by Molly Jebber
“How’s Tuesday, April first?” Mr. Kline gazed at him.
“Perfect.” Andrew’s heart raced with excitement. Maryann and her family would be pleased. He’d have time to get the store in order before the wedding. This had worked out well. Gabe would be happy to have a store of his own to manage.
Andrew drove to Maryann’s haus and told her and Shem the good news.
“I’m thrilled! It means so much to me to stay in Charm.” She gently squeezed his hand. “You’re wonderful, Andrew, for working this out for us.” She froze. “I’m sorry. I’m being selfish. Of course, you must have some remorse about leaving Gabe, Aunt Dora, the store there, James, and Matt.”
“I would’ve liked managing the store with Gabe, but it’s best he’s in charge of his store and I have mine. It’s what we’ve both aspired to have one day. He’ll stay with Aunt Dora until he finds a fraa.”
“You must tell Toby. He’ll be delighted we’re staying in Charm.”
Shem beamed. “I’m so happy about this. Ellie and Joel will be, too. Danki, Andrew.”
“My pleasure, Shem.” Andrew smiled.
Maryann shooed them into the kitchen. “I kept supper warm.” She had the table set, and she served them vegetable soup, slices of cheddar cheese, and crackers. Then she brought over meat spread sandwiches. She had water in glasses already in front of them.
Andrew dipped his spoon in the soup. “I should’ve stopped to tell Toby what’s happened and ask about the haus, but I couldn’t wait. I’ll go there after we’re finished.”
Shem asked Andrew questions about his plans for the store, and Maryann listened intently.
Betsy ate mashed potatoes while they talked.
Andrew wiped his mouth. “Betsy, have any of those peas made it into your mouth? At least you ate the mashed potatoes.”
“No. No. Dada.” She smashed a tiny handful to her lips.
“A portion must be inside her. She’s not a skinny boppli. She’s got two more teeth kumming in. She wants to chew on her round-headed clothespin all the time.”
“Orsie.” Betsy patted her table. She cocked her head and held up her food covered hands. “Unkie go?”
Andrew chuckled. “Gabe would be over the moon to know she’d asked about him right now.”
“Uncle Gabe is at his haus. You’ll see him again.” Maryann wet a rag and washed Betsy’s face and hands, and then the tray. She removed the dirty dishes and gave Betsy her clothespin and horse. “You can keep me company while I do the dishes.”
“Toby will have had supper with his family by now. I’ll go discuss our change in plans with him.” He kissed the back of Betsy’s hand. “Be good.”
She waved. “Bye, Dada.”
He said goodbye to them and drove to Toby’s haus. He shivered against the cool wind. He was looking forward to the trees growing their green leaves, and flowers blooming.
Toby answered the door with Patches beside him. “Andrew, kumme in. Have you had supper?”
“I did, danki.” He greeted Rachael and Eleanor and petted the dog. “He’s cute. I’m sorry about Pepper.”
“Patches is a good pet, like Pepper. It was tragic what happened to Pepper. I think of our pup often.” Toby scratched the dog’s ear. “Have a seat. I’m sorry about your uncle Luke.”
Eleanor had dark circles under her eyes. “Yes, I’m sorry for your loss.” She smiled. “Danki for all you’ve done for Toby and our family. My husband is sleeping or I know he’d want to danki.”
“I understand. How is he?” Andrew took off his coat and handed it to Toby and then sat.
“He has good days and bad. Today was a better one. He ate and drank more than he has for a while, and he slept better last night.” She gave him a weak smile.
Rachael left and returned with butter cookies and warm cocoa. “Andrew, please accept my heartfelt sympathy regarding your uncle.”
“Danki, Rachael.”
Each of them took a cookie and mug.
Andrew sipped the warm cocoa. “I’ve made big changes. I’ve bought Mr. Kline’s store and the space next to it.”
Toby’s eyes widened. “You did?”
Rachael pressed a hand to her throat. “You and Maryann will be staying in Charm?”
Eleanor settled back. “This is wonderful news. My kinner have been dreading losing you and Maryann to Millersburg.”
“Yes, Maryann and I will move into my present haus after we’re married.” He winced. “You haven’t sold it, have you? I should’ve checked with you about the haus before I talked to Mr. Kline, but if I couldn’t buy the store, it wouldn’t have mattered.”
“I haven’t sold your haus. It’s in good shape and ready for you. I didn’t have one offer. I’m sure it’s because God had this plan in mind for you. Tell us more.”
“Gabe will take over my uncle’s store. With Gabe’s return and Uncle Luke passing away, I no longer need to stay there. Gabe will take care of Aunt Dora, and I’ll pass ownership of the store to him. Maryann can still work at the bakery, and I’ll need some help when you’re not busy managing my place, Toby.”
Toby grinned. “I’d be happy to work for you at both places.” He frowned. “Will I be letting Liza and Jacob down?”
Andrew shook his head. He respected Toby for caring what his friends thought. “They would’ve loved to have you, but they’ll be happy for you and me.”
Toby’s eyes shone with excitement. They would have fun working together again.
“I must agree. I love them both.” Eleanor set her mug on the small table next to her chair.
“I’ll tell them about our change in plans tomorrow.” Toby finished the last piece of his cookie. “Will you expand the two spaces and make it one big store?”
“Yes. I’m taking down the dividing wall. I’ll add a workshop in the back, like my uncle had in his store in Millersburg, so we can build pieces when business is slow, or early in the morning.” Andrew drank his remaining cocoa. He rose. “I’ll go back and settle things in Millersburg for a week or so, and then I’ll return to Charm for good. Danki, Toby, for all you’ve done for me. I’m happy we’ll be working together again. I’ll teach you more about crafting fine furniture.” He put on his coat.
“I look forward to it. I’m thankful for all this. What a pleasant surprise.” Toby walked him to the door.
Andrew bid them farewell, and he headed to his home in Charm. He was glad he’d brought his savings with him in case he and Mr. Kline worked out a deal. He prayed and thanked God for working things out for him with Maryann, the store, his bruder, and Toby, and for his haus not selling. God was good.
* * *
Friday morning, Maryann went to the bakery. She had prayed and thanked God for allowing her the opportunity to stay in Charm. She noticed Daed had a lilt in his step at breakfast and seemed more chipper. She was sure their good news was responsible for this. Rachael and Magdelena had unlocked the door.
She went to the kitchen and greeted them with a happy smile.
Rachael clapped flour from her hands. “I told Magdelena you are staying on at the bakery.”
“I’m relieved and so happy!” Magdelena faced her.
“Me too. I was prepared to make the best of the situation if we moved to Millersburg, but I’m delighted we don’t have to go. I do regret Andrew and Gabe won’t be in the same town and us not being close to Aunt Dora. But Andrew is comfortable with Gabe taking over the store and living with her. Oh, how I would’ve missed you both.” She breathed in the aroma of fresh white bread. “You must have put some loaves in the oven.”
“I did.” Magdelena sniffed in the scent. “There’s nothing like fresh warm bread.” She checked the shelves of goodies. “We need more tarts. Maryann, is Andrew still in town?”
“He’s meeting with Mr. Kline again today. He’ll stay the week and head to Millersburg on Friday. He’ll return to Charm the first of April, when he’ll get the keys to the store. He’s excited.” Maryann baked with the girls until time to
open. She turned the sign and opened the door for two women wanting to kumme inside. Maryann smiled. “Wilkom.”
The two Englischers greeted her and then continued their conversation. “You should forgive your sweet husband. He didn’t tell you about his scheming sister for a reason. He didn’t want her near you, and rightfully so. She’s ruined lives with her lying tongue spreading untruths about family members. She’s spoiled, deceitful, and a terrible human being.”
The young woman stomped her foot and glared at the pretty older lady. “Mother, I don’t care. He tells me everything. Why not this?”
Maryann made more coffee while the two women talked. She wasn’t sure what she should do. She didn’t want to interrupt them.
“He’s given you no reason to suspect he’s anything other than the upstanding man he’s shown you. You’re punishing him for what your last no-good fiancé did to you. Your wonderful husband didn’t lie, cheat, or steal from you. He was protecting you. He can’t help it his rotten sister showed up in town after all these years. He was sure she was never coming back or had died. She hadn’t bothered to write or attend their mother’s funeral.”
Maryann was glad the young woman’s mamm was giving her wise advice. She hoped the young woman would listen to her.
The young woman dipped her chin to her chest. “I love him, but I’m scared to trust him. I know in my heart he had good reasons not to tell me about her. Why can’t I get past this?”
“You’re letting what happened to you before threaten to destroy your marriage, and the situation isn’t the same. Please reconsider and resume your happy life with him. You’ll regret it the rest of your life if you choose not to. You’ll forget all about this in no time.”
The young woman pressed her hands to her chest. “You’ve made some valid points. I don’t want to lose him. I should talk to him.”
The door opened. A handsome young man barged in. “Lori.”
Maryann glanced at him. She hoped this young couple could work out their differences.
The young woman gasped. “Trenton, did you follow me?”
“I did. Please come home. It’s been a month. I need to know where we stand. I miss you.” He held his dapper brown hat.
Tears stained her cheeks. “I’ve missed you. Mother’s been defending you, and what she says makes sense. I’ve been too hard on you. Can you forgive me? I’ve been awful to you.”
“I should’ve told you about my sister. I had hoped she was out of my life for good. She’s always been mean to me and my siblings. I don’t want her near you.”
“I’m sorry she’s been trouble for you. I’ll honor your wishes. I don’t want anything to do with her, based on what you’ve told me.” She blushed and glanced at Maryann. “I apologize. We’ve made a spectacle of ourselves in your bakery. Please forgive us.”
Trenton nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” Maryann gazed at them. She could relate to their disagreement. She’d been too hard on Andrew, and she almost destroyed their future. She was glad this couple had resolved their differences, just as she and Andrew had. “Would you like anything from the shelves?”
Lori’s mother stepped to the counter. “We must celebrate. We’ll take the vanilla cake with white icing. Trenton and Lori, I’ll split it with you. White cake is my favorite. I find any excuse to have some.”
They laughed.
Maryann accepted payment, passed them the wrapped dessert, and watched them leave. She was happy for them.
The door opened, and she smiled. Andrew. She moved to face him. “Did you finalize the deal and pay Mr. Kline?”
He beamed. “I did. I gave him half the money, and I’ll give him the other half the day he gives me the keys. With the space next door, the shop is larger than my uncle’s in Millersburg. I am excited to get it organized. While I was there, two men already dropped in and asked to consign pieces with Mr. Kline. He introduced them to me, and we came to an agreement.”
“How wonderful. Oh, Andrew, we’ve got a lot to look forward to. Our wedding, Betsy and me moving into your haus, and beginning our future together as a married couple.” She couldn’t wait to put her touches on his haus and make it theirs.
Magdelena and Rachael came from the kitchen to greet Andrew.
Magdelena passed him a custard tart. “These are fresh. I’m sorry about your uncle Luke.” She poured him a cup of coffee. “Congratulations on your new store and choosing to make your life here in Charm.”
“Danki.” He accepted the stoneware cup.
Magdelena glanced at Rachael. “We should give these two some privacy.” She hooked her arm through Rachael’s. “Kumme on. We’ve got pies, cookies, and bread to bake. Have a safe trip to Millersburg, Andrew.”
Rachael nodded. “Yes, drive careful.”
The girls went to the kitchen.
Andrew brushed her hand with his. “It won’t be long before you’ll be Mrs. Wittmer.”
“And you’ll become a husband and a daed on the same day.” She chuckled.
“I can’t wait. I like that Betsy’s already calling me Dada.” He gazed into her eyes.
He held her hand for a moment. “I have a question for you.”
“What?” Maryann raised her brows.
“How many kinner do you hope God blesses us with?” He gave her an impish grin.
“I’m not sure.” She had Betsy. She hadn’t considered how many.
He teased. “I hope we have fourteen. We’ll call all the boys, Noah. And we’ll call all the girls, Betsy. It will make it easier on us when we call them all for chores and meals!”
“Oh my goodness! We’ll need a four-story haus!” She laughed and held her stomach.
“We have a lot to look forward to in our future. It will be fun to watch Betsy grow and to create wonderful memories together.”
A woman and two small kinner entered.
“I’ll be right with you.” Maryann said goodbye to Andrew and gave him a warm smile.
He grinned back at her and put his hand on the door. “I’ll be at your haus in time for supper.”
Maryann watched him leave. Soon, she’d be Mrs. Wittmer. She grinned. The name had a nice ring to it.
* * *
Andrew got in his buggy in Charm Friday morning to head to Millersburg. He had enjoyed the suppers at Maryann’s and the time they’d spent together this past week, but it was time for him to return to Millersburg and tie up loose ends. It had been hard to say goodbye to Maryann and Betsy. He couldn’t wait for his permanent return to Charm after their wedding. Only an hour into the journey, the cold wind and rain blew against the curtain used to cover the door opening on his buggy, and he tugged the wool blanket over his legs and pulled his scarf higher to cover his nose. He shivered. The next two hours, he squinted at the road and wished visibility wasn’t so poor.
He was within ten minutes of Aunt Dora’s. Thank goodness, his journey would be over soon. He slowed and noticed an empty buggy ahead to the side of the road. It had a broken wheel and the horse was nowhere to be found. Another buggy and mare was parked on the road. It was Gabe’s mare. The mare had patches of brown and black fur. Who had been in the broken buggy? “Giddy-up! Go!” He hurried to help them and jumped out. “Gabe! Gabe!”
“Andrew?” Gabe yelled. “I’m over here!”
“Yes, it’s me. I’m kumming.” Andrew inched sideways down the slight hill. Two young Amish women stood, one on either side of Gabe, holding on to his arms.
“Andrew, can you hold on to one of the women? I can’t take them both at the same time, and I’m afraid to let go of either of them as they may fall. One girl has a turned ankle and the other cut her leg.”
“I’ll make my way to you.” Andrew made his way to them in the rain. The ditch wasn’t bad to climb, and they weren’t far from the road. He did a double take. The women were twins. He held out his hand to the nearest girl. “Take my hand or my arm. We’ll walk up the hill together. Hold on to my arm as we take
steps.”
She worried her brows and grabbed on to his arm and then let go of Gabe’s.
The other girl held on to Gabe’s arm, and he helped her climb up the hill to his buggy.
Andrew said, “I’m Andrew Wittmer, Gabe’s bruder.”
The girl shivered. “I’m Gracie Miller.” She removed a handkerchief from under the cuff of her sleeve and tied it around her cut.
“I’m Katie, her schweschder.” She held on to Gabe’s arm and didn’t put weight on her injured ankle.
Gabe inspected their wagon. “I’ll take you both home.”
The girls nodded, and Gabe helped them into his buggy.
Andrew pointed to the buggy. “Let’s push their buggy a little more off to the side of the road.”
Gabe nodded, and they got the buggy off the road.
“Do you need me to follow you to their haus? We could pick up their daed and I could help you and him replace the wheel.”
Gabe said, “No, I’ll be fine. I’ll help their daed retrieve the buggy and horse.” He smiled. “You arrived at the right time. I was relieved you stopped.”
“Happy to help. Talk to you later.” Andrew waited until Gabe’s buggy disappeared down the road. Gabe had had a big smile on his face as he helped the twin girls into his buggy. He’d be curious to find out if his bruder had an interest in either of them. He didn’t recognize them from Sunday services or around town.
He traveled to Aunt Dora’s haus, parked his buggy, unharnessed his mare, put her in the stall, and offered the animal food and water. Then he closed the barn door. He crossed the yard and went inside. “Aunt Dora, I’m home.”
“Andrew, I’m in the kitchen.” Aunt Dora stirred a big kettle of ham and beans. She put her big wooden spoon down and wrapped her arms around him. “How was your trip?”
“It couldn’t have gone any better.” He recounted his meeting with Mr. Kline and told her he was giving Gabe the store in Millersburg.
“I’m happy for you and Maryann and little Betsy. Your uncle would be pleased you’ve bought a store and will raise your family near Maryann’s, especially since Gabe can take over this one. You each need your own store. Gabe, being younger, may have had trouble working with you. He looks up to you, but he likes to create his own path.”
