The Amish Marriage Bargain (Love Inspired)

by Marie E. Bast

  “Gut, Doctor. I’m anxious to get this boot off.”

  He loosened the bootstraps and helped her slip her foot out. He felt around her ankle and foot. He moved the foot this way and that and rubbed his hand across the top. “The foot feels like it’s healed. You don’t need to wear the boot in the house, but if you walk on the ground where it’s uneven, wear the boot outside for another month. That’ll ensure the foot doesn’t twist and get reinjured.”

  “Do I need to come back?” She held her breath.

  “Not unless you have trouble with it.”

  “Then I can stand on it and run my cheese business?”

  He nodded. “You sure can but let your foot tell you if it gets tired. If it does, let it rest. Don’t push it. It might still be weak for another few weeks.”

  She hopped off the examining table. “Danki.” May shivered as excitement streaked through her. Now she could officially start her business. Her plans for her factory were already down on paper. She was ready to go.

  Her happy energy propelled her out of the car when it stopped in front of the haus.

  She paid the driver and hurried inside.

  Josie met her at the door, her suitcase packed and sitting in the kitchen. She flagged May’s driver and he agreed to give her a ride home.

  “I’m going to miss you so much, Josie. And so will Leah.”

  Josie gave her a big hug. “I know, but I have to get home and help Mamm. Leah is in her high chair having lunch. Oh, and she is toddling around today.”

  “Tell Aent Matilda I said hullo, and that I appreciate her lending you to us for a few weeks. I hope your stay here wasn’t too boring, but meeting a handsome cheesemaker may have eased the boredom just a bit, I think.” Her cousin raised a brow, then hurried down the porch steps toward the waiting driver.

  May stuck her head in the haus to check on Leah, then stepped back out on the porch to watch Josie drive away.

  A feeling of loneliness settled in her chest. Waving at Josie only made it worse. She was going to miss her terribly.

  Now May and Thad were truly alone as a married couple. Was she ready for a real relationship with him?

  Chapter Thirteen

  May gazed out the kitchen window and smiled. Without fail, every morning Thad always brought her fresh, foamy milk to use in her cheese business.

  As he passed by the dawdi haus, Gretchen dashed out the door and appeared to be talking to him. Gretchen was always interfering. What did his mamm want this time? Her cucumbers picked or her carrots and potatoes dug?

  May regretted her unkind thoughts. But why did that woman have to be so narrow-minded? Gretchen was always belittling her to Thad and keeping him busy so he couldn’t help her with the cheese business.

  Thad smiled as he finished talking to Gretchen and continued on to the haus. His mamm disappeared back into the dawdi haus. Letting the screen door bang behind her. That was odd, since Gretchen never banged a screen door. Ever.

  “Here’s your morning milk, May,” Thad said upon entering the kitchen.

  “Danki for bringing it up to the haus. How are repairs going on the barn?”

  “They will soon be done. These men from Shipshewana really know their business.” He headed for the door. “How is your foot feeling today?”

  “Jah, it feels gut without the brace and I’m glad. My foot is so much cooler without all that plastic wrapped around it.”

  “I think it’s called thermoplastic. Where is Leah?”

  “Making cheese.” Leah pushed herself up from sitting on the floor on the other side of the table. She held up the ball of cheese she was trying to push into a mold.

  “Oh, you are a big helper, aren’t you?” he praised her, then winked at May. “I can see you have a big helper.”

  “The best helper. I told her she could make you some cheese.” She gave him a wry smile.

  “I’m sure I’ll like it very much.” He tossed May a grin before disappearing out the door.

  A knock sounded on the door before she could even count to ten. Thad must have forgotten to tell her something. At the continued silence, she looked up. “Ach, Janie, come in. I’m so glad to see you.”

  Janie gave her a hug, then sat at the kitchen table. “How’s the cheese business going? Mamm is finished with her canning, so I thought I’d come over to see if I can help you. It’s all over town about your cheese business. I think Elmer is even a little worried about his Sunnyhill business falling off with you making cheese so close to him.”

  “Did he say something?”

  “Nein, I don’t think so. He is just used to getting all the business around here. You will be his competition, don’t forget.”

  “The dairy farmers around here are all dumping milk. Once I get the business going, I’m hoping to be able to buy more milk.”

  Janie shook her head. “Why doesn’t Thad just buy more cows and supply the milk for you?”

  “Maybe, we’ll see. But I might need a bigger haus. I converted the pantry to storage for the cheese business. Thad made floor-to-ceiling shelves in there to accommodate the cheese that needed to age. And I’ve realized that I need an assistant. Would you be interested in the job?”

  “Jah, I’ll help. I have plenty of free time.”

  “Are you and Jonah still not back together?”

  “Nein, that’s over. Whatever Gretchen said to him, she killed our relationship.”

  May walked over and gave Janie a hug. “I’m so sorry to hear that. When do you want to start helping?”

  “Now is gut for me. I heard Josie went home, so I thought I’d help you if you needed it.” Janie’s face was somber, then brightened. “Who knows, maybe I will meet some tall, handsome man by working for you.”

  May shot her friend a sympathetic look. “If Jonah has to have his mamm pick a frau for him, you don’t want him.”

  “Jah, I know. Just tell my heart that, it’s breaking in two.”

  “We are going to be so busy making cheese, you won’t even have time to think about him.”

  “I hope that is true, and that your business makes lots of money,” Janie laughed.

  “Saturday, I’m going to have my vegetable and fruit stand. I’m going to make a few apple pies and strudels, and have a cheese-tasting here on the wraparound porch. So you can help with that.”

  “Do you have cheese ready to sell?”

  “I have some, but I was hoping to take some advance orders. Most of our clients will probably be Englisch. Mr. Kolb from the gift shop in town where I consign some doilies and rugs has a computer and made me a few signs and flyers to hand out. He also said I could leave some samples with him on Friday and Saturday, and maybe some coupons to encourage the Englisch to drive out here.” She finished the goat-cheese cheesecakes and set them aside. “We will sell these on Saturday.”

  “You’re definitely going to give Elmer some competition. He’s not going to like that.”

  “Elmer is on the Iowa Cheese Roundup and in the Iowa Cheese Club. He has plenty of customers.”

  “I don’t know. He’s very protective of his business.”

  “He has tour buses that stop at his factory. I’m sure he’s not worried about a little competition. Besides, it’s more than likely that he will drive me out of business, not the other way around.”

  “Who is Elmer driving out of business?” Thad entered the kitchen silently, almost as if he were in stocking feet.

  “How long have you been out there listening to us?” May asked.

  “I just came in. You two were so busy worrying about Elmer that you didn’t hear me. It might serve Elmer right to have a little competition. He acts so smug, with all the tour buses stopping by his factory.” Thad took off his hat and tossed it on the peg by the door. “What’s for supper?”

  “Baked chicken smothered in cheese. Janie has
come to work for me and help out with the cheese business.”

  “Gut. Now I won’t have to dump milk.” Leah toddled over to her daed, and he picked her up and set her on his knee. “Are you going to be a cheesemaker, too?” She shook her head and smiled.

  “Repairs are done,” he told May. “The youngies are going to milk the cows the rest of the week, and I am going to help you make cheese so you will have plenty ready to sell on Friday and Saturday.” He flashed her a smile.

  “Really? Or are you just teasing me?”

  “Nein, no teasing. I’m going to help, for sure and certain. Whatever you need me to do. At your tasting, I have two youngies that are going to stand by the road at your vegetable stand and their sister will be on the porch selling the cheese and taking orders.”

  Her eyes locked with his, and sent her heart racing.

  Leah jumped off Thad’s knee and toddled to May, holding out her arms. “Mamm, Mamm.”

  “You want a taste of cheese?”

  Leah smiled and nodded.

  May gave her a small taste of the feta cheese. Leah smacked her lips and chewed, then made a funny expression. She took a piece out of her mouth and handed it back to May.

  “Danki, sweetheart, but you are a bad advertisement for my cheese,” May laughed.

  The rest of the week, they all worked making feta and ricotta cheese, cream cheese and mascarpone. Some of the Gouda had aged and she had mozzarella sticks. She added flavoring, tomato bits and avocados and then made cheese spreads for crackers. She made cheese dips out of the sour cream to serve with chips, and she made mascarpone and used it for a cannoli filling.

  Janie prepared many of the foods to complement the cheeses and when Saturday arrived, Thad assisted her in setting up the porch with display areas. As customers started dropping by, he helped take orders. The prepackaged feta, ricotta, cream cheese and mascarpone were big sellers.

  May watched Thad’s brother Jonah approach the house and take a plate of food. He glanced toward Janie but didn’t approach her.

  May could see the blush on Janie’s cheeks rising to a cherry red, and tears begin to form in her eyes. She brushed them away when she thought no one looked.

  “I’ll get more samples,” Janie said, and disappeared inside the haus.

  May’s sister Sadie parked her buggy under the oak tree and brought her three children up the porch steps.

  May gave her sister a hug. “Danki for stopping by.” She gave the kinner a piece of pizza and a glass of lemonade and had them sit in chairs by a table. They were very happy with that. They didn’t get pizza that often, she imagined.

  “May, I can’t believe you made all these cheeses by yourself. Who would have guessed you had a talent for this?” Sadie filled her plate with several samples and sat by the kinner. “These are all so gut.”

  “Hope you spread the word to your friends and neighbors, jah?”

  “Mamm would have been so proud of you. I haven’t seen Gretchen yet. What does she think about all this?”

  May sighed. “Don’t really think she approves.”

  “She will when she sees what a big success it is. Making all these dishes and letting everyone sample the flavors of the cheese was a great idea. Has Elmer been here yet?”

  “Nein, not yet.”

  Sadie smiled at her sister. “I always thought Elmer was sweet on you. I wonder what he’s going to think now that you are going to be in competition with him.”

  “There is plenty of business for all of us, and besides, Elmer is well established in his cheese factory. I’m sure he doesn’t have to worry about our little business.”

  “I need to get going, or my kinner will eat you out of all your sample pizza. See you on Sunday.”

  Just as Sadie drove her buggy out onto the road, Elmer steered his into the driveway. May watched him park. She wondered if he would stop by and sample her cheese. She watched as he walked up to the porch.

  “So you are starting a cheese business?” He took a piece of pizza and nibbled on it. “Gut cheese and pizza. What gave you the idea?”

  She wasn’t going to confess that they needed the money. It was none of his business. “We didn’t like the idea of dumping milk, and this was a good way to use it.”

  He nodded. “You are right, this is a better idea. I wish you success in your new endeavor.”

  “Danki, Elmer. That means a lot coming from you. And I hope you don’t feel that we are stepping on your toes.”

  “Nein, there is enough business for all of us. But you will give me some stiff competition if you keep serving food with your cheese products on them.” He took a piece of the Gouda and popped it into his mouth. “Gut tangy flavor. All the best, May.” He gave a nod to Thad as he headed back toward his buggy.

  Thad worked his way through the crowd of customers on the porch over to May. “What did Elmer say?”

  “He said the cheese had gut flavor.”

  “That is high praise coming from him.” He watched as Elmer’s buggy headed down the road. “Think he is worried just a little bit?”

  May chuckled. “Nein. He’s not worried about me making a few dollars. But he did grow quiet when he tasted a couple of my cheeses. I’m so pleased at the turnout today, and I think we have made a few regular customers.”

  Thad patted her shoulder. “Your cheese is gut, and I’m sure you will have a lot of repeat customers.” He sounded impressed and that sent warmth straight to May’s heart.

  Could they really do this? Would this cheese-making business really help them save the farm?

  May knew only Gott had the answers to such questions. But it didn’t hurt to ask Him for guidance.

  Chapter Fourteen

  On Monday morning, May had set to work early starting new batches of cheese when she heard the wheels of a buggy crunch over the rock in the driveway. She glanced at the clock. Janie was early. Which was gut, since there was lots to do that day.

  A knock sounded on the door “Come in, Janie. Don’t be shy.” She stayed at the sink washing some bowls.

  “Gut mornin’, May.” Bishop Yoder’s voice startled her.

  “Bishop, I’m sorry, I thought you were Janie. Come in. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “That would be nice.” He pulled out a chair at the kitchen table, and by the time he sat down, the cup was in front of him.

  “Are you looking for Thad? I think he is in the barn.”

  “Nein. I’ve come to see you.” He blew on his hot coffee, then took a generous sip. “I heard you made quite a stir over the weekend, giving away samples of your cheese from your new business.”

  May glanced at the bishop, not liking where this conversation was headed. “Many enjoyed the samples. Would you like to try any cheese?”

  “Nein.” He shook his head as if to reinforce his reply. “May, it is Satan whispering in your ear that makes you think that a job outside the home is more rewarding than homemaking. You must not be fooled by his lies.”

  May stopped what she was doing, rinsed her hands and faced the bishop. “Bishop, we are losing money every day on the farm. The dairy association wants us to dump milk on the ground. We cannot afford that. We lost our fall crop in the tornado, and if that wasn’t enough, we had so much damage that Thad had to take out a loan. A loan that we cannot repay without a bumper crop next year, which we cannot plan on.”

  “A gut frau has many talents to utilize in order to make money. In fact, I hear you have several thousands of dollars stashed away from your numerous projects.”

  “That money is still not enough to pay for the tornado damage, not to mention the loss of money in crops, and the continued dumping of milk. We won’t even have money to buy seed next year at this rate.”

  “That is not an excuse for you to work outside of the home.”

  “I am not working outside the home. I
am here in this haus every day, cooking my ehemann’s dinner.”

  “You are starting a cheese business as witnessed by everyone in the community.”

  “It is up to my ehemann and me what kind of business we own, Bishop. We do not need the community’s approval to keep body and soul alive. I am not doing it for pride but to save my family’s 170-year-old farm. We Amish all dress alike so no one will look wealthier than another, but we all know some have more money than others.”

  “May?”

  Thad was standing in the kitchen doorway, his face red. His eyes shot a warning to her. “We do not talk to the bishop like that.” His voice trembled.

  May dropped her gaze. “You are right.” She leveled her gaze at the bishop. “I’m sorry, Bishop Yoder.”

  The bishop stood up and slowly walked to the door, shaking his head. He turned back. “Thad, make sure it is for the right reason you start this business.” He walked out the front door.

  Silence fell over the kitchen.

  When May heard the buggy wheels heading down the driveway, she turned toward Thad. “Your mamm told him.”

  “There was no need. Everyone in the community knows about the cheese business,” he retorted.

  “He knew I had saved money, so your folks—or better yet, your mamm—must have told him.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “No one else knew except your parents.”

  Thad’s gaze dropped to the floor.

  “Unless...did you tell others, Thad?”

  “I...may have.”

  “I cannot believe you did that!” May turned her back on him and got busy at the sink. “You had no right to do that. And you didn’t stick up for me. You never do. When your mamm is browbeating me, you never say a word.”

  “She is my mamm, I can’t sass her.”

  “And I am your frau. I am doing all this work to save the farm. Our farm. It is what we discussed. It’s what we decided to do. I’m not losing this farm. I thought we agreed on that?”

  “May, you know what the Ordnung says as well as I do. Women take care of the home, and they should find satisfaction in that.”