Peach Cobbler Mystery

by Naomi Miller

  “Mamm and I were talking last night about how wunderbaar our community is to help anyone in need. When people heard about the trouble the Davis family was having, everyone pitched in and helped, finding jobs for Travis and taking Sissy to the doctor.” Katie smiled, thinking of her boyfriend and his family. She quickly continued before Freida could ask about Travis—or their date—again.

  “When Bella made her announcement, I feared that people would judge her, but instead they have taken Bella in and made her and her bopli a part of the community.”

  “Especially Mrs. Mueller.” Freida spoke up. “I would never have thought that she would take in a stranger.”

  Katie was nodding as she added, “Who would have ever guessed that she would take to Bella the way she did. . . and even more surprising, she has stopped gossiping.”

  Freida jumped in then. “Jah. At first, I thought it was just Bella that she wasn't talking about, but I don't think she gossips about anything now.”

  “That is probably a gut thing. We know how gossip can hurt. . . although we never had to worry about not knowing what was going on in the community.”

  Freida giggled. “Jah, that's true, but even so I am glad she has stopped. And the community has been so gut about Bella and her condition. Everyone has accepted her, instead of treating her badly. . . just because she made a mistake.”

  “Boplin are to be loved, no matter how they come to us. And we know nothing of Bella or her life before she moved here. Perhaps Englischers don't feel that marriage comes before boplin. . .” Katie shrugged before adding, “besides, we have had a few early boplin in our own community, too.

  Anna Miller spoke up from beside them suddenly. Katie and Freida turned to look at their friend, surprised at the tone of her voice. “But don't you think it's strange? No one knows anything about her or her family. Mamm was surprised when Mrs. O'Neal hired her to work with you at the bakery.” She put down the dishes she was packing in a box and turned to them. “Why does she hide her past? Does she have more to hide than just a bopli? And where is the father of this bopli?”

  Katie shook her head, her tone firm. “I have not asked her, and will not. It is her decision to share whatever information she chooses to share.”

  Anna looked miffed at Katie's answer. “Everyone in the community is talking about her, Katie Chupp. I heard my parents talking about it, too. They are very surprised that your parents allow you to continue working at that bakery.” She flounced past them, heading toward the back door, turning back before going outside. “But then, look at what has happened to you. Now you are dating an Englischer. . . all because your parents did not take you away from the path of sin, but allowed you to fraternize with the sinner.”

  “Anna Miller! We are all sinners! There is none greater than another. And Katie has done nothing wrong. She is in her rumschpringe. Who are you to judge her or her new freind?”

  “Nee, Freida. My parents thanked Gott that you left the bakery and married a gut Amish man. But you should have fixed up Katie with one of our buwes when you had the chance. I know of several buwes that are interested in her, or at least they were before she started dating the Englischer.” Anna's voice was getting louder as she spoke “Perhaps they will not be so quick to want to court her now.”

  The bishop's frau walked into the kitchen. “Was iss letz? We can hear you outside. That is no way to act on the Lord's day.”

  Katie was quick to respond. “We're sorry, Mary. We should have been more careful.”

  “Nee, I was telling Katie and Freida how the community feels about Bella. Katie should quit her job, join the church and find a gut Amish man to court. . . and marry. Mamm and Dat said—“

  “Anna, you should not be repeating things that you hear your mamm and dat talk about. And Katie should be certain of what she wants before she joins the church. I am thinking this is why she is dating the Englischer, because she is not yet certain that it is the thing to do.” When she went on, her voice was softer, and her expression held more understanding than Katie would ever have expected from any of their leadership. “We must all follow our hearts, jah?”

  Katie could only nod. Anna's words had hurt, but she was not surprised by them, especially after what had already been said about her decorations on the bakery window. However, it was more than a little surprising to hear what sounded like encouragement for her to date Travis. . . from Mary. . . the Bishop's frau. But her words made sense, and it was what the preachers said in church. . . to be certain before taking a step that is, for all accounts, an irreversible commitment.

  Anna huffed out a breath and pushed through the kitchen door, allowing it to smack shut behind her. Mary walked over and put an arm around Katie's shoulders. “Just you remember, Katie Chupp, it is much better to choose the Englisch world now, before you are baptized, than to dedicate yourself to our ways and then change your mind.”

  When Katie looked up at her, Mary smiled and then continued. “We want you to be a part of the community. . .” Then, she leaned closer and added, “whether it be plain or Englisch.”

  With one final squeeze, she let go and followed Anna.

  Katie and Freida stood for several minutes, just looking after her. Then they looked at each other and burst into a fit of giggles.

  But Katie realized, now more than ever, that she had some serious thinking ahead of her.

  * * *

  Later that evening, after Katie and her family had finished supper, her dat approached her.

  “Katie, your mamm and I would like to speak with you. Maybe we should go back to the kitchen while the others are outside doing their chores.”

  Katie followed her parents into the kitchen. After sitting back down at the table that had recently held their supper, Caleb looked over at his frau before turning back to Katie.

  “Dochder, there is much talk among the plain people concerning the situation in town. . . and our family. The bishop sought me out to ask if you are going to join the next class in order to be baptized.” When Katie opened her mouth to speak, he put his hand up to stop her. After a few seconds, he continued.

  “He also said that some of the men have spoken to him about the new counter person at the bakery and her condition. They shared their concerns about your working so closely with her, especially since you are now the only plain employee at the bakery. Indeed, you are now working only with this young maedel, along with the buwe you are dating, his schweschder, and your employer.”

  Martha got up from the table and began to prepare kaffe. She glanced over at Katie, gave her a timid smile, then turned away.

  Caleb's voice was quiet, yet firm when he added, “Katie, we feel it is best at this time for you to give your notice at the bakery so Amelia can replace you with someone more. . . suitable.”

  Katie looked at her dat, more than a bit stunned. Katie knew that Mrs. O'Neal depended on her. She did all of the baking. What would Mrs. O'Neal do if she left?

  The bakery would likely close. Many of the plain folks could bake as well as Katie or better, but no one she knew would be willing to dedicate so much of their time to baking, especially when it would not be for their own family.

  She tried to say that very thing to her dat, and still be respectful of him. “But Dat, Mrs. O'Neal would never have opened the bakery if not for Freida and me. She said she wanted to offer the baked goods and desserts to the whole town that Freida and I sold at her parents' roadside stand.”

  “That makes no difference now. Things have changed, as you know. Things are very different there. Not too long ago, you and Freida worked together, without anyone else around, except for Amelia Simpkins. When she hired Travis, your mamm and I talked about you leaving the bakery. . . then when you painted the pictures on the window at Christmas—”

  “Caleb, are you sure we need to do this?”

  “Jah, Martha. I am sure. I just wish we had done this before Katie got the notion to date the Englischer. Then maybe she would have already joined the church an
d be married to Marvin or David Schmidt, or perhaps one of the Yoder buwes, or one of the other buwes in the community.”

  Katie felt panic take hold of her. They were not just wanting her to give up her job then. They were wanting her to give up Travis as well.

  She struggled to control the tears that were suddenly filling her eyes. “Dat, I was never interested in one of the Schmidt buwes or the Yoder buwes, or any of the other buwes in the community. Travis Davis is the only buwe to catch my attention. I did not try to seek the attention of him, or any other Englisch buwe, but he is the only buwe I am interested in courting. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I know he is important to me.”

  “But dochder, he is an Englischer!” Martha spoke quietly, without accusation, but her voice held a sadness that Katie could hardly bear.

  “Jah, he is an Englischer. And I did not plan to court an Englischer, but I cannot help it that he is one.” Katie took a deep breath before continuing. “But Mamm, even if he wasn't, I do not know if I will ever take my vows and be baptized. The bishop told me that I must be certain—and I am not.”

  “Nee, you were fine until you started hanging out with that buwe. . . he has turned your thoughts from the plain world to the Englisch world.” The sound of shame in her dat's voice was near to breaking Katie's heart. This was the one thing she had not looked forward to, the one worry she had never shared with Travis, the thing that could bring all of his worries to bear, having to choose between her family and the man she loved.

  “Dat, you don't understand. It's not that the Englisch world is tempting me. . . not really. And it's not Travis. If he were plain, I would still not be ready.”

  Caleb jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair. Smacking his closed fists on the table, he shouted, “I don't believe that! I cannot accept that!”

  “I am sorry, Dat. I must choose. . . and I have chosen the Englisch world.” The words tumbled out, and though they surprised her, Katie realized they were completely the truth. This was what she had been preparing for. She had just not been ready to admit it to herself.

  Quickly, she walked out, practically running up the stairs to her bedroom. Before closing her door, she heard her mamm speaking.

  “Let her go, Caleb. We cannot force her to choose our way. We can only pray for her, that Gott will guide her, that she will make the right decision.”

  When she heard a door slam, Katie gently closed her door and moved towards her bed, falling to her knees.

  Dear Gott, please help Mamm and Dat, and my family, to understand that I'm not trying to hurt them or be disrespectful. But I cannot make the commitment to the church that they are asking me—expecting me—to make.

  I do not want to lose my family, or my freinden, but I feel like I am making the right choice in not taking my vows, but going down another path. Please give me the courage to do what I feel led to do. . .

  — SIX —

  Monday morning, after dropping Amelia off at the bakery and chatting with Katie and Bella for a few minutes, Andrew headed across the street to the Irish Blessings Cafe.

  Looking around downstairs and not finding Sean, he headed upstairs to the office. When he walked in, Sean was hurriedly putting his wallet away, and he had a strange look on his face.

  “Morning, nephew.” With a laugh, he added, “I expected to find you downstairs, perhaps in the kitchen, having your third cup of coffee.”

  “Now don't ya be makin fun of me because I'm not a morning person. I canna help it if I need coffee before I can wake up and face the world. . . or at least. . . customers.” Sean had barely gotten the words out before a huge yawn stopped further comments.

  “I have news for ya, Sean. Even after you've had several cups of coffee, you're still not a morning person. But since you're running the cafe just fine, I have no complaints.”

  Sean's face fairly lit up before he cleared his throat and turned away, pretending to pat himself on the back. “Thanks. I'll take that compliment, since I know how hard I've been workin to do a good job for ya.”

  Andrew laughed at his nephew's antics and said nothing about his obvious excitement at Andrew's praise. “All right now. Let's head down to the kitchen for some of that delicious coffee, why don't we. I've got a few things to do here before I head out to run errands.”

  Sean nodded and moved to the stairs, stepping ahead when Andrew motioned for him. “Be sure to watch out for extra traffic, Uncle; today is the last day of school and you'll be running errands about the same time that school lets out.”

  “I don't plan to be running errands that late. I should be done by a bit after lunchtime.”

  “Yeah, that's why I warned ya, because school is only half a day today.” Sean insisted, picking up his mug from the shelf over the sink and moving to the counter to pour coffee.

  “How do you know so much about school and when it lets out, or when the last day comes?” Andrew puzzled over it while pouring his own coffee. “Who do you know who still attends school?” It was more than a little curious that Sean knew anything about the local schools.

  “Uh, Travis must have mentioned something about his sister—his brothers and sister—getting out early today because it's the last day of school.” Sean answered, but did not meet Andrew's searching look.

  Andrew also thought it strange that Sean's face looked suddenly flushed. . . but told himself perhaps it was the hot coffee his nephew had quickly downed.

  “Speaking of the Davis family. . .” Andrew left the words hanging there, hoping to elicit a response from his elusive nephew.

  “Aye?” Was the only response Sean made though. “Well, that's one of my errands today. It's been too long since we dropped in on them, don't ya think?”

  Sean said nothing so Andrew went on. “And it's one reason I dropped by to talk to you. You always enjoy visiting the Davis family as much as I do. . . would you be wanting to go with me?”

  “Sure, I could find time for it, I think.” Sean's response stirred Andrew's curiosity again. He had always enjoyed visiting with the Davis family. What could be going on that had him sounding like it would be a chore?

  “All right then. Let's go on over and visit with Mrs. Davis. I'd like to know how she's doing.” Andrew moved toward the door, then looked back at his nephew, who hadn't moved.

  “Actually, I was hoping to get a few things done here before we go. If it's okay with you, let's wait until after the lunch crowd is over and then go.”

  Andrew blew out a breath. “I thought you said I should try to be done with everything before lunch because of the school letting out early. Why should we wait? I'd really rather go on now and get it done.”

  “Well then, in that case, you go on ahead. I'll beg off today and go with ya another time.” Sean turned to the sink, rinsing out his coffee mug. . . even though it had not been completely empty.

  “Sean, I know you're not exactly a morning person, but you might consider another cup of coffee. You're not makin much sense this mornin.”

  When Sean said nothing, Andrew pressed. “I was really hoping you'd go with me. I expected you to go. . . you're usually eager to visit them. What's going on with you today?”

  “Nothing. Nothing.” Sean looked uncomfortable. He poured himself another cup of coffee before turning back towards his uncle. “Uncle, we have never went this early before. Isn't it just possible Mrs. Davis isn't ready for company this soon? Not everyone is an early riser like you.”

  Andrew stood there, not sure what to say. Surely it wasn't that early. What was going on with his nephew?

  However, after nearly a minute of just standing in the kitchen, staring at his nephew, finally he gave in. “Well, all right. I'll go run my other errands this morning and come by to pick you up around one o'clock. Then we'll run over to visit the Davis clan. Does that work better for you?”

  “Sure, that works fine. I'll be ready at one.”

  After his uncle had left, Sean noticed the cup of cold coffee from earlier and reache
d to pour it out. When he picked up the mug, he noticed his hand shaking a bit.

  Whew! This is really getting to me! It was hard enough trying to run a cafe with hardly any experience. Although it seems to be going great. . .

  But with trying to make this thing work. . . while hiding it from everyone. It was enough to drive a man crazy! Almost enough even to make a man swear off women. . . except then there'd be nothing to look forward to each day!

  And his uncle had almost caught him looking at the pictures in his wallet. What would he think of me if he knew. . . he surely wouldn't understand.

  Sooner or later, it would all come out and everyone would have a fit. I don't think anyone will approve of it. But what else can I do? I'll just have to hide it for as long as I can. . . then I guess I'll have to face the consequences. He rubbed a hand over his face. Oh man, what a mess!

  I wish I could tell Uncle Andrew; he might understand, considering he got involved with someone a lot older than he was, and then he married her. But without being sure he would be on their side, it was not a risk Sean could take. He might fire me and send me straight back home!

  Sean knew age differences could be a big deal; which was precisely why they were trying to hide their relationship. Not that we have much of one now. . . he thought bitterly.

  Someday, when the time is right. . . when our families might be more understanding. . . we could. . . maybe.

  There was something about her that made him feel strong and brave. . . and more like a man than he'd ever felt before. . . but he didn't want to do anything to get her into any trouble.

  She cared for him; he knew she did. She had given him several pictures; he also had ones he had taken with his own camera. He still remembered the thrill when she had asked him to print two copies of some of the pictures, so that she could have copies of the ones they were both in. . . and the few she had taken of him as well.

  He had barely breathed that afternoon, listening over the whir of the printer in the office, praying his uncle wouldn't come up to check on him while he waited for the slow contraption to finish the job.