by Dawnya Sasse
"Have I done something wrong, Mr. Calloway? If so, I am happy to make the necessary changes.”
Thomas shook his head, "I meant to say that I am a new lawyer in town. I am looking to hang up my shingle here in Adams. I moved to Adams two days ago, and for two days I have done nothing but look for a place to set up my office. “
“Unfortunately, there is not one place to rent here. I was just about to give up when the grocer, Mr. Hayman told me your story. He said you have a middle floor that has never opened to the public. He thought you might consider renting it to me.”
Thomas took a breath. His hands trembled a bit as he spoke and Sarah could see the passion in those bright green eyes. He was passionate about the law just as she had been passionate about the Eaterie. She liked that.
"Are you asking me for housing Mr. Calloway or office space? As you know, I am a single woman, and I live with my Auntie, who serves as my chaperone and daily companion. We would not consider having a man live with us." She blurted the last phrase out and then awkwardly bit her bottom lip.
Thomas blushed.
"I am looking for office space, Miss Kunz. I have set up housekeeping in the Harold House boarding and will stay there until I build a house of my own in Adams. I would pay you a fair monthly rent and abide by your hours. My clients and I would use your Eaterie whenever we were able. Is that something you might consider, Miss. Kunz?”
Just then another guest walked in the front door. Sarah glanced at the clock. It was four. Time to begin working on supper. Straightening her apron, she invited the guest to come in.
"Mr. Calloway," she said, “the offer interests me greatly, and I think it could be a help to us both. Please give me a day to talk with my Aunt and to consider the possibilities. If we come to an agreement, I would be happy to give you a tour of our mezzanine floor." With that, she hustled off into the kitchen.
Thomas finished his last sip of coffee, grabbed his hat, his book, and his case. Then on a whim, he turned and called out to the new customer, "You'll never get better pie than this!" Smiling, he exited the Eaterie, placed his top hat on his head strolling down the cobblestones toward the courthouse.
The day dragged on and on, and Sarah and Sadie worked till nine P.M. without rest. Finally, the last set of guests exited the building. Sarah locked the door, waved and closed the shop blinds. It was the end of another week. Tomorrow was Sunday and a full day of rest.
Sarah cherished Sundays; they were a gift in her otherwise hectic world, Once a week; Sarah could catch up on personal needs, spend a bit of time reading a book or doing a bit of needlework. Sunday mornings she attended church services with Auntie Sadie. In the afternoon she enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the courthouse grounds listening as her heels clicked along the cobblestone path.
As a child, Sunday was the day Papa had read from the good book. Sarah missed this tradition. Sadie often quoted the good book aloud, but she didn't have the same soothing voice as Papa. It was on Sunday's that Sarah missed her father the most.
As the day of rest drew to a close, Sarah and Sadie sat down to a simple supper. Reverend Orvis’ wife sent over a large piece of butter cake for the two ladies to split with their evening tea. As the women sipped tea and ate cake, they discussed Mr. Thomas Calloway's offer.
Auntie Sadie smiled wide and said, "Jesus, you are so good to us! Just think. The Israelites received Manna, and we are going to collect rent. Praise your name, praise your name.”
Sarah laughed. She had wrongly assumed that Auntie might be offended by Mr. Calloway's offer. Funny, she should have known better. Sadie thought the best of everyone and had never met a person she didn't like. "Do you think I should tell him yes? “
"Honey, what are you waiting for? You have been worrying about tomorrow and asking God how to build this business with no income? Now our Lord Jesus has brought you the income just like you asked. I say, Yes and Amen. Let's thank God together." So they did.
Sadie and Sarah bowed their heads, and Sadie prayed the most beautiful prayer of thanksgiving Sarah had ever heard. When she finished, Sarah noticed tears welling in the corner of her eyes and her heart filled with a deep peace.
“I am so very grateful for you Sadie. You changed your whole life so that you could help me. I don't know how I will ever thank you." Sarah took her Auntie's hands in her own and squeezed them tight.
"It's my honor to serve you and serve my Lord. Adams is God's town. It just doesn't know it yet.”
With that, the ladies headed up the steep flight of stairs to their bedrooms
The Plan
Since the Eaterie opened, Andrew Saner hadn’t slept a full night. He tossed and turned on his giant four poster bed haunted by the notion of being “bested” by a woman. There was no doubt the Eaterie would fail. It was just a matter of time. Why should he, Andrew Saner, have to wait? He just had to find the right way to close Sarah’s business and buy her building. He had to think of something. Anything.
A slow, crooked smile edged itself across his deeply tanned face. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? What Miss Kunz needed was a husband. A firm husband, who would bend her will and through marriage control the Kunz property.
It was right in front of his eyes. How could he have not thought of it before? Andrew stood and slowly straightening his perfectly fitted coat. Finally, he had found the answer.
Tonight he would sleep like a baby. No one bested Andrew Saner, especially not a woman. He would own that property, and he would send Miss Kunz back to Kansas City where she belonged. Tomorrow he would locate just the right man for the job. “The building” was as good as his.

Sadie sat straight up in bed. A cold sweat rolled down her back, and her brown eyes peered into the darkness. She had had another one of those dreams. There was no denying it. Sadie pushed her legs out of her covers and dropped to the floor in a kneeling position. She pushed her thick brown braid over her shoulder to her back. Sadie had just received a message from the great beyond. Jesus was speaking to her; she would know His voice anywhere.
In the darkness, her bedroom felt different. Holy. As if God himself had stepped into this place to communicate with her heart and mind.
“Lord? I hear ya. I hear ya. You got my attention now. What do you have to say?” Sadie’s heart beat rapidly. She waited in silence.
Slowly, Sadie’s heart rate slowed, and her breathing steadied. Still, she remained in the dark on her knees, a position which had become familiar through the years.
Then her mind flashed back to the dream.
Sarah was cooking in the Eaterie, dressed in her black mourning dress. Her head hung down over the stove as she focused on preparing the meal.
Then suddenly the back door opened and in came a short, stocky man with a deep brown beard. He ran over to Sarah and from behind, swept her up in his arms. He moved so fast that Sarah didn’t see it coming. The man carried Sarah away from the kitchen and into the dining room.
It was then that Sarah’s mourning clothes turned from black to a brilliant white. Now Sarah was dressed in a white flowing gown like a beautiful bride.
Sadie was so happy for Sarah...but when she looked up Sarah’s face had been covered with a veil. Sadie’s fingers reached toward the beautiful sheer veil and pulled it upward; suddenly Sarah was no longer before her.
Instead, the tanned face of Andrew Saner stared back at Sadie.
Then she woke up.
Sadie’s knees began to ache. Still, she lingered praying under her breath.
“What do you have to say to me, Jesus? My ears are a listening and my heart knows you are true.”

Two weeks had sailed by since Mr. Thomas Calloway had placed his shingle on the main street. He was now officially “lawyering” in the prairie town of Adams. To Sarah's surprise, Mr. Calloway had many clients marching up and down the stairs to his office. His visitors seem to come in all shapes and sizes.
Occasionally, a client was unable or unw
illing to climb the stairs, and Mr. Calloway led them to a private table in the Eaterie. Mr. Calloway told Sarah that when you lawyered in a small town, you never knew what tomorrow would send your way.
So far, Thomas handled land disputes, wills, deeds, claims and whatever manner of need walked in his door. He felt he had a distinct advantage having his office so close to the courthouse and in a place where refreshment was readily available. Sarah's business had most certainly profited by having a tenant.
The truth was, she liked Mr. Calloway. His twinkling green eyes were connecting with hers off and on throughout the day. He loved to tease Sarah as she tore off her boots the moment the Eaterie closed. Each evening as he walked down the stairs he was certain to find her mopping the floor in her bare feet, skirts tucked up into her waistband. Of course, Thomas was too much of a gentleman to say anything, so he merely nodded his head and said goodnight with a crooked little grin across his face. Sarah appreciated that.
Every day someone new discovered the Kunz Eaterie. The most popular dish on their menu was their cottage pie made with ground beef or lamb, piled high with mashed potatoes. Sarah's cottage pie was served with a generous slice of Auntie Sadie's honey bread and a strong cup of coffee. Auntie Sadie's pie was also becoming a town staple.
This month, her Adams Berry Pie was the dessert of choice. Local church ladies sold Sadie their berries and she folded them into the lightest crust known to man. Men folk ordered full pies so their women could attempt to replicate her recipe, but as far as they knew, no one had even come close.
A great sense of satisfaction was invading Sarah's heart. The Eaterie was two months old, and they had not only survived their first months, but they were growing. This was a great accomplishment, and Sarah was sure they had defied the odds.
When Trouble Calls
Three days later a short, bearded man strolled into the Kunz Eaterie for the very first time. His brown hair and eyes were both pleasant and inviting. He smiled appreciatively as Sarah entered the room offering him the front table near the window.
“Welcome to the Kunz Eaterie. I’m Sarah. Your dinner options are listed on the board. Would you like some coffee?”
The bearded gentleman nodded and reached for Sarah’s hand.
“I’m Luke Heff.”
“ I’ve heard about the amazing gooseberry pie, and I just had to come in and try it for myself. May I say they were right about you?”
Sarah scowled playfully, placing her hands on her hips.
“And what have you heard?”
Luke laughed. “ I heard that you are as lovely as a prairie rose, and they sure weren’t a lying!”
Sarah blushed and attempted a professional demeanor.
“I would be happy to bring you a piece of gooseberry pie and a cup of coffee Mr. Heff. Anything else?”
“Please, call me Luke and I’ll take the chicken dinner special as well.”
With that, Sarah turned and headed to the kitchen. She could feel the intensity of Mr. Heff’s gaze upon her retreating skirt. She could also feel her cheeks coloring, and it wasn’t the heat from the kitchen.
“Auntie, we need a chicken special with a piece of gooseberry. I will bring Luke his coffee.”
Sadie’s eyes went to Sarah’s and she looked long and hard at her niece. Something was different. She saw it in Sarah’s eyes, and she felt it in her gut. Was that a stirring in her spirit? She knew she needed divine insight. Sadie has been warned about someone coming to the restaurant to sweep Sarah off her feet. She didn’t know if Luke was the man from the dream, but she knew for certain, she must talk to Sarah and prepare her.
Sadie placed fried chicken on the plate with mashed potatoes. “Well, Jesus, you must have a way to say it, but it sure would have been easier if you’d have just given the dream to Sarah in the first place. What shall I say, what shall I say dear Jesus?”
The supper hours flew by and Sarah prepared to wash the floors. Auntie Sadie pulled the thick toile curtains around the shop windows and turned the open sign to closed. Then she noticed it. A small bunch of flowers wedged between the stoop and the restaurant front door. Her heart stopped. It was now or never. She had to share the dream with Sarah. There was no time to wait.
Sadie wasted no time in talking to Sarah. It didn’t matter if Sarah thought she was crazy, what mattered is sharing what Jesus had on His mind. So she did.
“Dear one, I have something to say, and it’s important that you hear me.”
Sarah looked puzzled. She had never seen her Auntie so serious. “What is it?”
Sadie took a breath, then spoke the words she’d been practicing all day.
“For many years I have lived alone, but the truth is I was never alone. Jesus was always with me. He always takes care of me. When I was afraid, He would send me comfort. When I needed hope, He sent me here to you. He's never failed me Sarah, and that’s why I know He won’t start now.”
Sarah untied her tall boots and sat down on a dining room chair. Her feet were killing her, and she was too tired to fight the ache any longer.
She sat quietly waiting for Auntie to continue but Sadie said nothing. Sarah took in the quiet and felt a shift in the room. It felt like the energy had changed, as if something warm had entered flooding her heart with deep peace. Sarah’s eyes began to well up with tears, and she pushed them away with the back of her hand.
“Auntie Sadie, are you leaving? Is that what you are trying to tell me?”
Sadie smiled.
“No, dear, it’s not that. God has something for Adams and I am here to help you and Him complete the job. You're not gonna get rid of me that easy. No, what I am trying to say Sarah was last night, I had a dream. A warning dream. Do you believe in warnings?”
Sarah thought about her childhood and how her older sister, Carolyn often spoke of a “knowing” that she experienced down in her heart. When Sarah was nine, she fell into a muddy stream near their house and would have drowned if it weren't for her sister dashing in to save her. Later, Sarah asked Carolyn how she had known to look for her at the creek. Carolyn replied she had been warned in a dream to watch for Sarah and to keep her safe.
As Sarah pondered this vivid memory, she knew that whatever Auntie Sadie had to say was important. It was clear that she heard from the Almighty in a way that Sarah didn’t yet understand.
“Tell me, Auntie. I will listen.”
And so Sadie shared her dream, her confidence that it was a warning and her concern that Mr. Saner was up to something.
“Are you saying, Mr. Saner wants this building so badly that he would do something to take it away from me?”
“No, dear. I'm not saying it. Jesus, He is saying it, and I believe Him. I think Mr. Saner is going to send you a suitor and that this man is NOT what he might seem.” Sadie paused, licked her lips and patted her hair bun. “ Now dear one, I should also tell you that there are flowers on the doorstep with your name on them.”
Sarah sat stunned.
“You mean in your dream?”
“No dear, they're on the doorstep right now.”
Sarah's brain felt fuzzy. Her bare feet shuffled to the front door, unlocked the bolt and picked up the passle of prairie roses tied with a blue satin ribbon. The card read,
“To The Rose of Adams.”
Affectionately Yours, Luke Heff.
Sadie was right. Sarah had done nothing to encourage the overt affection of Mr. Heff and as lonely as Sarah was, her heart knew something wasn’t right.
At that very moment, heavy footsteps came down the stairs from the Mezzanine. Mr. Calloway nodded to them as he entered the dining room with his hat and case in hand.
“Ladies, just on my way home. Can I help you with anything before I go?”
Thomas’ eyes went to the small bouquet of roses tightly grasped in Sarah’s hands. Her face said it all. She was overcome with emotion, though he couldn’t tell if she were preparing to dance or cry. He looked to Sadie, who nodded her head knowingly.
And with that, Thomas placed his hat upon his head, crossed through the door and walked down Commercial Street to the Harold House boarding house. Thomas knew there was more to the story, but he liked Sarah and Sadie, and wasn’t about to poke his nose in where it wasn’t wanted. If they needed him, they would let him know.
Over the next several weeks, Sadie’s dream became glaringly real. The Eaterie was suddenly filled with Adam’s most eligible young men, all eager to make the acquaintance of Miss Kunz. Sarah went from being unnoticed in the town of 1,000 to the most available young woman in the county. If one man failed to win her attention, a new gentleman would arrive to take his place. The only good thing in the circus was the constant stream of new customers who happily paid for the best food in town.