by Arlene James
Coraline had been right. God had worked it all out. Perfectly.
* * *
Biting into a strawberry cake so sweet that it made her teeth ache, Lily moaned with delight. “Oh, Melissa. This is scrumptious.”
Melissa Sweeney, baker extraordinaire, had brought several small cakes from the bakery next door to the flower shop, so Lily could begin to narrow down her choices for a wedding cake. She and Tate had set a date for the first Friday in October. That gave them just over two months to pull off a wedding that her Boston family, while thrilled, clearly expected to be an embarrassment. Lily knew it was going to be perfect. She, Tate and Isabella were flying to Boston in a week to introduce her future husband and daughter to her family and shop for dresses.
“What’s scrumptious is that ring,” Melissa said, catching Lily’s hand to admire the diamond sparkling on her ring finger.
“Isn’t it something? Tate bought it in Chicago.”
“That man is over the moon for you.”
“Can you believe it?” Lily asked, scrunching her shoulders.
“It’s clearly mutual,” Melissa said with a smile.
“Oh, it is,” Lily admitted dreamily.
Melissa chuckled. “I should’ve been so fortunate with my SOS Committee contact.”
“Who is your contact?”
“Dale Eversleigh.”
Lily dropped her gaze and used a small pink paper napkin to delicately wipe her lips. “Oh.”
Melissa grinned. “Dale is a nice guy.”
“Very nice.”
“In a loud-plaid or solemn-undertaker sort of way.”
Lily couldn’t contain her smile, remembering the day that Tate had insisted that the stout, bewigged mortician had been “hitting on” her. She loved the idea that Tate had been just a teensy bit jealous.
“Especially if you like golf.”
They both giggled, then Melissa said, “Well, I don’t have time for golf—or much of anything else right now. I’ve got to hire some full-time help. The thing is, though, Dale Eversleigh’s take on the individuals on my list of prospective employees is that one is as good as another. Do you think Tate might have a better perspective?”
“He might,” Lily said. “Who’s on the list?”
Melissa reached into her apron pocket and brought out a folded sheet of paper. Lily put aside her cake for the moment in order to go over the list with the baker.
“I know a few of these people,” she said, “but Tate will know them far better, of course.” She pulled over a pad and jotted down the names. When she came to one in particular, she struck a line through it. “I can’t imagine how Brian Montclair’s name got on here,” she said, “but trust me, you don’t want to hire him.”
“What makes you say that?”
“At the reception following the Grand Opening,” Lily told her, “Brian was quite critical of my ‘fancy flowers’ and your ‘girly cakes.’ He called my flower arrangements ‘nuts’ and said that our grants were a waste of funds. Tate said he was just mad because the committee didn’t choose a mechanic’s shop to receive one of the grants, and I can certainly understand that, but I thought Brian was unnecessarily disagreeable about the whole thing, frankly.”
“I can’t imagine that he wants to work for me, then,” Melissa said, folding the list and tucking it away again. “Someone must have made a mistake when they put his name on my list.”
“That would be my guess,” Lily told her.
“Will you let me know if Tate has any insights for me about the others on the list?”
“Right away.”
“Great. Now, there’s one other little question on my mind before we get back to choosing the flavor of your wedding cake.”
“What’s that?”
“Josh Smith has suggested that we newcomers ought to get together, say, once a month, maybe, just to check in with each other, see how things are going with our businesses. There’s even talk of including the SOS Committee. What do you think?”
“Works for me,” Lily said with a decisive nod. “Yes, I like it. Why not?”
“He’s offering the Cozy Cup Cafe after hours as a meeting place.”
“Sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll let everyone else know you’re on board. You’ll speak to Tate about it?”
“Sure.”
“Cool.”
“Back to the fun stuff.” Lily pulled the cake plate forward, turned it, picked up a sweet little bundle of yellow-and-cream goodness and bit into the most divine pineapple cake. “Oooh. You’re making this decision wonderfully difficult, aren’t you?”
Melissa smiled. “Take your time. You can let me know your decision later.”
Lily licked her fingers and reached for a beautiful miniature cake the color of a frosted pumpkin.
“Talk to you later,” Melissa said, waving as she headed out the door of the flower shop.
Lily smiled, pausing a moment to admire the ridiculously large diamond on her finger. Sighing happily, she bit into the most mouthwatering bit of orange cake she’d ever tasted.
Before she could even swallow, the bell over the door jingled, and the most wonderful man in the world ushered the most precious little girl into the shop.
“Hi, Lily!” Isabella all but sang.
With her mouth full, Lily could only wave. She gulped down the cake as Tate slipped past his smiling daughter to lean over the counter and kiss Lily.
“Mmm, sweet,” he said, lifting his head.
Lily chuckled. “If you think that’s sweet, you should taste this.” She shoved a tiny white square decorated with green into his mouth.
“Mint,” he murmured, chewing, but as soon as he swallowed, he kissed her again. “Nope. You’re sweeter.”
Isabella snorted. “Oh, brother.”
He shook a finger at her. “Hey, watch it. You’re the one who wanted me to fall in love and get married again.”
“Yeah, so I could have a mom and a baby sister,” she said, trying not to grin, “but I didn’t know you were gonna get all mushy.”
“Well, get used to it,” he told her, winking at Lily. “I’m officially mush.”
Lily laughed. “I love the two of you.”
Isabella ran around the counter and threw her arms around Lily. “We love you, too. Can I have some cake?”
“Of course.”
She lifted the girl up onto the counter and let her choose her own sample.
Who would have dreamed just a month ago, that she’d be choosing wedding cake today? She’d just agreed to a monthly newcomers’ meeting, but she no longer felt like a newcomer. Bygones was her home, and she would not believe that God had brought her here only to let this wonderful little town die.
No one could ever tell what God would do, of course, but everyone could always trust that it would be for the best. She was living proof of that.
Looking back now, she saw that going to law school had been one of the best things to happen to her. Even if she hoped never to practice law, being forced to endure law school had gone a long way to helping her overcome her shyness. Without that, she’d never have had the courage to apply for the grant that had brought her here to Bygones. She’d never have opened her shop, never have met Tate and Isabella, never have found this love and known this happiness.
Together they would build a good life and fight for this town that they all loved. This was where she and Tate would raise their family. Of course, they didn’t have to start adding to the family right away. They had lots of time.
Meanwhile she knew they could save the town, all working together, the Committee, the new business owners, the townsfolk. So long as they kept depending on God and each other, they could rescue this lovely place and its sweet way of life. The future might seem a bit uncertain still, but from where Lily stood, it looked bright.
She took Tate’s hand with her right and slipped her left one over Isabella’s bright curls, the diamond in her engagement ring sparkling in the light.
>
Yes, the future looked very bright, indeed.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Plain Admirer by Patricia Davids
Dear Reader,
Not long ago, my husband and I made a big move from the DFW Metroplex in Texas, where we lived for 33 years, to the scenic Ozarks of northwest Arkansas. Happily, I have experience on the other end of the spectrum, too, as I was blessed to grow up in the small town of Comanche, Oklahoma.
Big cities have much to recommend them: so much to see and do, so many conveniences! But nothing can replace the community spirit of small-town life. I firmly believe that people are people the world over, but small-town folk always have time for one another. They turn out for every occasion, and they’re quick to spread hugs and laughter.
Lily hoped to find that sense of community in Bygones, and I think she did. I hope you experienced it through her eyes and that you’ll visit again and again.
God bless,
Questions for Discussion
Today, many communities find themselves in the position of Bygones, Kansas. What do you think of the solution with which Bygones was presented?
Lily made a big transition, moving from the large cosmopolitan area of Boston to a small town in Kansas. How difficult do you suppose such a transition would be in real life? Why?
Coraline Connolly is a woman of unusual faith and wisdom. A widow, dedicated to her calling as an educator, she possesses an uncommon insight into human behavior. Have you ever known a real person with such attributes? If so, who, and how did that person impact your life?
Shyness can be a great handicap. The extroverts among us may not understand how shyness affects interaction. Are you shy? Can you help others understand?
Lily was inspired by items that she found in Miss Mars’s junk room behind the This ‘N’ That. To some, junk is just junk. To the creative, however, it may be a work of art. What inspires you?
After losing Eve so tragically, Tate tried hard not to be attracted to Lily or any woman, but his upbringing worked against him. He couldn’t leave a newcomer alone on a holiday, after all. Why did his blunt explanation about Eve and his decision never to marry again fail to protect him from involvement with Lily? Why does talking about our feelings open us to involvement?
The Grand Opening was a great success; so why were so many of the townsfolk skeptical of the plan to save the city? Why are we so often afraid to hope?
Tate’s attraction to Lily grew when he recognized her great creativity. Why is creativity an attractive quality?
Tate felt that Lily should hire Kenneth Wilbur to work in her shop because Kenneth’s need was greater than that of Sherie, whom Lily did hire. Do you think Tate was right? Why or why not?
Lily was heartbroken to learn that Tate had refused to attend church out of anger at God after the death of his beloved wife. Have you ever been angry at God? What did you do about it?
Anger and fear often walk hand in hand; yet even after Tate’s anger over his wife’s death had softened, his fear of suffering a similar loss remained and even grew after he came to care for Lily. How does one conquer fear?
The Wilburs were in great financial distress. The community garden helped them and others, and it also helped bring the town together for a common cause. Why is that important in times of social and financial stress? Is your community experiencing such stress? Have you taken steps to bring your community together? If so, what were they?
Tate finally found the strength to let go of his late wife’s memory after his daughter pointed out how happy her mom must be in Heaven, and he found the strength to return to church after Isabella made a birthday “wish” or prayer for him to do so. Has someone else ever given you the impetus or strength to do what you knew you should?
Lily had come to Bygones to get away from what she saw as the failures of her past. She’d allowed herself to be coerced into training for an occupation for which she had zero affinity. She’d never had a serious boyfriend but had instead built imaginary relationships with men who didn’t even know she existed. She’d struggled with envy toward her more outgoing and accomplished sister. Nevertheless, she stayed true to herself and hung on to her faith, and God rewarded her for that with true love. Does that seem right and reasonable to you? Why or why not?
Tate feared losing Lily in the same way that he’d lost Eve, only to realize that he’d lost Lily by driving her away with his unreasonable fear. He concluded that the only way to have Lily was to let go of his fear. What might you have if you could let go of your fear?
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Chapter One
“This isn’t easy to say, but I have to let you go, Joann. I’m sure you understand.”
“You’re firing me?” Joann Yoder faced her boss across the cluttered desk in his office. For once, she wasn’t tempted to straighten up for him. And she didn’t understand.
“Ja. I’m sorry.”
Otis Miller didn’t look the least bit sorry. Certainly not as sorry as she was to be losing a job she really needed. A job she loved. Why was this happening? Why now, when she was so close to realizing her dream?
She’d only been at Miller Press for five months, but working as an assistant editor and office manager at the Amish-owned publishing house was everything she’d ever wanted. How could it end so quickly? If she knew what she had done wrong, she could fix it. “At least tell me why.”
He sighed heavily, as if disappointed she hadn’t accepted her dismissal without question. “You knew when you came over from the bookstore that this might not be a permanent position.”
Joann had moved from a part-time job at the bookstore next door to help at the printing shop after Otis’s elder brother suffered a heart attack. When he passed away a few weeks later, Joann had assumed she would be able to keep his job. She loved gathering articles for their monthly magazine and weekly newspaper, as well as making sure the office ran smoothly and customers received the best possible attention. She dropped her gaze to her hands clenched tightly in her lap and struggled to hang on to her dignity. Tears pricked the back of her eyelids, but she refused to cry. “You told me I was doing a good job.”
“You have been. Better than I expected, but I’m giving Roman Weaver your position. I don’t need to tell you why.”
“Nee, you don’t.” Like everyone in the Amish community of Hope Springs, Ohio, she was aware of the trouble that had visited the Weaver family. She hated that her compassion struggled so mightily with her desire to support herself. This job was proof that her intelligence mattered. She might be the “bookworm” her brothers had often called her, but here she had a chance to put her learning to good use. Now it was all being taken away.
She couldn’t let it go without a fight. She looked up and blurted, “Does he really need the job more than I do?”
Otis didn’t like conflict. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his broad chest. “Roman has large medical bills to pay.”
“But the church held an auction to help raise money for him.”
“He and his family are grateful for all the help they received, but they are still struggling.”
She’d lost, and she knew it. Only a hint of the bitterness she felt slipped through in her words. “Plus, he’s your nephew.”
“That, too,” Otis admitted with
out any sign of embarrassment. Family came only after God in their Amish way of life.
Roman Weaver had had it rough, there was no denying that. It was a blessing that he hadn’t lost his arm after a pickup truck smashed into his buggy. Unfortunately, his damaged left arm was now paralyzed and useless. She’d seen him at the church meetings wearing a heavy sling and heard her brothers say the physical therapy he needed was expensive and draining his family’s resources.
Her heart went out to him and his family, but why should she be the one to lose her job? There were others who worked for Miller Press.
She didn’t bother to voice that thought. She already knew why she had been chosen. Because she was a woman.
Joann had no illusions about the male-dominated society she lived in. Unmarried Amish women could hold a job, but they gave it up when they married to make a home for their husband and children. A married woman could work outside the home, but only if her husband agreed to it.
Amish marriage was a partnership where each man and woman knew and respected their roles within the Ordnung, the laws of their Amish church. Men were the head of the household. Joann didn’t disagree with any of it. At least, not very much.
It was just that she had no desire to spend the rest of her life living with her brothers, moving from one house to another and being an unwanted burden to their families. She’d never had a come-calling boyfriend, although she’d accepted a ride home from the singings with a few fellas in her youth. She’d never received an offer of marriage. And at the advanced age of twenty-six, it wasn’t likely she would.
Besides, there wasn’t anyone in Hope Springs she would consider spending the rest of her life with. As the years had gone by, she’d begun to accept that she would always be a maiden aunt. Maybe she’d get a cat one day.
Otis folded his hands together on his desk. “I am sorry, Joann. Roman needs the job. He can’t work in the sawmill with only one good arm. It’s too dangerous.”
“I must work, too. My brothers have many children. I don’t wish to burden them by having them take care of me, as well.”