Mellie shook her head. “Breakfast is not quite ready, Eli. Give us a few minutes.”
Ruthie, Mellie, and Faith got busy with breakfast preparations, and the boys went out to the barn. The rest of the morning played out like every morning had played out for days. Things were back to normal until more was found out.
Two hours later, Mellie was in her sweet shop organizing her freshly baked goods. She heard a car pull up outside and gave a satisfied smile. Her first Englisch customer of the day, and she’d barely opened.
“Morning, Mellie,” Mrs. Owens said, entering the shop.
“Morning, Mrs. Owens.” Mellie nodded at one of her favorite regulars. The Owens could be counted on to stop by at least twice a week. Her snickerdoodles were their favorite. “Mr. Owens with you today?”
Mrs. Owens shook her head, her gray curls bobbing against her neck. “Nope. I gave him a list this morning.” She laughed heartily. “It’s a long one, too. That man needs to start pulling his weight around the house.”
Mellie laughed with her. Mrs. Owens was famous for the lists of chores she made for her husband, always going on and on about them to Mellie. Since Mr. Owens had retired, Mrs. Owens shared that it was her sacred duty to keep her husband busy so he wouldn’t “drop dead of boredom” like other retired men.
“He’s finally going to make them planters for my back windows.” She leaned closer to Mellie. “I’ve been wanting ’em for five years, honey. Five years, not months, not weeks, not days.” Again, she laughed. “Where are your snickerdoodles, Mellie? I don’t see them out here.”
Mellie reached under the counter and pulled out a neatly wrapped package of two dozen cookies. “I didn’t have time to make very many, so I held these back for you.”
“Ah, Mellie. You’re the sweetest thing.” Mrs. Owens plopped her purse on the counter and proceeded to dig through it. She pulled out her wallet and extracted some cash. “Here you go, dearie.”
Mellie took the money and tucked it into the cash box.
“Anything new on the horizon?” Mrs. Owens asked her.
“Nee. Nothing new,” Mellie answered, then realized that her sister missing would definitely qualify as something new.
“I guess I better get back to the ol’ homestead,” Mrs. Owens said with a twinkle. “Got to check up on Ralph, you know. Someone has to.”
She gave Mellie a wave and left the shop to the tinkle of the bell over the door. Mellie had been certain Mrs. Owens was going to come that morning. She was glad she’d put the snickerdoodles aside. She knew Mrs. Owens liked special consideration. But then, Mellie mused, didn’t most people?
She heard another car and was mildly surprised to see Elizabeth Grover enter the store. She was the wife of the Mennonite van driver Mellie’s family used for longer trips. She’d never known the woman to come to her shop.
“Gut morning, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth pulled her sweater about her shoulders a little more snugly, though the morning was warm. “Not here to buy any sweets,” she said. “I have a message for you.”
Mellie’s brow creased. “Jah?”
“From your sister, Beth.”
Mellie’s heart flip-flopped, and she stepped from behind the counter. “What is it?”
“She drove over in the cart this morning. Now why that girl didn’t have Isaac pick her up at your house is beyond me. Then she told me that she forget to leave a note.” Elizabeth frowned. “Which again, doesn’t make no sense. She’d arranged the trip with Isaac beforehand, so wouldn’t all of you already know?”
Mellie’s throat went dry.
“Anyway, she asked that I stop by and tell you that she’ll be back this evening and not to worry.” Elizabeth peered at Mellie with narrowed eyes. “You weren’t worried, were you? The girl asked Isaac to drive her over to Meadow Lark. He’s staying there until she needs a ride back home.”
Meadow Lark. So Beth was pursuing the teaching position. Was Beth planning to move away? And what about Caleb?
“Well?” Elizabeth said. “Don’t you agree?”
Mellie gave a start. “What? I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
“I said it seems like mighty odd behavior to me.”
Mellie walked back around the counter, giving herself a second to digest the news. “Thank you so much for taking the time to deliver Beth’s message.” Mellie’s smile was pleasant. “I’d like to give you some rolls as a thank you.” The smile remained glued to Mellie’s face.
“What? Oh no, that’s not necessary.” Elizabeth waved her hand, and her sweater slipped off her shoulder. She fussed with it and brought it back snugly to her neck. “Glad to be of help. You tell your mother hello for me, would you?”
“Jah. Thanks again.”
Elizabeth slipped out, and Mellie stood completely still. Beth wants to be the teacher in Meadow Lark. Mellie put her hands on the counter and took a long slow breath. Why hadn’t she just told them?
Was she afraid Dan might say no? Was that it?
Mellie put her cash box under the counter and hurried out of the shop. She took a moment to secure the door and then she flew over the yard to the big house. She burst through the front door and found Faith in the kitchen.
“Beth’s in Meadow Lark,” she blurted.
“What?” Faith turned to her. “Meadow Lark?”
“I think she wants to be the teacher there.”
“What?” Faith stared at her.
“The main thing is that she’s fine,” Mellie said. “I need to tell Dan and the boys. Will you tell Ruthie?”
Faith grimaced but nodded. “I still don’t understand,” she said.
But Mellie was already out the door. She planned to tell Dan and then figure out a way to tell Caleb. She didn’t dare go to his house again. She’d been lucky once that day. It wouldn’t be seemly at all if she was seen hanging about hoping to speak with him. And she would be seen easily now, considering it was pure daylight. Dan was in the barn, and she gave him Beth’s message.
“She wants to move to Meadow Lark?” he asked, his brows raised.
“I don’t know for sure,” Mellie answered. “She’ll be back today.”
“I thought she was sweet on Caleb Glick. How’s that going to work?”
Mellie shook her head. “I don’t know. She’ll tell us when she gets back.”
Mellie left him standing there with his mouth pressed into a tight line. She scurried back to her shop, her mind whirling to come up with a plan to tell Caleb. She entered her shop and no sooner had she settled behind the counter than Caleb himself showed up.
“I’m sorry to be a bother.” He approached her. “But I’m worried. Have you found out anything?”
Mellie stood, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She dreaded telling him the news.
“Mellie?”
She took a deep breath. “Jah. Our van driver’s wife came in. You know, Elizabeth Grover. Beth went to Meadow Lark, like you suspected.”
Caleb didn’t move. His face went pale, and his eyes glazed over.
“Caleb?” Mellie went to stand before him.
He shuddered and focused on her. He gave her a tremulous smile. “Gut. That’s gut. She’s safe then.”
“Jah, she’s safe. She’s coming back later today.”
He nodded. “Gut. That’s gut,” he repeated.
Mellie felt sick to her stomach for him. The ramifications of Beth’s trip weren’t lost on either of them.
“I’m sorry,” Mellie whispered. How she wanted to take his hand and hold it. How she wanted to lean against his shoulder and share his sorrow.
“So, then.” He took a huge breath. “She’ll likely be moving away.”
Mellie bit her lip and nodded.
“She’ll be chosen as teacher,” he said. “She’s smart and eager. She’ll make a right fine teacher.”
“That she will,” Mellie agreed.
He stumbled back toward the door. “Tell her I stopped by, would you, Mellie?�
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She rushed past him to open the door for him. The bell sounded hollow as it echoed through the shop. “I will.”
Caleb took a step through the doorway and paused, looking back at her. “Thank you.” He gave her a long gaze and then turned and left.
Mellie shut the door. She peered through the window and watched him leave. He walked slowly, heavily, as if carrying bales of hay on his back. How could Beth even entertain the notion of leaving him? He was so wonderful. So kind and gentle. Funny when he wanted to be. How could Beth leave him?
How could she break his heart?
Beth drove the pony cart into the drive at seven o’clock that evening. Mellie was on the porch waiting for her. When she appeared, Mellie jumped up and flew across the yard to greet her.
“Beth?”
Beth gave her a look of pure joy. “It’s done, Mellie. I’m to be their new teacher.”
“Meadow Lark?”
Beth tucked the reins to her side. “Jah. Meadow Lark. It’s lovely there.”
As far as Mellie was concerned, Meadow Lark didn’t look any different than Hollybrook. “I see.”
“I’ll be boarding with the Millers. They’re a right nice family. Seven children. Four of them are still in school. Won’t that be fun? Boarding with my very own students?” There was a dreamy look in her eyes, and Mellie became so frustrated that she had to squelch a sudden urge to shake her.
Beth’s animation faded, and she looked solemnly at Mellie. “I’m sorry. I should have told you right away what I was doing.”
“It would have saved us all worry.”
“It’s just that… Well, I thought that Dan might…” She sighed and put her hand on Mellie’s arm. “Is everyone angry with me?”
“We were worried, Beth. You shouldn’t have gone away like that.”
“But I asked the driver’s wife…”
“Jah, and thank you for that. But before then, we didn’t know anything. I even went to Caleb’s…”
At the mention of Caleb, all the color drained from Beth’s face. Her lower lip quivered. “Does he know? Where I went, I mean.”
“He knows.”
“What did he say?”
Indignation surged through Mellie. “You should talk to him yourself.”
“You like him.” Beth leveled a steady gaze at her.
Mellie stepped back. “What? He’s your beau!”
“I know that. But, you’re sweet on him. I’d have to be blind and stupid not to notice it.”
Mellie’s face flushed hot. “But Beth—”
Beth raised her hand. “You don’t have to say anything. You don’t even have to apologize. It’s the truth, plain and simple.”
“But Beth—”
Beth picked up the reins again. “I want to teach. There’s no way I can teach and marry Caleb. I’d be in the family way within months, I just know it. Then I couldn’t be a teacher anymore.”
Beth was right. She couldn’t teach anymore if she was expecting.
“Besides, you like him more than I do,” Beth said. “And he likes you. He just doesn’t realize it yet.”
Mellie gasped softly. How could Beth possibly know such a thing? And Beth hadn’t seen the look on Caleb’s face when he learned she was gone.
Beth laid her hand against her throat and glanced around the property. “I’ll miss it here. But Dan doesn’t have to worry. Whatever wages I have left after my room and board, I’ll send back.”
“Dan won’t expect that.”
“Ruthie will. And I won’t be responsible for her ire.” Beth slapped the reins on the pony’s back and continued to the barn. Mellie jogged beside her.
When Beth stopped at the gaping doors, Mellie stepped close. “I think it’s fine,” she said. “What you’re doing.”
Beth looked at her with tears in her eyes. “Do you, Beth? Do you?”
“It’s what you want to do. And you’ll be a good teacher.”
Beth nodded. “I will.”
To anyone else, Beth’s comment might have smacked of vanity, but Mellie knew what her sister meant. Beth would be a good teacher because she’d put every bit of her love and energy into it.
“About Caleb…” Beth said.
Mellie stiffened.
“He won’t mope for long. And don’t ask me how I know. I just do.” She gave her sister a look heavy with meaning. “And you’ll be there when he gets over me.”
Mellie exhaled slowly.
Beth took Mellie’s arm. “You’re much better suited for him than I am anyway. He’ll come to understand that.”
Mellie felt a stirring in her chest. How she hoped, no, how she prayed her sister might be right.
“I’ll talk to him,” Beth said.
“Ach! Not about me!” Mellie cried, alarmed.
“Nee, not about you. About me. I’ll call it off.”
“He already knows.”
Beth lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked back up at Mellie. “I’m sure he does. Still, it’s the right thing for me to talk to him. He’s a fine person, Mellie.”
“I know that.” Mellie pressed her hands to her chest, and her heart beat erratically at everything that was happening. Beth was leaving. And Caleb would be free. She sucked in her breath and chided herself.
Caleb being free didn’t guarantee one single thing.
Within three weeks, Beth was gone. Mellie sat on her bed and stared at the emptiness around her. Beth didn’t have a lot of belongings, but with them cleared out, the room looked positively cavernous. Mellie was grateful that Faith had moved in when Dan and Ruthie had arrived. Strange … the room had always held just the two sisters until recently, but now, going back to two after the three of them had been together, made the room look huge.
Mellie’s eyes welled with tears. Truth was, she missed Beth. She got along with Faith just fine, but Beth had always been her closest sister. And now, without Beth, Mellie felt as if part of her very soul was missing.
She shook her head and scolded herself. Such stuff and nonsense. She rose and re-pinned her kapp securely over her bun. Enough moping around. She needed to get to her sweet shop and open for business. Otherwise, her customers wouldn’t be able to count on her and would stop coming.
She picked up the small hand mirror on the dresser and looked at herself. Her face was pale, and her features were drawn. This wouldn’t do. Beth was gone, and the sooner she got used to it, the better. She licked her lips and put on a brave smile. Then she set the mirror down and hurried from the room. Walking downstairs and through the house, she heard Ruthie instructing Faith on the proper way to cut in lard when making biscuits. Mellie cringed. Faith knew good and well how to make fluffy biscuits—she didn’t need a bossy sister-in-law to teach her. Truth be known, Faith had often baked biscuits to be sold in the sweet shop.
Mellie hurried from the house and hustled down the drive to her shop. She opened the door and went inside, rearranging the baked goods she’d brought down earlier that morning. She ignored the sadness hovering over her and focused completely on the tasks at hand. She prayed for a lot of customers that day. With a lot of business, there wouldn’t be any time to ponder how many things in her life had changed over the last month or so.
The bell tinkled, and she looked up. When she saw who it was, her throat constricted. Caleb walked to the counter.
“Mamm sent me for some of your apple bread,” he said.
Mellie stood still. She knew full well that Bertha Glick made fine apple bread herself. It made no sense that she would be sending Caleb to purchase any.
“It’s over here,” Mellie said, pointing.
Caleb took a long stride and stood in front of the apple bread. He stared at it as if he expected the loaves to move or perform or speak to him. Mellie frowned.
Finally, he said, “It’s not true. Mamm didn’t send me at all.” He looked at her, and she saw the hesitation in his eyes. “I really came by to see how you’re doing.”
Mellie blew out h
er breath. “I’m doing fine. Missing Beth.” She surprised herself by mentioning Beth’s name. But in a flash, she realized why. She was testing the waters. Checking to see Caleb’s reaction.
“I know you do.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I know.”
Mellie moved closer. “I’m sorry, Caleb.”
He inhaled deeply and gazed at her. “No need to feel sorry. Beth is happy. That’s what matters.”
His enthusiasm did not quite reach his eyes. Mellie watched him, wishing with all her heart that Caleb was free of his tie with Beth.
And then he did something that shocked her down to her core. He touched her elbow. That was all. One small touch. It was so unexpected that she nearly stumbled backward against the shelf. But she didn’t. She stayed entirely, completely still and gazed up at him. He kept his fingers on her for at least five seconds, and she felt his warmth flow through her. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and looked into his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes flecked with gold.
He dropped his hand from her arm, but he held her gaze. And that was when she saw it. She wasn’t so foolish as to think he was declaring anything to her, but she saw his willingness. He had reached out to her. He had made a connection.
His gaze flickered, and he stepped back. He nodded, such a small movement, it was barely perceptible. But Mellie saw it, and she clung to it. He broke their eye contact then and moved to the door. He opened it, paused, and took a large sweeping breath. He stepped outside, and the door clinked shut behind him.
As she always did, Mellie stepped quickly to the window and watched him depart. She might have been mistaken, but she thought she detected a new lightness in his step. Not much, mind you. Only the barest hint.
He stopped walking and looked back to the shop. Mellie was going to duck behind the curtains so he wouldn’t see her watching him, but she wasn’t fast enough. Their eyes met once again and their gazes held.
Mellie could hardly breathe. He raised his hand in a wave, and she raised her hand, too. Even through the window glass, she could feel the charge in the air between them. He tipped his head. And then with a small half-smile, he continued down the road.
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 6