Amanda stayed quiet, too quiet. Mary glanced at her friend working on the display case. “Is something wrong?”
“My mamm just stopped by for a moment.” Amanda hesitated. “Did you know everyone in town is talking about your alleged feud, the cupcake-duel and the tie? She said people are saying it went viral.”
Mary jerked her head toward Amanda. “What does that mean?”
“It means that people are sending notes out online for the world to see. Mamm said it’s all over and everyone is talking about your feud with Noah and the upcoming festival.”
The door pushed open, and Frank Wallin strolled to the counter. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Morgen, Frank,” Amanda chirped as she headed for the kitchen.
“Mornin’, Frank, it’s gut to see you.” Mary dished out a smile.
He chuckled. “Never thought I’d see the Sweet Delights ladies over here in enemy territory.”
Mary huffed. “Noah and I are not enemies, Frank.”
“Not the way it sounds on Twitter. Sounds like a big feud. Someone took a video of you and Noah having a few heated words and posted it.”
“Frank,” Mary gasped. “That was just a misunderstanding.”
“The newspaper has an article in it that claims it’s a feud and that’s gone viral. Since there’s so much commotion, the town is offering $20,000 in contest prize money instead of the $10,000. They said hundreds of bakers have already signed up for the contest.”
“That’s crazy. There must be some mistake.” Mary propped a hip against the counter to keep her steady.
“Read the article. Over at Lazy Susan’s this morning, Abigail Riggs said that you two have caused such a stir it’s turned into big business for the town and the fall festival. Susan claims tourists have come to town and asked her to point you two out.”
“What? Tell her not to do that.”
He laughed. “If they want to pay me, I’m going to make a buck and point you out.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Nah, I’m just kidding.”
“Frank, are you sure about the prize money being raised to $20,000?”
“Yep. Just black coffee and a cinnamon roll, please.”
Mary handed it to Frank. “On the haus for updating me on the news.”
“Thank you. Have a good day, Mary.”
She blew out a deep sigh. Not likely now.
The wheels on the cart squeaked as Amanda rolled it to the bakery shelves. “Did I hear Frank correctly? Did they raise the festival prize money to $20,000?”
Mary pressed her lips together then released them. “Jah, but I’m surprised we didn’t hear about it.”
Noah opened the back door to the kitchen and tromped in and out, carrying in his pastries.
Mary rushed from the bakery to the kitchen. “Noah, did you hear about the festival committee raising the baking prize to $20,000?”
“Yes.” He pulled a newspaper out of his back pocket and handed it to Mary.
She unfolded the paper and read a few lines. “I can’t believe they did this.” She shook the article as she spoke.
Noah nodded. “The rumor is they expect maybe twenty to thirty thousand to attend the festival.”
She looked up from reading. “Just because they think we’re feuding?”
“Finish reading the article.” He stood with his back propped against the counter, feet crossed, waiting.
“What!” Mary shrieked. “MyBaking Channel contacted the festival committee. They want to send a celebrity chef as a judge. The committee has agreed,” she mumbled as she read. “MyBaking Channel is sending Simone André. She is offering the winner a chance to come to her show to make the winning dessert.” She stopped reading and glanced at Noah.
He nodded. “The stakes just got higher, Mary. Winner takes all.”
Jenny slipped into the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “So MyBaking Channel is going to judge? That will really bring in the contestants. You two better have great recipes.”
Noah shot his sister a frown. “Nice to see you have confidence in me, sis. Sorry, I have to finish unloading.” He banged the door on his way outside.
Jenny turned to Mary. “You know I didn’t mean that. You both are great bakers and either of you could win.”
“I know.” Mary poured a cup of coffee, sat on the stool by Jenny and sipped the brew. “This is unbelievable, all because we had a fight on TV.”
“It’s crazy but wonderful.” Jenny stood. “Stop by my office before you go home, I want to show you a web page I made for Sweet Delights. It’s my way of saying thanks for all the sweets you feed me.” She added as she headed out the swinging door. “Practice hard, Mary.”
Amanda caught the door and carried in empty pastry pans from the bakery. “I heard Jenny’s comment, but Noah is one terrific baker.”
“Jah, he’s gut. Now with the prize money so high, and MyBaking Channel sending Simone André as a judge, and she’s offering the winner a chance to bake their winning dish on her show, the bakers will come from all over the country to enter the contest.” Mary squeezed her eyes closed. Dear Lord, You’ve taken away my bakery, now with the stakes so high, culinary-trained bakers will enter the contest, and I won’t have a chance to win. Lord, please strengthen my ability.
* * *
After lunch, Mary stopped in to Jenny’s office just as Ethan was leaving. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Ethan gave them a wave as he walked out.
“It’s fine. He was just leaving. We’re just friends, but I told him I was going to nursing school. I wasn’t sure if he was getting serious or not, but he was okay with it. He knew I wasn’t going to join the Order.” She touched a key on her computer. “So here is your web page.”
Mary gasped. “It’s wunderbaar. Danki, that is lovely.” She gave Jenny a hug. “I see you have boxed up your things. I’m going to miss you when you go.”
“I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll be home for visits.”
Mary dried a tear as she headed back to the kitchen. She started the bread dough for the next day and set it in the refrigerator to rise.
At 4:00 p.m., Noah rushed into the kitchen with worry lining his forehead. He glanced at the clock, then at Mary. “Emily is late coming home from school. Have you seen her?”
“Nein, not today, but the other day she told me she was spending a lot of time with a new friend. Maybe she’s at her haus.”
“She’s supposed to tell me when she’s going to Kate’s.”
The back door swung open, and Emily ran into the kitchen.
“Where have you been, young lady?” Noah hunched down to look in her face. “You’re to tell me when you go to your friend’s house.”
“I know, but I wasn’t at Kate’s house. I was petting King. He was neighing and prancing around the corral. He wants to go for a walk.”
“Please don’t go into the corral without Mary’s or my permission,” Noah warned.
“Can Mary take me for a ride?” Emily wiggled around. “Please, Noah?”
“Mary is busy.”
Emily ran to Mary, threw her arms around her waist and gave her a hug. “Please, Mary?”
Mary laughed and patted Emily’s back. “Tell you what, when I’m ready to go home at five, I’ll give you a ride.”
“Great!” Emily giggled. “I’ll take my stuff to my room and be back.
When Mary finished her prep work for the next day, Emily timed it just right and breezed through the swinging door. She grabbed her bag. “Are you ready for the ride?”
“Mary, would it be all right if Noah came with us?” Emily asked.
Noah entered the kitchen. “Where are we going?”
“For a buggy ride. I want you to come with us, Noah. Please?”
Noah glanced at Mary.
Noah nodded toward the door. “Why don’t you two go ahead? I’ll finish here and lock up.”
Mary led Emily outside to the corral and demonstrated how to hitch King to the buggy, letting her help at times. The procedure took twice as long as normal, but it was worth it. “Well done, Emily,”
Her little face glowed with the accomplishment. Emily ran around, jumped in the buggy and grabbed the reins. “Can I drive King?”
“I’ll let you drive up to the door so we can pick up Noah, and we’ll see how you do.”
Noah was waiting. He raised his brow at Mary as he stepped in and sat on the seat next to her.
She gulped as he settled back. Her heart beat so hard she was scared he could hear the racket. She drew a steadying breath. “Emily wanted to drive, so I said we’d give it a try.” She leaned back, but her arm touched his, sending a tidal wave of emotions through her. Jah, this might not have been such a gut idea.
Mary tugged the reins to the right. “Let’s turn down Fifth Street, go past the fire station and turn right onto J Avenue.”
Emily pushed Mary’s hand away. “I can do it by myself.”
King jerked the buggy into motion and picked up speed. Mary raised her hand and leaned toward Emily. “Slow King down, Emily”
“I don’t know how to do that. He’s going so fast.”
“Jah, I will help you. When he’s been corralled all day, he gets antsy and wants to stretch his legs.” Mary laid her hand over Emily’s and gently showed her how to pull back on the reins. “Do you feel what I’m doing? Tugging back tells him to go slower. When you want to turn right, tug the reins right, and he knows to turn right. The same with left.”
Emily heaved a long sigh. “Oh, that’s easy.”
Mary could feel Emily relax back into the seat. If only she could do the same, but with Noah so close, that was impossible. His nearness was suffocating her. Moisture dampened her palms. “How do you like the buggy ride, Noah?”
“The seat is much more comfortable than I thought it would be, and the ride is fun.”
As King turned onto J Avenue, the buggy wheel hit a rut in the road and bounced. Noah swayed and brushed against Mary. He recovered quickly and straightened. He was so close she could hear him breathing. Pressing a hand over her heart, she tried to calm it. She had to quit thinking about him. “So Noah, do you have your recipes picked for the contest?”
“I do, but I’ll practice them a few more times to make sure they’re perfect. How about you?”
“Jah, I was debating between two apple pie recipes, but I’ve made the selection. Having to bake three days in a row for the three-day contest is stressful.” Mary leaned toward Emily. “Turn right onto Fourteenth Street.”
Emily pulled back on the reins as they approached the turn then tugged the reins right. King turned the corner smoothly. Emily laughed. “I did it.”
Mary reached an arm around her and squeezed. “You are really getting the hang of it. You’re a natural.”
The clip-clopping of King’s hooves were soothing and Mary even started to enjoy Noah sitting beside her. “Slow King down, Emily, and turn onto A Avenue.”
“He won’t slow down.” Emily worried her bottom lip.
“Do you want me to help you? Sometimes King has a mind of his own.”
“Yes, I’m scared.”
Mary put her hand on the reins and firmly pulled back. “King, settle down.” Her voice had a sharp ring. The horse wanted to get out on the road and go, but he’d just have to wait a while longer.
Settling back in the seat, she brushed against Noah and the touch sent her heart racing again. What was wrong with her? She was acting like a silly schoolgirl. “Turn onto Fifth Street when you come to it.”
“Okay.”
Another buggy approached them from the opposite direction. Mary poised her hand midair in case Emily got nervous, and she needed to grab the reins. The buggy neared, and Mary’s heart dropped. “Oh, no.”
“Something wrong?” Noah sounded concerned.
“I’m fine. I didn’t mean to say that.” She could sense Noah staring at her. “Sometimes King can get a little skittish when another horse is near.”
But that wasn’t it. As the other buggy drew alongside, she turned and saw Bishop Yoder’s warning stare aimed in her direction. The bishop had counseled her about Noah once before. No doubt he would be paying her a visit after seeing her snuggled up next to Noah Miller in a buggy.
Now, she’d be confessing her sin for sure and for certain.
Chapter Fourteen
When Noah stopped his vehicle and parked in his grandpa’s drive, Cyrus hurried out of the toolshed and headed his way wearing a scowl.
He stopped six-feet away. “Look, Noah, it’s great that you come out to visit Daed and help him on the farm, but it’s sending mixed signals. My parents have hopes that you’re going to join our community.” Cyrus’s tone changed from impatient to one of concern. “I think we both know you’re not going to do that. Daed is in the milking room, disinfecting the floor and stanchions. But it would be best if you left and didn’t come out again.”
The words bombarded Noah one after the other. He silently nodded and climbed back in the SUV, a knot twisting in his stomach. His hands gripped the steering wheel while his heart plummeted to his feet. He understood his uncle’s concern, but that didn’t make the situation easier.
Where the gravel road met the highway, Noah turned toward Iowa City. He couldn’t face Mary just yet. She’d ask him how it went at his grandpa’s farm, and he didn’t want to talk about it.
He parked behind his store and tried to muster up a friendly smile. His keys jangled as he unlocked the back door and stepped into a warm kitchen smelling of cinnamon and yeast rolls.
Sidney looked up. “Hi, boss. Since it’s Friday morning, I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“How about some help? I need to do some thinking, and the kitchen is where I do it best.”
“Always glad for the help.” Sidney gave him a curious glance but went back to his work.
When he left later that day, Noah called Jenny and let her know he was heading to their grandparents’ farm for a short bit before heading home. He parked in their drive, hoping Cyrus had gone home. He climbed the porch and knocked on the kitchen door.
Soft footfalls approached just before Grandma pushed the screen open. “Come in.”
When Noah entered, his grandpa was sitting at the oak kitchen, eating supper. His grandma took her chair.
“Sorry to bother you,” Noah said.
“Sit,” Grandpa invited. “Are you hungry?”
“No, thanks. I’m only going to stay a minute.” Noah rubbed his palms across the pockets of his trousers. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted to meet his grandparents and get to know them. But he had to do what was fair for everyone.
His grandmother was quiet, and he could see her uneasy gaze dart from his grandpa to Noah. His plan before he left Iowa City sounded good. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
“Grandpa, Cyrus said he thinks it’s best if I don’t hang around here. I was wondering if that’s the way you feel, too?”
The old man stopped eating and laid his fork on his plate. “Most times, Cyrus and I don’t see eye to eye, but this time, he’s right. The bishop doesn’t like a lot of fraternizing with the Englisch. It can give the youngies the wrong idea.”
Grandma sat with her head down, slowly eating. She didn’t acknowledge the conversation.
“Okay. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but I understand. I enjoyed getting to know you both.” The words caught in Noah’s throat and stumbled out.
Silence stretched across the room.
Noah turned and walked out of the house, quietly closing the door between him and his gr
andparents.
The goodbye cut deep into his heart. He wanted to be part of their family. But he couldn’t give up his SUV for a horse and buggy, he needed his vehicle. He owned an expanding business, and he had responsibilities. But that didn’t make the knot in his stomach go away.
The way he was shut out of his grandparents’ world, he would probably soon be shut out of Mary’s life, too.
Lord, God, I don’t know where You’re leading me, but I pray it’s for the betterment of my family. Because it’s tearing my heart in two.
* * *
When she heard the grocery door open, Mary had a feeling it was Bishop Yoder. She slowly lifted her gaze from her work at the bakery counter to the visitor, and blew out a long breath. “Gut Morgen, Ethan. I’m glad it’s you.”
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. It’s nice to see you, too.” Ethan livened his step to the counter. “Why are you glad to see me?” He removed his straw hat and rubbed it across his blue chambray shirt and suspenders.
“When I heard the door, I thought it was the bishop. Emily wanted to go for a buggy ride yesterday. I let her have the reins, and I sat next to Noah. The bishop saw us and gave me a warning look.”
“Ah, the warning look. I know it well from my early rumspringa days. Tell the bishop you were bringing Noah out to see me.”
“Shame on you, I couldn’t lie. Besides, it was a harmless buggy ride. So what would you like today?”
“A double-chocolate donut and a black coffee.”
She set his order on the counter. Ethan handed her the money, picked up his purchase, and turned to go but stopped.
Mary’s eyes followed his stare.
Bishop Yoder held the door while Bishop Ropp entered.
Mary cringed. How long had they been standing there?
Ethan hurried out the door while Bishop Ropp walked around the bakery section, trying to decide what he wanted.
Bishop Yoder’s stare was icy as he approached the counter. “Mary,” he whispered, “you are making a mistake running around with that Englischer.”
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