Cookies and Cheer

by Amy Clipston

  He rubbed at his clean-shaven, strong jaw. “I can’t say I’ve ever made kichli cutters before, but it can’t be too difficult.”

  She felt some of the tension release in her shoulders. “I’ve drawn them all out. I even have the dimensions.”

  “Great.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s see your designs.” He motioned for her to follow him to the closest workbench, where he moved some tools out of the way.

  She handed him the designs and held her breath as he flipped through them.

  When he got to the last page, he turned to her. “These are really gut.”

  “You think so?” She longed to remove the thread of desperation in her voice.

  “Ya, I do.” He looked down at them again and pursed his lips as if he were mentally making the cookie cutters. “How soon do you need them?”

  “Does that mean you’ll make them?” She swallowed back a squeal when he nodded.

  “Ya, I can do it, but how much time would I have?”

  “Is a week reasonable?”

  “I think so.” He jammed his thumb toward the back of the shop. “Mei dat and I are working on a big railing project besides the outdoor furniture, but I can work this in at the end of my day.”

  “Danki so much, Kyle.” She folded her hands. “How much do you think all the kichli cutters will cost?”

  “Not much.” He shook his head. “We can talk about that later.”

  “Okay.” She smiled up at him. “I really appreciate this.”

  “It’s not a problem. I’m froh you thought of me.”

  He held out his hand, and when she shook it, she was certain she felt a spark skitter up her arm. Had he felt that too?

  “I’ll bring the kichli cutters to you at the bakery when I have them done, okay?” he asked.

  “That would be perfect. I work there Thursday through Saturday.”

  “Great. I look forward to seeing you when I’ve finished them,” he said as he walked with her to the front door. He pushed it open, and they stepped outside together. “Did you walk here?”

  “Ya.” She shrugged. “It’s only a block.”

  “Do you need a ride home? It’s getting dark.”

  “No, danki.” She looked up at him and smiled again. “I appreciate your help.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  With a spring in her step, Alyssa started down the driveway. Excitement spread through her at the thought of using the cookie cutters Kyle had just agreed to create.

  And she wouldn’t mind seeing their creator again either.

  2

  KYLE TIED HIS HORSE TO THE HITCHING POST BEHIND THE bakery and then retrieved the box of kichli cutters. As he walked around the side of the building toward the front, he glanced up at the crystal-blue, late-afternoon sky and shivered against the cold breeze seeping through his coat.

  When he reached the front entrance, he stopped and peered into the display window, clearly designed for fall. He smiled as he recalled how Alyssa’s pretty face had lit up and her eyes had twinkled as she told him about her plans for creating a Christmas display. She was talented, and not only had he seen the evidence in her drawings, but her creativity and flair sparkled in this spectacular autumn display.

  He stepped toward the front entrance but then halted. Through the glass in the door he could see Alyssa. She was sweeping the floor, focused on her work, staring down as the ties from her prayer covering bobbed over her slight shoulders. When she glanced up to look at a clock on one wall, he couldn’t help but notice that the dark blue of her dress brought out the deep blue of her eyes.

  Although Kyle and Alyssa never talked much at school or youth group, he’d been aware of her and had admired her from afar. She lit up the room with her contagious laugh and her dazzling smile.

  Why had he never had the confidence to ask her out?

  Pushing away the thought, he ignored the CLOSED sign and tried turning the knob on the door. It was unlocked. He pushed it open, causing a bell to ring above his head. The sugary, inviting scent of fresh baked goods filled his nostrils as he glanced around. He’d never been here before, but he could see why customers would like the place. His mother mentioned the Amish bakery had been bought by an Englischer long ago, and she’d obviously retained its original charm. The walls were decorated with framed photos of picturesque Lancaster County, with horses and buggies; farms featuring large, white farmhouses with wraparound porches; red barns; and lush patchwork fields dotted with cows and horses.

  “Sorry, but we’re closed,” Alyssa said. She had bent to sweep a small pile of crumbs into a dustpan, but when she straightened and faced him, her rosy lips formed an O and her cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink. She was adorable.

  “Kyle. Hi.” She set the dustpan and broom on the floor against a display case before brushing her hands over her apron and walking toward him.

  “Hi.” He held up the box. “I have your kichli cutters. I had hoped to get them to you sooner, but as I mentioned, mei dat and I have some big projects right now.”

  “Oh, that’s wunderbaar. It’s only Thursday. I wasn’t expecting them before Saturday.” She touched the box. “May I see them?”

  “Ya.” He scanned the bakery, finding all the shelves and tables covered with baked goods. He looked up at the counter by the cash register and spotted an empty space. “Why don’t we put the box up on that counter? Then you can spread them out to look at them.”

  “Okay.” Alyssa followed him to the counter, where he set down the box and then stepped aside. She fished through the box and pulled out the cookie cutters, one by one, grinning and gasping as she examined each shape. “These are fantastic.” She looked up at him, and her smile widened. “Danki so much, Kyle! They’re perfect.”

  He shrugged. “Gern gschehne, but you made it easy.”

  Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “Your drawings were spot on, and that made it easier.”

  “How much do we owe you?”

  “Alyssa?” An older Englisch woman wearing an apron stepped out from the back and gave Kyle a nod. “Hello.”

  “Denise, this is Kyle Smoker,” Alyssa said. “Kyle, this is Denise Sherwood. She owns the bakery.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” He shook her hand.

  “You too.” Denise glanced down at the counter. “These are the cookie cutters?”

  “Ya.” Alyssa’s expression brightened. “Aren’t they perfect?”

  Just as Alyssa had, Denise lifted each cookie cutter to examine it. “They certainly are perfect.” She looked over at Kyle again. “Thank you for taking time to make these. You’re talented, just like Alyssa said you were after seeing some of your work at your shop.”

  Kyle stood a little straighter. “Thank you.” He turned to Alyssa and grinned. His grin widened when her cheeks again flushed pink.

  A phone rang somewhere beyond the doorway Denise had come through, and she backed away. “Excuse me. Thank you again, Kyle. Alyssa, let me know if I didn’t give you enough money.”

  “Okay.”

  Denise turned and disappeared.

  Alyssa looked up at him. “So how much do we owe—”

  “Alyssa!” A young woman Kyle knew was Alyssa’s sister, Jenne Lynn, rushed in from the back. She stopped short when her gaze landed on him, and then she glanced at her sister. A smile spread on her lips. “I didn’t realize you had company.” She turned back to Kyle. “Hi, Kyle.” Then she faced Alyssa again. “Our ride is here.” She pointed toward the back. “I’ll meet you outside?”

  “I can give you a ride home, Alyssa,” Kyle said, surprising himself. “We can, uh, finish our talk.” When Alyssa’s eyes widened, he added, “If that’s okay.”

  “Oh.” Alyssa glanced at her sister, and they seemed to share a knowing look. Then she turned back to Kyle. “That will be fine.”

  “Okay.” Jenne Lynn motioned toward the front door. “Do you want to lock up in here before you leave, Alyssa? Denise is staying for a wh
ile, so she’ll get the back door.”

  “Ya, of course. Tell Mamm and Dat I’m on my way.”

  “I will.” Jenne Lynn grinned. “Bye, Kyle.” She gave a little wave, and then she was gone.

  Alyssa seemed embarrassed. “I’m sorry about that. We keep being interrupted.”

  “It’s my fault. I didn’t realize you’d be busy closing.” He gestured toward the box. “Are you sure the kichli cutters are okay?”

  “They’re spectacular.” She pulled a change purse from the pocket in her apron. “Now, again, what do we owe you?”

  “Let’s talk about it in the buggy, okay?” He’d already decided he wouldn’t charge for the cookie cutters, but suddenly another idea popped into his head, an idea that seemed even better.

  Alyssa hesitated, and then she held up a handful of bills. “But I want to make sure I have enough, so I can tell Denise if I don’t.”

  “I’m sure you do. I’ll help you lock up, and then we can talk in my buggy.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “What can I do?”

  Alyssa directed him to the front door and told him how to lock it. After she’d turned off the propane lights Denise had also retained, Kyle picked up the box of cookie cutters and followed her into the kitchen. He noticed shelves full of ingredients and other supplies, a large island in the center of the room, and a wall of counters and cabinets. He counted three ovens.

  “Should I leave the kichli cutters here?” Kyle set the box on the island.

  “Ya, that’s perfect,” Alyssa said. “Danki. Do you like chocolate chip cookies?”

  “Ya, I do,” he said, and she handed him a box. “How much do I owe you for these?”

  “They’re free today,” she said as she smiled brightly.

  “Danki.”

  Denise stood by a desk in the corner, flipping through a ledger. “Are you getting ready to go?”

  “Ya. I just need to grab my things.” Alyssa retrieved her black coat from a peg on the wall, pulled it on, and buttoned it. Then she lifted a tote bag from another peg.

  “Have a good night,” Denise called.

  “You too,” Kyle said, waving at her.

  Kyle went out the back door first and then held it open for Alyssa.

  Alyssa glanced up at him as they walked to his buggy. “I was so surprised when you came into the bakery.”

  “Again, I’m sorry I got here so late. I didn’t realize you close at five.”

  “It’s fine.” She motioned toward the bakery behind them. “The perfect time, really. We were busy most of the day, so it would have been even harder to talk.”

  “Do you like working here?”

  A smile broke out on her face. “Ya, I do. I’ve always loved to bake, so I was thrilled when I saw the HELP WANTED sign in the window and Denise hired me. Jenne Lynn joined me when another maedel got married and had to quit. I really like working with mei schweschder. We have a lot of fun, and Denise is wunderbaar. She was a great help to my family when mei daadi was diagnosed with cancer. She and her husband took turns driving him to appointments and treatments and never charged us. They were also a wunderbaar source of strength when he passed away. They brought meals to us, and Denise prayed with us.”

  “She sounds like a special freind.”

  “She is. How about you? Do you like metalworking?”

  “Ya, I do. I always knew I wanted to work with mei dat.”

  When they reached his buggy, he opened the door for her.

  “Danki.” She climbed in as he untied his horse, and then he hopped into the driver’s side. “Tell me about the railing project you and your dat had to complete.”

  “Oh.” Surprised that she would be interested, he glanced over at her before guiding the horse toward the road. “Well, we had to install a railing inside an Englischer’s haus. It’s more like a mansion.”

  “Really?” Her eyes rounded as she angled her body toward him. “What does it look like?”

  “It has six bedrooms and four bathrooms. It’s probably three times the size of mei dat’s haus.”

  “No kidding!”

  He smiled as he took in the excitement on her face. “It also has this sweeping staircase. And the kitchen is probably three times the size of the bakery’s. They have stainless steel appliances, including a tremendous refrigerator and two ovens.”

  For the remainder of the drive Kyle answered Alyssa’s questions about the house, and she listened with rapt attention. When they reached the road that led to her farm, she folded her hands and turned toward him once again.

  “So,” she began, “are you going to tell me what I owe you for the kichli cutters? Or do I have to keep asking?”

  He chuckled. “You don’t have to keep asking. And it really didn’t cost me anything. I used some leftover metal from another project.”

  “But I have to owe you something for your time and effort.” She tilted her head.

  He swallowed against his suddenly dry throat. Now was his chance to ask her out, but would she say yes? He cleared his throat and pushed himself to find the confidence to ask the question burdening him. “I’m sure you’ve dated since we were in youth group together, but do you have a boyfriend?”

  She paused and raised her eyebrows. “No. Why?”

  “Could I take you out for supper one evening?”

  “Uh . . . ya.” She nodded. “That would be nice.”

  “How about tomorrow night? I can pick you up when the bakery closes.”

  “Sure.” Her eyes widened. Was she stunned or excited?

  “Great.” A smile tugged on his lips as he guided the horse up the rock driveway leading to her white farmhouse. Perhaps he had a chance with Alyssa!

  “I’m confused.” Her statement broke through his mental celebration.

  His stomach dipped as he halted the horse by her front porch. Was she going to change her mind? “Why are you confused?”

  “Well, I asked you how much money we owe you, but you asked me out instead of giving me an answer.”

  “Going out with me is the payment.”

  Her brow furrowed as she studied him. “How is taking me out to supper a payment for the work you did?” She pulled out her change purse again. “Please take this money from Denise. It’s only right that you’re paid for your work. We don’t give away kichlin or kuchen for free.”

  “You just gave me a box of chocolate chip kichlin for free, but that’s beside the point. I can’t accept payment from a freind.” Without a second thought he reached over and covered her hands with his. Heat rushed from the place where their skin met, and he was surprised that she didn’t pull away. He didn’t want to be too forward. “I’m just froh you thought to ask me to make the kichli cutters for you.”

  “You were the first person who entered my mind.” She seemed sheepish at her confession, and that made his smile broaden. “Are you certain you won’t accept any money?”

  “I’m absolutely positive.” He gave her hands a quick squeeze and then sat up. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. May I pick you up at the bakery a little after closing time?”

  “Ya. And I look forward to seeing you too. Danki for the ride.” She pushed the door open. “Be safe going home.”

  “I will. Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht.” She climbed out of the buggy, waved, and then hurried up the front steps.

  Kyle sat up straighter as he guided the horse back down her driveway. He’d asked Alyssa to go out with him—and she’d said yes! How grateful he was for her cookie cutter project, giving him the perfect opportunity.

  “So. Where is Kyle taking you to supper tonight?” Jenne Lynn asked as Alyssa set sampler boxes on the shelf below the counter at the back of the bakery.

  “I don’t know.” Alyssa tried to keep her voice even despite the anticipation thrumming through her body. She was excited to spend more time with Kyle after discovering he was still the kind man she remembered.

  “Why aren’t you jumping up and down?” Je
nne Lynn pressed. “Kyle Smoker asked you out! You should be dancing around the pie displays.”

  “I am excited, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to dance around the bakery.” Alyssa had danced in the privacy of her room last night, but her younger sister didn’t need to know that. If she allowed herself to get too worked up, she’d be tongue-tied when Kyle arrived. She had to keep her calm in public.

  “Who’s going on a date?” Denise appeared from the back with another armload of samplers Alyssa knew contained some of the whoopie pies, shoofly pie, and assortment of cookies she’d baked that day.

  “Alyssa didn’t tell you?” Jenne Lynn gasped, and Alyssa rolled her eyes. “Kyle asked her out last night. He’s taking her to supper after we close the bakery.”

  “Really?” Denise grinned. “I remember my first date with Greg. He took me to a movie and then for ice cream. We talked for hours, and I knew then that I wanted to marry him.”

  “Ooh,” Jenne Lynn cooed as she turned back to her sister. “Maybe you and Kyle will get married.”

  “Stop, Jenn. It’s just a date.” Alyssa bit back a smile as she imagined a future with Kyle. After all, dates sometimes turned into more.

  A timer buzzed in the kitchen, and Alyssa returned to reality. “I need to get more sugar cookies ready for the oven.”

  Denise followed her into the kitchen. “It looks like those cookie cutters are working out well.”

  “They are.” Alyssa pulled on a mitt and opened the first oven. She took out a cookie sheet full of cow-shaped cookies. “These look spectacular.” She set the sheet on hot pads and then slipped a cookie sheet full of angel cookies into the oven and set the timer. She moved to the second oven and pulled out a sheet of star cookies and then put in a sheet of cookies shaped like sheep.

  “Thank you for giving me back the money. I still can’t believe Kyle didn’t charge us.” Denise leaned against the counter beside Alyssa, and a smile turned up her lips. “He must really like you.”

  Alyssa couldn’t hold back a smile as she began to mix more dough. “I guess so.”