The Amish Baker's Rival

by Marie E. Bast

  The buggy swayed, the door flopped open and a cracking noise filled Mary’s ears before something very, very hard hit her...

  * * *

  Noah trudged up the stairs wiping rain from his face and following Emily to their living quarters. As usual, Jenny was prompt. The table was set, a chicken vegetable casserole and Dutch slaw sat waiting in the middle while she poured lemonade.

  “Sit—” Jenny gestured toward the chairs “—before the bread dries out.” She placed the lemonade on the table and sat before Noah said the blessing.

  He watched Jenny dish casserole onto Emily’s plate and reach for his. “Oh, no! Don’t fill my plate yet.” He jumped from his chair.

  “What’s wrong?” Jenny’s hand clutched her throat.

  “I forgot to tell Mary to ask her mamm if she knew our grandparents, and if so, where they lived. I’ll just run over there and be right back.”

  He ran down the stairs, snatched his hat on the way out the door, dashed across the street and shoved the bakery door open.

  Amanda jumped back from the counter. “Ach, you scared me.”

  “Sorry. Can I talk to Mary?”

  “It looked bad out, so she hitched King and headed home.”

  “She didn’t wait it out here?”

  “Nein. She thought the rain looked like it was in for all night, so she wanted to try to get home before it started. I told her I’d lock up since daed is picking me up, and we only live on the edge of town.”

  The storm sirens roared to life again. Noah looked at Amanda. “That’s the second time tonight they’ve gone off.”

  She nodded. “Now you have me worried about Mary, but she only lives three miles away. Maybe she made it home. It would only take a few minutes.”

  “Can you tell me where she lives? I want to make sure she got home.”

  “Well...” she glanced toward the window “...okay.”

  Amanda rattled off the directions. He nodded, tore out of the bakery and headed to the alley where he parked his SUV.

  Noah’s hand was shaking as he put the vehicle in gear. If she wasn’t stranded along the side of the road, should he pull in her driveway and knock on the door to make sure she’d made it home? But if her dad answered the door, would he wonder why an Englischer was there to see Mary? He wouldn’t want to get her into any trouble. Yet he had to make sure she was safe. And maybe he could meet her mamm and ask if she knew his family.

  He turned off the asphalt onto the gravel road. A triangle reflector, the kind on the backs of Amish buggies, caught his eye, and then he saw the buggy lying in the ditch. Nearby, a horse was trying to get up from the ground.

  Noah parked just off the road, grabbed his flashlight out of the glove box, said a prayer and hurried to the accident. He swept the light back and forth. “Mary?”

  The knot in his throat made it hard to swallow, and his stomach wanted to heave. The buggy’s axle looked like it was broken and a wheel had slid off. “Mary, are you here?” The buggy door was open.

  He listened. The horse raised his head and whinnied.

  He had to find Mary. He flashed the beam all around on the ground. Carefully, he lifted the wheel and the beam danced across her white apron. He quickly set the wheel off to the side, clear of Mary.

  She moved her head slowly and moaned. Water dripped off her cheek as Noah knelt next to her. “Are you hurt?”

  “No,” she said softly. “Nothing is broken. When the buggy veered into the ditch, the door unlatched. I fell out. I guess I got the wind knocked out of me when I hit the ground or when the wheel hit me.”

  “If you can walk, I’ll put you in my SUV and take you to your farm.”

  She huffed out an exasperated breath. “Nein, I’ll wait here. I’m sure Daed will be along shortly looking for me.”

  “I’m not leaving you out here in the storm. I’ll take you home.” He grasped her by the shoulders and pulled her up. “How do you feel?”

  “A little dizzy, but I can walk.”

  Slipping an arm around her waist, he helped her onto the seat as her long, wet dress snagged on the door handle. He untangled the material and ran around to the driver’s side. “Long dresses are a nuisance, why do you wear them?”

  “It’s a mile down this road,” she said, “first place on the right.”

  He started the vehicle. “I’ll have you home in a few minutes.”

  “Why are you out here in the country?”

  He glanced her way. “I was concerned about you driving in this weather.”

  She nodded. “You asked why I wear a long dress. To be Amish means to practice the Amish ways at all times. We live our lives according to the Ordnung, which is the application of scriptural principles. It’s the rules we live by, dress by and carry out Gott’s will for our lives. Some Englisch have tried to join our church, but many have trouble living according to what Scripture instructs.”

  Noah raised a brow. “I’m not sure I could do it either.” He turned into the driveway and parked by the house. “I’ll help you out.”

  She opened the door but waited until he got there. He slid his arm around her waist and steadied her as she walked to the house. Her mamm and daed flew out the door onto the porch and helped Mary into the kitchen.

  “What happened, where is your buggy and King?” her daed asked, moving his attention from Mary to scan Noah with a scrutinizing gaze.

  Mary sat on the chair that her bruder had pulled away from the table. “King was spooked by the lightning and thunder, and I couldn’t get him to slow down. He took the turn onto the gravel road too fast, the buggy slid in the ditch, the axle broke and the wheel fell off. King wasn’t hurt. Noah came along in his SUV, found me and brought me home. This is Noah Miller.” She nodded in his direction. “This is my stiefmutter Sarah, my daed Caleb, my bruder Jacob, and this is my munchkin four-year-old bruder Michael Paul. And my boppli one-year-old twin sisters are probably in bed.”

  “I’m not a munchkin, sis,” Michael protested. “I’m big. I help Daed with chores and milking.” He wrapped his hands through his suspenders and stretched them.

  “Mamm, Noah is the new store owner, well, him and his two sisters Jenny and Emily.” She paused and rubbed her shoulder. “He’s trying to find their grandparents. His daed was Jeremiah Miller and his mamm was Naomi Knepp.”

  Sarah glanced at Noah. “Jah, I knew your mamm and daed. I was sorry to see them leave. Jeremiah’s parents are Anna and Thomas Miller. Your father’s bruders are Cyrus and Jonah, and he has a schwester, Judith. Your mamm’s parents were Enos and Susan Knepp, but they have passed on. They had two other children, Carl and Lydia.”

  Caleb motioned to his son. “Jacob, we better go see to King and the buggy. We need to at least get him home.”

  “I can help you, Caleb.” Noah started toward the door.

  “Danki, but Jacob and I can manage the horse. If the axle is broken, we’ll wait until the morgen to fix that.”

  Sarah nodded. “Danki for bringing Mary home.” Her voice held a cool air as if it was a strange thing to say to an Englischer.

  “Danki for helping me home, Noah.” Mary slumped back in the chair, her eyelids almost closed.

  They were polite, but it was a cool welcome. Jah, he got the hint. They were as uncomfortable with an Englischer in their haus as he was to be there. It was unlikely he’d be asked back. He touched the brim of his hat and nodded to Mary and her mother. He opened the screen door, stepped onto the porch, but the stiff spring banged the door close. Yeah, he got it. They closed the door between him and Mary.

  Chapter Five

  Mary stared out the kitchen window into the rainy evening until Noah drove out of sight. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at the thought of his warm amber eyes. He had a charming way about him. But he was chasing the same prize she was, and there could only be one winner.
>
  “How did he happen along in the rain to help you home? Doesn’t he live in town?” Her stiefmutter startled Mary out of her muse.

  “Amanda told him I had headed home. We talk occasionally. Since it was storming, he thought he’d better make sure I’d arrived safely.”

  Sarah raised a brow. “Noah’s grossdaddi Thomas is a quiet man, and it hurt him deeply when Jeremiah and Naomi left and never came back. I’ve been told Thomas is strict and doesn’t mingle with the Englisch, so I’m not sure how he’ll accept Noah and his sisters.”

  Mary moved her sore shoulder and winced. “If he doesn’t want to be part of their lives, that’ll hurt Noah’s feelings. I don’t know Thomas well, but his frau, Anna, is very nice.” Mary cast a long look at the door Noah had gone through. She was almost sorry they were in competition for the same prize. But the fact remained...they were.

  “Mamm, I need a recipe that’ll charm the judges’ taste buds. Old Bishop Ropp was in the bakery the other day and talked about an apple pie recipe that your daed made. He said he’d drive five miles for a piece. Do you remember the recipe?”

  “Nein, but after supper, I’ll dig in the boxes of stuff in storage and see if I can find his recipe book.”

  When the last clean dish sat in the cupboard, Mary followed Sarah to the attic. She dug in one box while Mamm unloaded another old carton but nothing turned up resembling a recipe book.

  “I’m going back to the bakery tomorrow. I’ll search through the recipe books there again. One of them has to be it.”

  “Nein, Mary, you should rest at least a couple of days after your accident.”

  “Mamm, I’m fine. I can’t leave Amanda alone to do all the baking.”

  The truth was...she also wanted to see Noah.

  * * *

  Wednesday morning, Mary hurried around Sweet Delights packing three cartons with pastries, breads and cookies. She carted them to her buggy, or rather Mamm’s buggy since hers wasn’t fixed yet. She and Amanda had worked hard getting the food ready to contribute to today’s barn raising. News had quickly spread that Noah’s grossdaddi’s barn had burned to the ground after a lightning strike. But the Plain folk would have a new one built in no time.

  From barn-raising flyers posted everywhere, Noah would probably be there too. And she liked the idea of seeing him again. His tall, broad-shouldered frame and amber eyes flashed through her brain. Jah, he was sure cute.

  After the four-mile trip, Mary turned King up Thomas Miller’s drive and parked at the end of the long row of buggies. Glancing around the barnyard, there must have been a hundred men working who had already raised the outer four walls. Some men were sawing lumber, others nailing while the young climbed to the top of the structure. Ladders, hammers and saws were all busy.

  Jah, she’d better hurry, the men would be hungry and thirsty after all that hard work.

  The women were gathering in the yard at the long tables they used for the Sunday common meal and were setting out food. Mary carried her cartons across the yard to the tables and set them at one end. She laid out her pastries, breads and desserts, then noticed a group of women gathering at the other end of the table. Friends and women she hadn’t seen in a while were talking and no doubt sharing their news and gossip.

  Anna Miller, Thomas’s frau, walked out onto the porch, glanced Mary’s way and gave her a wave. She handed a tablecloth to a woman on the porch then disappeared back into the haus. Mary quickened her pace, caught up with Anna in her kitchen and smothered her in a hug. “Slow down, Anna, and don’t work so hard. We are all here to help you.”

  Anna stepped back and drew a deep breath. “Danki for bringing all the rolls and bread, but there is a lot to do. Would you mind taking this tub out to the table for the dirty dishes?”

  “Of course.” Mary set it at one end of the table where they had the plates, glasses and beverages. She wandered toward the other end where the women were gathering and noticed that something had their attention.

  Mary weaved around a few women and gasped. Noah! He had brought breakfast and lunch sandwiches from his store, along with delicious-looking coffee cake, rolls, fresh salads and jugs of beverages with his logo. And he was handing out plates of deli food and telling everyone to visit his store. He had his nerve. Heat rose up Mary’s neck and burned on her cheeks.

  Mamm set a pie on the table, wrapped her arm around Mary and drew her close. “Your pastries look wunderbaar.”

  Daed approached wearing a supportive smile. “Your red face is noticeable.” His gaze bounced from Noah back to her. “This is the first time that many of the Plain folks have probably tried his food. They only want to try something new. Your baking is gut. Quit worrying, honig.”

  She glanced skyward, counted to three. “He’s going to steal all of Sweet Delights’ business.”

  “Nein, sweetie.” Mamm shook her head. “You’ll win the baking contest then your bakery will be filled with customers.”

  Mary swallowed her next words. Lord, forgive me for my jealousy.

  Daed patted her arm. “I’ve got to get back to work.” He grabbed a breakfast biscuit and a fruit jar filled with water and headed toward the barn.

  As the morning slowly crawled on, Mary’s baked goods disappeared. Jah, the Lord answered her prayer and gave her a gut lesson. She would have to learn to get along with Noah. Kalona was a small town, and her family’s bakery would have to survive on a smaller income, or she’d have to figure out how to expand, that was for sure and for certain.

  After lunch, while she cleaned the table, she noticed Anna and Thomas Miller and their family walking around thanking the workers. They stopped next to her and Thomas cleared a tear-choked throat. “Danki for bringing all the wunderbaar food, Mary. We appreciate all the time you and Amanda donated to making it all.”

  “We were glad to do it.” Mary glanced at the other end of the table. “Have you all met Noah Miller?” They shook their heads, but no one had a surprised look on their face. “I’ll introduce you.”

  Noah looked up from unpacking a box as she led the small parade to his side. He gave a nod in greeting.

  Mary gestured. “This is Noah Miller. Noah—” she motioned as she introduced each one “—these are your grosseldre, Thomas and Anna Miller, your Onkel Cyrus and his frau, Lois, and their son John, and your Aent Judith.”

  She stepped back while Noah told his family about his business and his sisters. But Mary could see the uneasiness in Thomas and Cyrus as they fidgeted with their straw hats and suspenders and looked around at the crowd that was still milling around the tables glancing over at them. Their Plain community was no doubt wondering if they were going to accept their long-lost son’s family. This was big news! But she could tell by their stiff posture and stoic faces, it would be a slow process for Thomas and his family to accept Noah, if they ever did.

  Cyrus abruptly nodded. “Danki for coming.” His eyes darted to the men working on the barn, then back. “But we must get back to work.” He turned and walked away, his frau following.

  Thomas attempted a weak smile at Mary. “Your food was gut. Danki for coming.” He turned to Noah. “Danki for all the gut breakfast sandwiches and food you brought.” Thomas moseyed across the yard in the direction of the new barn.

  Anna patted Noah’s arm and smiled before heading toward the haus.

  Mary watched Noah’s brow furrow and a sad puppy dog expression cover his eyes. Her heart sank to the bottom of her feet. His whole family as much as rejected him, and earlier she begrudged him the right to bring his food and hand it out.

  Aent Judith stepped closer to Noah as her family dispersed. “They’ll come around, give them time. You look like your daed.” She smiled. “Jeremiah was handsome, too.”

  Noah shrugged with a heightened color in his cheeks. “I knew when I drove out here to granddad’s farm that my parents had left the community during their
rumspringa, got married and never went home again. There are bound to be hard feelings.”

  “Is that all your vater told you? They left during rumspringa?” Judith sounded surprised.

  “Pretty much. Dad said they didn’t want to follow the strict church rules and have the community run their lives.”

  “Really, that was what he said?” Judith huffed as if exasperated.

  Noah nodded.

  “Did your daed tell you that he was helping our vater shingle the roof of the barn? When they ran short of shingles, Jeremiah rode to town to get another bundle. While he was gone, Daed fell off the roof and lay on the ground for hours before anyone found him. Cyrus believes that Daed limps because he didn’t get medical attention soon enough.”

  Noah gasped. “Nein, he never said anything like that.”

  “When my husband was alive,” Judith continued, “we went to see Jeremiah. I asked him to come back to the community, but he refused. He said he didn’t feel worthy to be Amish and live in community.”

  Mary gasped as the hidden pieces rolled out of Judith’s mouth. Had Sarah known all this and hadn’t told her? Embarrassment rose to her face as she glanced at Noah. He probably didn’t appreciate her eavesdropping. His face had paled. She took a step back then another but noticed several sets of eyes and ears trained their way. There were others interested, too.

  Noah’s shoulders sagged as he heaved a sigh. “I always wondered if something happened to cause them to leave.”

  Someone tapped Mary on the shoulder. She turned and drew in a sharp breath.

  Seth.

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Noah and Judith. Her gaze drifted from Seth’s blue chambray shirt to his broadcloth trousers held by suspenders.

  “So you left the Englisch ways and have returned?” her voice strained as she fought for control. “How did the bishop let you back in our community when they shunned you? Has it been a year already?” She took a couple steps back from him.