by Molly Jebber
Matt shuffled his feet. “I found the woman for me, but I was wrong. She betrayed me the night before our wedding.”
James clapped a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “The gossips have made you the villain. Why haven’t you told them your reason for not marrying her?”
Andrew had been curious why Matt had left this girl at the altar. He would’ve asked the same question. He was glad James beat him to it.
“The Burkholders and Ropps have been close friends for years. Elias had left Amish life and returned. He was at Annalynn’s haus often. I began to wonder if they were more than friends when I found them alone in the sitting room more than once.”
“Did you ask Annalynn about Elias?” Andrew asked.
“I did. She said they were friends. But I caught them kissing outside of her family’s barn. I’m positive they were sure they were hidden when I drove by. I waited until he left, and then I confronted Annalynn.”
“What did she say?” James dragged a stool over and sat.
“She said he forced her to kiss him, but she didn’t appear to mind, and she stayed in his arms. She said she loved me and not him. What really bothered me was when she said he didn’t have any money and he would never be a man she could depend on. I couldn’t help but think she was marrying me for security but she was in love with him. She begged me to forgive her and marry her.”
Andrew dropped his jaw. “Why didn’t you call off the wedding right then, instead of walking away from her at the altar?”
“I should have told her I wouldn’t marry her before the wedding.” He raked fingers through his thick brown hair. “She gazed at me with her deep blue eyes, and I didn’t want to let her go. I stayed awake most of the night contemplating what to do. Then, at the altar, she glanced at him and he smiled back at her. I had clarity at that moment, and I had to face the truth. She loved him and not me. I was heartbroken, and I had to get away from her. Away from them. Now, I’m thankful I didn’t marry her and then find out.”
“Why wouldn’t she call off the wedding and let Elias court her?” James asked.
“She wanted security and money more than she wanted love. As I look back on our time together, I was sure I had loved her more. I’m sure she found me comfortable, reliable, and a man she could count on for the long haul. Not the kind of relationship I want with a fraa. Elias is intriguing, lazy, and unreliable. I doubt they’ll last.” Matt sighed and shook his head.
Andrew sat on a stool next to James. “It didn’t take me long to fall in love with Maryann. I had no doubt she was the one for me early on in our courtship.”
At that moment, two young women sashayed into the store wearing black velvet capes and fancy hats. The tall one smiled wide at James. “I’m Alexandra Parker, and this is my sister, Nannette. We’re visiting our aunt, and we’d like to buy her a sewing box.”
James blushed. “We have two types.” He walked over to the section of sewing boxes. He opened the first one and pulled out a tray and then closed the lid. Then he pulled out one of six drawers visible in the other. “Do you prefer the lift-out tray or individual small drawers?”
Alexandra stood close to him. “I’d like the one with individual drawers. It’s quite unique.” She batted her eyelashes. “Please show us the features of each.”
Nannette scowled. “Alexandra, take the sewing box from the nice man and quit flirting with him. You’re impossible.”
“What’s your name?” Undaunted by her schweschder’s scolding, she gazed at James.
“James.”
“Nannette, James doesn’t mind. Do you?” She grinned.
He cleared his throat. “Madam, please follow me.” He walked past Matt and Andrew and went behind the counter, carrying her selection. He accepted the money from Alexandra.
She accepted her purchase from him, strolled to the door, let her schweschder go ahead of her, and then gave James one last smile and shut the door behind her.
Andrew and Matt burst out laughing.
James wrinkled his nose. “She was bold. I wasn’t sure what she was going to do next. I’m glad she’s gone.”
Andrew headed to the workshop. “You handled yourself well.”
Matt nodded and followed Andrew.
“Do you have your eye on another woman in town, Matt?” Andrew removed the lid off a can and dipped his brush in the white paint.
“I’d like to marry and have kinner. I’m skeptical about women after what happened to me with Annalynn. Your Maryann is the type of woman I’d like to find.” Matt opened a box of nails.
“You will when the time is right.” Maryann was beautiful inside and out. He prayed nothing would stand in their way of having a future together. He went to the counter, pulled out a sheet of paper, and wrote to Maryann.
* * *
Maryann stomped the dirty slush from her boots and walked into the post office. She read the date on the newspaper the postman had on the counter. January nineteenth. She sighed. It had been three weeks and a day since Mamm’s funeral. She and Daed had settled into a routine, but she missed Mamm. She waited until it was her turn in line. “Do you have any mail for me?”
The postmaster smiled. “I do have a letter for you.” He passed it to her.
“Danki.” She smiled, hurried to the bakery, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. Hannah was taking excellent care of Betsy while she was working at the bakery. Maryann’d managed the haus and Betsy and working at the bakery without a hitch. Ellie assured her she’d take good care of Daed when she moved to Millersburg. “Good morning.”
Rachael limped to her. “What do you have in your hand? The smile on your face makes me guess it’s a letter from Andrew.”
“Is she right?” Magdelena clutched a dish towel to her chest.
Maryann blushed and nodded. “He wrote me a letter. I’m saving it to read later.”
“I’m glad he was here for you during Naomi’s funeral.” She grimaced. “How’s your daed adjusting?” Magdelena leaned against the wall.
“He stares off, and I’m certain he’s remembering her. It breaks my heart. I make breakfast and supper, and he takes care of his dinner. He takes more time in the evenings to play with Betsy or read her a story. He’s always been helpful around the haus. More than is needed. He’s the best.”
Rachael hooked her arm through Magdelena’s. “We should give Maryann privacy to read her letter.”
“You’re right.” Magdelena went with Rachael to the kitchen.
Maryann unfolded the letter. She pressed the paper to her chest.
Dear Maryann,
I miss you and Betsy. My family and friends are anxious to meet you both. I can’t wait to begin our life together. I pray you and your daed have worked into a comfortable routine and your pain and sorrow over losing Naomi is getting better each day. You have your memories, and they’ll help ease the ache in your heart. She’ll never be forgotten by any of us. Give my love to your family and hug Betsy for me.
Love, Andrew.
She kissed the paper. He was sweet to write such an endearing note. She was counting the days until he’d be in Charm again.
Toby opened the door and came into the bakery. “Maryann, have you received a letter from Andrew this week? How’s he doing?”
She held up the paper. “I did. He’s good. How are you?”
“I’m grateful to Andrew for asking Liza and Jacob to employ me after you and he move. They came to visit me last night and officially offered me a job whenever I’m ready after Andrew’s haus sells.”
“I’m glad you have a job lined up.” Maryann removed a tray of cookies from the shelf. “Which would you like?”
Toby scanned the assortment of cookies. “Two ginger cookies, please.” He paid her.
She handed his purchase to him. “Did you want to say hello to Rachael?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “I’ll go to the kitchen.” He was gone for a couple of minutes, returned, bid her farewell, and walked out the door.
Maryann sk
ipped to the back room. “I have an idea.”
“What is it?” Magdelena sprinkled sugar on her cookies.
“Magdelena, you and Toby would be a good match. What do you think?”
Rachael washed her hands. “I’ve asked my bruder about Magdelena.”
Magdelena blushed. “What did he say?”
Maryann nudged Rachael. “Tell us.”
“He likes Magdelena, but he isn’t ready. My bruder has to have what he considers the right amount of money to provide for her before he’ll court anyone. He’s right. We are living on what he and I make. He’s also focused on Daed, and I understand. We worry how long we’ll have him with us. They’re best friends. Do you understand, Magdelena?”
Magdelena nodded. “His loyalty to his family is a trait I admire. I do understand. Maybe someday he’ll be ready.”
“I’ll be curious to watch what happens with you two in the future.” Maryann had noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off Magdelena when they were all together in the bakery or at after-church meals. She was convinced he’d show he was interested in her someday soon.
Rachael squeezed Magdelena’s arm. “He doesn’t notice that Maryann or I are in the room when you’re with us.”
“He doesn’t talk to me much.” Magdelena shrugged.
“He will approach you when the time is right.” Rachael squeezed Magdelena’s arm.
Maryann wouldn’t pursue this conversation. She’d respect Toby’s position. It wasn’t her place to meddle. She wondered if Magdelena would wait on Toby. Amish men had approached her beautiful friend, but Magdelena had found something wrong with each of them. Maybe she had her sights on Toby more than Maryann realized.
Maryann waited on customers and the girls baked breads and pastries the rest of the afternoon until closing time. She took off her apron and hung it on the wall hook. “Time to go, ladies.” She gathered her things and followed the girls to the livery, scanning the town on the way. She’d be making a new life in a new town in a couple of months. Would she like it as well as Charm?
* * *
Rachael carried a tray of molasses cookies to the counter Monday morning. “I can’t believe we’re halfway through February. It’s the sixteenth.” She grimaced. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you about Pepper.”
Maryann frowned. “Is Pepper all right?” She pressed a hand to her heart, hoping nothing bad had happened to the dog.
“Yes. The pup has become a part of our family. Pepper and Daed have become close. He doesn’t leave Daed’s side very often. And he sleeps at the end of Daed’s bed through the night. Mamm enjoys Pepper too. She’s happy the pet has lifted Daed’s mood.”
“I’m thrilled the dog has become a part of your family. Pets can be a comfort.” Maryann brushed a spot of flour from her sleeve, relieved Andrew’s pet was bringing cheer to Toby’s family.
“We love the mutt.” Rachael glanced at the counter shelves. “I should finish the sugar cookies I started and get them ready to sell.” Rachael grinned and headed to the kitchen.
A woman with a stained coat, matted hair, and a tattered scarf around her neck came inside the bakery. Her body odor was hard to endure. She scowled and glared at Maryann. “Give me a vanilla cake with buttercream frosting, a dozen oatmeal cookies, and three apple fry pies.”
A big brusque man wearing gloves with holes, and a tattered coat, was at the woman’s heels. He also had a bad odor. “Nadine, I told you to wait in the buggy. I said I’d get the desserts.”
The heavyset Englisch woman scoffed at him, and stomped out.
The man squinted and slapped his gloved hand on the counter. “Give me whatever she ordered, now!”
Maryann shivered. The back door slammed shut. She glanced out the window, and she saw Magdelena was running across the street.
She hurried to put the cake in a box and passed it to him. He towered over the counter. His eyes narrowed. “Give me some of them maple sugar cookies.”
“How many?” Maryann’s hand shook.
“All of them!” He slapped the counter again. “And hurry.” The man grabbed the bag and ran into the sheriff kumming in the door with Magdelena behind him.
The sheriff had his coat pulled back and his hand resting on his Browning pistol, still in its holster. He narrowed his eyes. “Did you pay for those?”
The man scowled, dug in his pocket, and threw money on the counter.
“Did he pay you enough, Maryann?” The sheriff blocked the man from leaving.
She glanced at the coins. It wasn’t near enough to cover the cost, but she didn’t care. The couple looked desperate and hungry. She nodded. “Please don’t arrest him. I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.”
The sheriff still didn’t move. “Thank the lady.”
The man mumbled, “Thank you.”
“Where are you from?” The sheriff glared at him.
“Akron,” the man snarled.
“Get out of this town and don’t kumme back. You got it?” The sheriff stood inches from the man’s face.
“Got it.”
The sheriff opened the door, with Magdelena still behind him.
The man ran outside.
The sheriff pinched his nose shut and then dropped his hand. “He could use manners and a bath. Are you girls all right?”
Rachael limped to the front. “Magdelena and I peeked around the door, and before I could say anything, Magdelena flew out the back door. I figured she went for the sheriff, and she was right to get help. The man was rude and angry. I stayed back and held a frying pan, just in case. We’re not supposed to cause physical harm, but I wasn’t going to let the man hurt my friend.”
Maryann blew out a breath. “I doubt he’d have harmed us. Their coats and hats hadn’t been washed for a while, and they had holes in them. They seem poor, and they were probably hungry. I’d have helped them out if they’d asked.”
Magdelena huffed. “There’s no sense in the way they acted.”
The sheriff stepped outside and then came back in the bakery. “They’re gone. I’m sure we won’t encounter them again. I got the same impression. They could’ve asked for help instead of trying to steal. We don’t tolerate stealing.”
“Danki, Sheriff.” Maryann had encountered her share of bullies in the past when she was in Massillon and married to Gerald. She’d gotten comfortable in peaceful Charm. She was grateful it was unusual for troublemakers to visit their town.
She served customers the rest of the afternoon then closed the shop, bid the girls farewell, and drove to Hannah’s to collect Betsy. She parked her buggy and trudged through the dirty slush of snow to the door and knocked.
Hannah had Betsy balanced on her hip. “We’ve had a wonderful day.”
Betsy held her arms out. “Mum.”
Maryann stepped inside the haus and took Betsy in her arms. She kissed her dochder’s cheek. “How’s my girl?”
Betsy grinned and put her little arms around her neck.
“Let me take your cape. Have a warm glass of hot chocolate with me.” Hannah held out her hand.
Maryann put Betsy down and took off her cape and handed it to Hannah. “Where’s Timothy?”
Hannah put the cape on the maple coat tree beside the door. “He’s at his parents’ haus helping his daed put up a shelf in the main bedroom.”
Betsy stood, wobbled, and then toddled across the room to an Amish doll on the chair.
Maryann and Hannah gasped, their mouths open. “Are those her first steps?” Maryann hoped she’d not missed Betsy walking for the first time. She had expected Betsy to walk before now. She was sixteen months old. This was such a relief and so exciting.
Hannah nodded. “Yes, and she didn’t hesitate. How wonderful!”
Maryann held her arms out. “Kumme to Mum, Betsy.”
Grinning, Betsy walked into her arms.
“Good girl.” Maryann chuckled. “You may want to stop watching Betsy now she’s walking. You may have to chase her from room to room.”
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Hannah pointed to the playpen. “That will be her safe place when I’m out of breath from trying to keep up with her.” She sat back. “You must be thrilled about your wedding in May.”
“I am, but I’m sad about leaving Daed. Joel has Ellie, and they’ll have a new boppli to keep them busy. I worry about Daed being alone.” Maryann sucked in her bottom lip. He’d been through so much with Mamm. She enjoyed their time together, and he and Betsy had grown close. He’d go through another change when they left.
“Your daed’s haus isn’t far from Joel and Ellie’s. He’ll enjoy their boppli and adjust to living alone. He understands you and Betsy belong with Andrew.”
“Danki, Hannah. You’re right, and God will take care of all of us.” She would write to him often. Her heart sank. It wouldn’t be the same. She’d miss him. “God took care of us at the bakery today.” She recounted about the man and woman who attempted to steal from them.
“Magdelena reacted fast. I’m glad Sheriff Williams’s office is close. What a shock. We don’t have danger too often in Charm. I hope we don’t again, and I’m relieved you girls are unharmed.”
“It was a shock, but it doesn’t deter me from working at the bakery. It’s a wonderful place to bake with friends and serve customers.” She’d miss everything about Charm.
* * *
Maryann met Rachael and Magdelena at the livery early in the morning. They crossed the road.
The newsboy waved a paper above his head. “It’s February twenty-third! Find out the latest news!”
Maryann couldn’t believe another week had passed. She shouldn’t be glad time was passing fast for her. She grinned. She was closer to having Andrew in Charm. She and the girls crossed the road to the store and unlocked the door, and they went inside the bakery. They removed their capes and hung them up.
Maryann glanced at Rachael. “You’ve been quiet this morning.” She faced her. “Have you been crying? What’s the matter?”
