come back to get it.

  He’d looked so handsome in that dark blue shirt. His blue eyes had sent her insides into a wild spin. And that smile, oh, that smile …

  She closed her eyes and groaned. It was a sin to covet another woman’s husband.

  But he’s not married yet!

  Miriam suppressed her scheming inner voice and turned her attention to slicing the pie on the counter. She then grabbed the plastic wrap and began wrapping each piece.

  While she worked, Timothy’s smooth, warm voice echoed through her mind. His genuine interest in her and her family, along with his flirtatious jokes, had caught her off guard.

  Was he toying with her emotions?

  She’d never known Timothy to play games. Yet, she wondered why he would show her so much attention when he was marrying another woman.

  Miriam’s stomach lurched at the thought of Timothy and Naomi. Although Miriam held no claim to Timothy, she couldn’t digest the thought of Timothy and Naomi living in the house he’d built for her.

  But she’d left him. How could she expect him to wait for her?

  However, on an inexplicable level, Timothy
had seemed to be testing her today. Was he trying to tell her something? What had he meant when he said, “No one can hold a candle to you?” Was he referring to more than just her cooking?

  The comment had struck so deep in her soul that she’d deliberately mentioned his wedding to remind him he’d chosen someone else to be his bride. Paying Miriam such a high compliment felt like a cruel joke.

  He must’ve only meant my baking.

  “Miriam?” Beth Anne asked, approaching the counter. “Would you mind making another chocolate cake? Lizzie says we’re out again.”

  “Of course,” Miriam said with a smile.

  Beth Anne glanced down at the pie. “That looks wunderbaar. Did my brother steal a piece?”

  Miriam loaded the individually wrapped pieces onto a tray. “Ya, he did. I tried to get him to take the whole pie, but he said your mamm would scold him.”

  Beth Anne lifted the tray. “I’ll take this out front.”

  “Danki.” Miriam pulled out a cake pan and a mixing bowl from the cabinet behind her. Turning, she found Beth Anne still watching her. “Ya? May I help you?”

  “Timothy seemed froh to see you,” Beth Anne said.

  Miriam shrugged, wishing her cheeks wouldn’t flare at the sound of his name. “We’re friends, and nothing more. He’s marrying Naomi, and I’m happy for them.” She hoped she sounded casual.

  “Ya. Friends.” Beth Anne sounded unconvinced, but she smiled. “You best get to baking that cake. The customers are fond of your recipe.”

  Miriam heaved a deep sigh while Beth Anne walked away. She hoped she could get used to seeing Timothy without wearing her heartstrings on her sleeve.

  Miriam felt a hand touch her arm, and she turned to find Kathryn giving her an unreadable expression. She hoped Kathryn wasn’t going to chime in on Beth Anne’s observations. While Kathryn hadn’t greeted Miriam with a warm hug, she also hadn’t been rude since Miriam came back. She seemed almost happy to have Miriam there.