A Season of Love

by Amy Clipston

  Rebecca smiled. “That’s so kind of her. I’d love a piece.”

  Katie placed Rebecca’s glass on the nightstand beside her and handed her the plate for the pretzel before lifting the tray. “I’ll go get you a piece of cake.” She turned to her friends. “To celebrate your exciting news, I’ll make some chocolate chip kichlin. I have a new recipe I put together which includes some nuts along with the chocolate chips.”

  “Sounds gut. Danki, Katie,” Lizzie Anne said with a smile while Lindsay nodded.

  When Katie arrived home later that afternoon, she found Samuel in the back pasture hammering a post into the ground as part of the fence repair. She approached him, relieved to find him alone. She felt disappointment and hurt bubble up inside her as she stood in front of him. “Hi,” she said.

  “Hey.” Samuel dropped the mallet onto the ground and yanked off his work gloves. “Did you just get heemet from Aenti Rebecca’s?”

  Katie leaned against a stable fence post. “Ya.”

  “How is she?” he asked as he lifted a jug of water.

  “Doing well.” She folded her arms over her apron and watched him drink from the jug.

  “Did you have fun?” He placed the jug on the ground and wiped his glistening forehead with a rag.

  “I did. I helped clean, and I baked some kichlin.” Katie paused and studied him, wondering how long he’d been keeping the secret from her.

  “What?” He looked confused. “You look upset.”

  She gestured toward the pasture behind him. “Is this where you plan to build your haus?” When he didn’t answer she pressed on. “Are you fixing the fence in preparation for the haus? Dat’s helping you get the land ready, ya?”

  “Lizzie Anne told you.” He frowned. “And you’re upset you didn’t know first.”

  “Ya, Lizzie Anne did tell me, and I’m upset the news didn’t come from you.” Katie stood up straight. “How long have you known you were going to propose? Better yet, how long have Mamm and Dat known?”

  “Mamm doesn’t know,” he said. “You and I both know Mamm couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. She’s ruined Christmas surprises more than once.”

  “Only Dat knows?” Katie asked.

  “Ya.” He wiped his brow with the back of his hand.

  She considered his words, feeling childish and hurt at the same time. “Why didn’t you tell me too?”

  He grinned and shook his head. “You’re one of Lizzie Anne’s closest freinden. How could I trust you to keep it to yourself?”

  “How could you not?” Katie pointed to her chest. “I’ve trusted you so many times in the past, Samuel. Remember when I was struggling with whether or not I should write Lindsay and tell her how grank Aenti Rebecca was? I needed someone’s advice, and I came to you. No one else — just you, Sam.”

  He shook his head. “This is different.”

  “How so?” She challenged him with a glower.

  “This is a life-changing step I’m taking with the maedel I love, Katie. It’s not the same as trying to figure out whether or not you should go against an elder.” He shook his head with disbelief. “Why are you even upset with me? You were going to find out eventually.”

  “But Lizzie Anne is one of mei best freinden, and you’re mei bruder. Plus, you’re going to be living in our house. This affects me.”

  “But it’s my life.” He pointed to his chest. “This isn’t about you. It’s about me and Lizzie Anne. Besides, she already told you. You have no reason to be upset. So you found out a day after she did.” He shrugged. “What’s so bad about that?”

  Katie frowned while he put his gloves back on. She couldn’t understand why her brother didn’t feel the need to apologize. Why didn’t her feelings matter?

  “Why aren’t you froh for us?” Samuel asked as he lifted the mallet. “I thought you were excited Lizzie Anne and I were together.”

  “It seems like you’re moving awfully fast.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You think so?”

  She nodded. “She’s only eighteen.”

  “And she’ll be nineteen in January,” he said. “I’m almost twenty-two.”

  “Mamm and Dat were older when they were married.” Katie leaned back against the fence. “Why do you need to rush into this when you don’t even have a haus? Why do you want to bring your bride heemet to your parents’ haus?”

  He frowned. “You’re awfully judgmental.”

  “No, I’m not.” Katie lifted her chin in defiance. “You asked me what I thought, and I told you. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Samuel eyed her with suspicion. “Actually, I think you did. It seems like you are being spiteful because you’re upset I didn’t tell you first.”

  “That’s not true.” But she knew her brother was right; she just wasn’t about to admit it. She was hurt, and it caused her to say unkind things.

  “Katie!” Her father’s voice boomed from across the pasture. “Your mamm is looking for you!”

  “I’ll see you later,” she said before she jogged back toward the house. She didn’t like how mean she was being to her brother, but she knew why she had said those hurtful things to him. For the first time, she felt alone while her two best friends moved on with their lives.

  7

  Monday morning, Katie pushed the broom around the front area of the bakery, moving it past the small tables and display carousels as if she were navigating a maze. She hummed to herself while remembering the hymns she’d sung during the singing last night. When she’d found there wasn’t any room on the bench for her to sit with Lizzie Anne and Lindsay, Katie had chosen to sit with Nancy and her friends for a good portion of the evening. Later on, Lindsay had come and asked her why she wasn’t sitting with her and Lizzie Anne. When Katie told her that there wasn’t any room, Lindsay had insisted she join them and had made room.

  Fetching the dustpan from the floor, Katie felt disappointment nip at her. Although she was happy to sit with her friends, she couldn’t stand being the fifth wheel as their relationships with their boyfriends blossomed.

  She pushed the thought aside while sweeping up the dirt from the floor into the dustpan. Once the dustpan was full, she crossed to the trash can and dumped it in before returning to the broom in the center of the room. A truck rumbled into the parking lot outside, and Katie wondered who could be arriving so early in the morning.

  Elizabeth crossed into the front of the store from the kitchen and smiled. “They’re here. Eli said they’d be here early.”

  “Daadi is here?” Katie asked, leaning the broom against the doorframe. “Who else?”

  “I’m not sure which carpenter he brought with him.” Elizabeth headed out the front door and onto the porch that surrounded the bakery.

  Katie stood by the large windows at the front of the bakery and spotted her grandfather, Eli, and Jake Miller walking from Jake’s pickup toward the porch where Elizabeth stood. Jake was clad in work boots, jeans, a button-down, green shirt, and a baseball cap.

  After a brief conversation on the porch, Elizabeth entered the bakery, followed by Eli and Jake. Katie stood by the window and leaned on the broom while her grandparents moved past her.

  “Wie geht’s,” Eli said with a wave.

  “I’m fine, danki,” Katie said. “How are you, Daadi?”

  “I’m well.” Eli followed Elizabeth over to the counter in front of the entrance to the kitchen.

  “This is where I’d like the new display cases.” Elizabeth made a sweeping gesture and explained how she’d like the new cabinets.

  Jake sidled up to Katie. “Wie geht’s?”

  “Hi, Jake,” Katie said. “How are you?”

  “I’m well.” He smiled. “Looks like we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other.”

  “Oh?” she asked with surprise. “Why is that?”

  “Remember that cabinet project I told you about a while back?”

  Katie nodded.

  Jake jammed a thumb toward
her grandparents. “Today we start it. Your grandfather thinks business will start slowing down, so we can start it now and finish before spring.”

  “Oh.” Katie smiled. “That’s wunderbaar gut. The bakery could use a little bit of a facelift. It certainly stays too busy to do it in the summer.”

  Jake crossed his arms over his chest. “I heard congratulations are in order.”

  “Ya.” Katie frowned and nodded, thinking of her brother and the awkward conversation they’d shared two days ago.

  Jake looked surprised. “Oh. I said the wrong thing. I’m sorry. I thought baptism was an important occasion. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh no. I’m the one who’s sorry,” Katie said, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I thought you were talking about something else. You’re right. I was baptized, and it is an important occasion. Danki very much.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled again. “I know being baptized is a sacred moment. I’m certain it was a very special day for you.”

  “It was,” she said.

  “I’ve often wondered about the Amish baptism,” Jake said. “I wish I could come to one.”

  “Really?” Katie was surprised. “Why would you want to come?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve always been interested in the Amish customs. After all, my grandparents are Amish and my mother used to be before she met and married my father.”

  Katie pointed toward his shirt. “You almost look Amish with your button-down shirt.”

  “Yeah, but my jeans and ball cap ruin the look, huh?” He grinned, and she laughed.

  “Ya,” she said. “You’re right.”

  “Jake,” Eli called. “Let’s cut the chatter and start unloading supplies. Mei fraa is anxious to get her new cabinets installed.”

  “I’m ready when you are, Eli,” Jake said. He started for the door and then stopped and faced Katie. “Do you have the chocolate chip cookies you promised me?”

  Katie gestured toward the kitchen. “I can whip some up.”

  “Really?” He looked impressed and then suddenly doubtful. “Or will you just grab some from the shelf and pass them off as your own.”

  She frowned. “You don’t trust me, Jake Miller?”

  “Jake,” Eli said as he stood at the door. “We’re here to work, not beg for kichlin. Kumm.” He started for the truck, letting the door slam behind him.

  Katie grinned. “Beg for kichlin,” she repeated with a chuckle.

  Jake wagged a finger at her. “They better be your kichlin and not someone else’s.”

  She crossed her heart. “You have my word.”

  “Good.” He winked and then headed out the door.

  “Katie,” Elizabeth called, “please finish the sweeping.”

  “Ya, Mammi.” Katie turned and found her grandmother frowning. “What?” She glanced around the bakery. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No. I just need you to finish up your work out here and then continue with your baking for the day.” Elizabeth headed back toward the kitchen.

  “I will, Mammi.” Katie gazed out the window toward Jake’s truck and smiled. It was nice to have a new friend.

  Katie slid chocolate chip cookies onto a plate and then glanced up at the clock, finding it was almost noon. With the plate in one hand and her lunch bag in the other, she crossed the kitchen to the office where Elizabeth sat at the desk examining a ledger.

  “Mammi,” Katie began, “I’m going to take lunch.”

  “I’ll join you,” Amanda, her cousin, called from the other side of the bakery.

  “I will too,” Ruthie chimed in.

  Elizabeth pointed at the cookies. “Katie, did you make those for Jake?”

  “No. I made them for everyone. I’m going to bring some out for Daadi and share them with Amanda and Ruthie during lunch too.” Katie glanced at the plate and breathed in the scent of the chocolate chips, causing her stomach to growl.

  “Gut.” Elizabeth’s expression softened. “Just remember you need to be careful, Katie. Jake is Mennonite.”

  “I know, but he’s mei freind, Mammi.” Katie turned toward the door. “After lunch I’ll start on a peach cobbler.” She moved through the doorway and found Eli and Jake working together to take apart the existing display cabinets. A pile of wood and tools sat behind them.

  Jake looked over. “Do I smell chocolate chip cookies?”

  “I made them for you and Daadi.” Katie moved the plate back and forth. “Don’t they smell gut?” He reached for the plate, and she snatched it back from his reach. “You both need to take a break for lunch before you can have one.”

  “What time is it?” Eli asked, wiping his hands on a rag. “Is it lunchtime already?”

  “It’s noon.” Katie handed her grandfather a cookie. “Have one, Daadi.”

  Eli grinned at Jake. “Freindschaften have priority.” He bit into the cookie and nodded with approval. “Appeditlich.” He started toward the kitchen. “Lunchtime. Enjoy a break.”

  Jake wiped his hands on a rag. “Let me wash up and then get my lunch out of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Eli said he set it in there for me earlier.”

  Katie gestured toward a small table on the porch beyond the window. “Want to eat together on the porch? Amanda and Ruthie are going to eat out there too.”

  “That sounds nice.” Jake started toward the kitchen area. “I’ll be out soon.”

  Katie moved to the porch and sank into a chair at a small metal table. She looked back toward the door just as her cousins came out.

  “What a schee day,” Amanda said as she sat across from Katie.

  “Ya,” Ruthie agreed. She sat beside Katie and placed her brown lunch bag on the table.

  Jake reappeared with a lunch bag and two cups of water. He lowered himself into the chair across from Katie and looked around the porch. “This is a nice venue for lunch.” He placed a cup of water in front of Katie and she thanked him.

  “Ya,” Amanda said. “I love eating out here.”

  “I agree.” Katie smiled and then bowed her head in silent prayer. Once she finished her prayer, she opened her lunch box and pulled out lunch meat, cheese, and homemade bread.

  “So about those cookies …” Jake opened his lunch bag. “I think you’ve made me wait long enough.”

  Katie touched her chin. “Hmm. I don’t know.” She pointed toward his ham sandwich. “You need to eat your lunch first,” she teased.

  He raised an eyebrow. “But your grandfather got to try one before he ate his lunch.”

  “Let him have one,” Ruthie said in Jake’s defense as she lifted her sandwich. “He and Daadi have been working hard on those cabinets.”

  “Ya,” Amanda chimed in. “They have.”

  “Fine. Mammi wouldn’t be happy to see me let you start with dessert, but here.” She handed him a cookie. “Enjoy.”

  He took a bite, closed his eyes, and grinned. “Your brother is right. You truly are a good baker.”

  “Danki,” she said.

  “She’s one of the best,” Ruthie said between bites. “I always seem to burn things, but Katie never does.”

  “Appeditlich.” Jake finished the cookie in a few bites.

  Katie shook her head and then bit into her sandwich. “You sound like a true Amish person.”

  “Danki.” He lifted his cup. “I’ve heard the language from my grandparents my whole life. And you know I hear it at work too.”

  “Have you ever been to a church service?” Amanda asked as she bit into her sandwich.

  “I’ve been a few times.”

  “Could you understand the ministers?” Ruthie asked.

  “I didn’t understand every word, but I got the gist of it.” He placed his sandwich on his napkin and took another cookie.

  Katie was curious about Jake’s experience with the Amish culture. “Did you enjoy the service even though it’s different from what you’re used to?” she asked.

  “Yes, I did.” He finished his second cookie. �
�These are too good to waste.”

  “They won’t go to waste,” Amanda said. “I’m going to have to grab some before you finish them all.” She took a few and placed them on her napkin.

  “I’ll try a couple too.” Ruthie took two and broke one in half before biting into it. “These are gut, Katie. They taste a little different than usual. Did you change the recipe?”

  “Ya, I did try something new as an experiment,” Katie said. “I’m working on some new versions of old recipes.”

  “I like this recipe,” Ruthie said. “You did a gut job.”

  Katie took a cookie and bit into it. “Not my best, but not bad either.”

  Jake finished chewing and looked surprised. “So you can do even better?”

  “I think so.” Katie finished the cookie. “I guess creating the perfect recipe is something you always strive for. I guess it’s an analogy for how we live our lives. We’re always trying to improve ourselves and be more like Jesus.”

  “Wow,” Ruthie said. “I’ve never thought of it that way.”

  “I hadn’t either.” Amanda nodded. “I like that.”

  “I do too.” Jake looked impressed. “That’s deep, Katie Kauffman.”

  Katie swatted at him with her hand. “Don’t make fun of me.”

  “I’m not.” He looked serious. “That was a very profound statement.”

  Katie studied him with disbelief. No one had ever called her profound or deep. Jake was different from any boy she’d ever had as a friend.

  “So Jake,” Ruthie said, “tell us about yourself. What did you do over the weekend?”

  Jake rubbed his clean-shaven chin and considered the question. “Let’s see. I cleaned the house, mowed the yard, worked on a project in my garage, and went to church on Sunday.”

  “Really?” Katie pulled an apple from her bag and wondered if all Jake ever did was work. “Did you do anything fun?”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged. “I had dinner at my grandparents’ house Saturday night, and I met my parents at church yesterday. That was pretty fun.” He lifted his sandwich. “How about you, Katie?” he asked.

  “I spent Saturday at mei aenti Rebecca’s helping Lindsay with my cousins.” She pulled out a knife and began slicing the apple.