Peach Cobbler Mystery

by Naomi Miller

  The whole situation was beyond frustrating. I mean, she says she cares. . . she acts as if she does. . . but does she really know? How can she really know for sure?

  And am I the right man for her, or should I insist on giving her time to know for sure if she wants me?

  At the same time, he could not stand to think of her being with someone else. Just the thought of it was too painful to bear. I think I've loved her since the moment we met.

  What am I to do?

  — THIRTEEN —

  It all started Wednesday morning. . .

  Bella and Freida had been waiting on customers all morning, when all of a sudden, Bella doubled over in pain.

  “Ow!”

  “Is it the baby? Is the baby coming?” Walter Grayson, who had come in to the bakery for his morning danish, rushed over to the young woman, holding out a hand to her. . . in case she needed it.

  Bella flushed with embarrassment. “No, sir. It's just a cramp. Nothing to be concerned about.”

  “Are you sure, young lady? You don't want to be taking any chances with that baby, you know.”

  “Yes, sir. I'm sure. Besides, I've been getting what the book calls Braxton Hicks contractions. That's normal during these last few weeks.”

  “Well, all right. As long as you're certain.” Walter didn't look completely convinced, but there wasn't anything else he could do about it.

  After he left, Bella sat down at one of the tables for a minute.

  Whew! If the doctor hadn't reassured me that I had weeks to go, I might wonder about it, too. Maybe I should mention the cramps at my appointment next Tuesday.

  After resting a few minutes, she returned to the counter, just in time for another customer.

  * * *

  “Gwen, what's next on the list?” Katie asked, hoping they would be able to finish today's orders soon.

  “Six dozen cupcakes. . . half white and half chocolate. Two dozen with red frosting, two dozen with blue and two dozen with white.” Gwen read from the clipboard holding all the customer orders to be completed on Wednesday. “Red and blue star-shaped sprinkles on the cupcakes with white frosting, and white star-shaped sprinkles on the cupcakes with red and blue frosting.”

  “That sounds easy enough. You want to take that one? If you do, then read me the next order and I'll start on that one.”

  “Sure! I love making cupcakes. . . who doesn't?” Gwen turned to start gathering ingredients, turning back when Katie cleared her throat. “Oh yeah, first I need to read off the next order, don't I?”

  She turned the page on the clipboard to read the next order off to Katie. “The mayor's wife placed an order for a triple chocolate three-layer cake with milk chocolate frosting and dark chocolate shavings.”

  “Hmm. . . that's a new one.” Katie was intrigued. The Mayor's wife almost always presented a bit of a challenge, but this cake sounded almost too simple, for her anyway.

  Gwen's voice was filled with concern. . . and relief. “I'm glad you're doing her cake, instead of me. I'll get started on the cupcakes.”

  Katie was taking the three cake pans out of the oven when the girls heard a loud crash!

  “Katie, come quick!”

  Katie was shocked to hear the fear in Freida's voice. She hurried past the swinging doors to find Freida helping Bella into a chair.

  “Is everyone allrecht? What happened?” Katie asked, not knowing what to expect. Looking down at the floor, she noticed a large wet spot. “Who spilled the water? Bella, did you slip?”

  Bella was shaking her head as Gwen skidded to a stop beside them, an expression of fright and worry on her face. “Gwen, everything is allrecht. Please run get a mop and some floor cleaner.”

  “Katie, wait. That's not plain water.”

  “Not. . .” She looked up at her freind. “What is it, then?” It took a minute for Katie to realize what Freida was trying to tell her. “Is it—? I mean, did Bella's water break?”

  Bella was sitting down, holding her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  “Freida, tell me what happened.” Katie asked her friend.

  “One minute Bella was wiping down the table. Then, when she turned to walk back to the counter, she suddenly bent over and that's when she made a puddle on the floor.”

  “And that's when you called for me?”

  “Jah, I know I should be more prepared, now that I am expecting, but I got so nervous I couldn't think.” Freida still looked quite uneasy.

  Gwen spoke up then. “Aren't you supposed to call her doctor, or take her to the hospital?”

  “Call Ada. I promised her I would call if anything happened.” Bella was insistent.

  “And call Mrs. O'Neal.” Katie added. “She will want to know right away.”

  “Ask her if we should close the bakery and take Bella to the hospital. . . or what?” Freida wanted to know. She was still standing beside Bella, wringing her hands, obviously unsure of what else she should do.

  Gwen picked up the phone and dialed the number of the cafe. A moment later, she was relaying the information. Then she hung up the phone.

  It seemed like only seconds later when Mrs. O'Neal flung open the door. She rushed over to Bella, followed by Sean and Travis.

  “Bella, are you all right?” Amelia asked. “What can I do for you? Do you want to lie down in my office?”

  “I'm fine, Mrs. O'Neal. I've been having cramps all morning, but I thought it was just false labor. You know, it's what they call Braxton-Hicks contractions.” Bella looked bewildered. “But then I guess my water broke, so I think this must be the real thing.” She looked over at Freida then. “Did you call Ada yet? I'm not due. It's too early.”

  “Now don't you fret about that.”

  Everyone looked around to see Ada and Mr. O'Neal walking in. It didn't seem possible that Andrew had had time to pick up Ada and bring her back to the bakery; he must have driven as fast as possible.

  “But I still have several weeks to go.” protested Bella. “I'm not ready—”

  “Shh. Of course you are, dear girl. And you have plenty of helpers right here.” Ada's voice was steady and calm, which was likely what Bella really needed at the moment. “Now, first things first. Is someone timing your contractions?”

  “Nee, we didn't think of that yet. I think someone should call your doctor.” This was from Freida.

  “Wait.” Ada commanded. “I remember he said to time the contractions. He also made a point of saying not to call him until they're less than five minutes apart. And he said first babies take a long time. . . and not to get in a hurry to go to the hospital.”

  “All right, then let's make Bella comfortable. Where should we take you, dear?” Amelia asked.

  “I want to stay here. . . but I can't stay out front, especially in wet clothes.” Bella wailed.

  “I brought your bag with me. I have the clothes you packed for the hospital. I think there would be something that you can change into now. And I can always bring you more clothes.”

  “Good. Then let's go back to my office.” This from Mrs. O'Neal, who still did not sound quite convinced that they should stay where they were.

  — FOURTEEN —

  After Bella had changed into dry clothes, with the help of Mrs. Mueller, Katie and Freida got busy with the few orders that could not wait. Gwen headed back out front to wait on customers, with strict orders to not say anything to them about Bella's current condition. Amelia knew that if customers found out about Bella being in labor, there would be pandemonium in the bakery.

  However, she hadn't counted on the customers insisting on knowing why Bella wasn't working at the counter. Since Gwen wasn't comfortable with not being truthful when asked about what was going on at the moment, she tried to be vague about it, only telling them that Bella was in the kitchen.

  Regardless, it wasn't long until customers were speculating on the reason why, and most everyone came to the conclusion that either there was a problem. . . or the baby
was coming.

  Andrew, Sean or Travis might have helped, but Amelia had sent them back over to the cafe when Ethan had called her, saying there was a crowd of people in the cafe who had apparently come from the bakery and wanted lunch.

  Andrew had gone over with the two young men in case he was needed. Then, when it was obvious they could handle the crowd, he'd headed back to check on Bella and the others.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Katie was glad to have Freida's help. The baking for the day was done and they were putting things in order for the next day the bakery would be open, which would be Friday.

  When Amelia had decided the bakery would close on Thursday, she'd called the one customer who was scheduled to pick up their order on Thursday and asked them if another day was possible. Right now Katie was rushing to get their order finished. . . and making extra cookies and treats so they could keep up with the orders the crowd that had gathered in the bakery were placing while they waited.

  “Freida, I don't know what I would have done without you. Gwen is getting much better at baking, but today has been easier because you already know just what needs doing.”

  “Jah, and it has been gut to have something to do while we wait.”

  Katie was nodding when Freida went on. “You know I miss working with you. Thomas and I had talked about me coming back to work after the bopli is here, but. . .” Freida shrugged, and though Katie wanted to tell her friend that she should come back to work, she knew Freida would be much happier at home being a wife and mother.

  “As much as I would love that, I know we would all understand if you don't. Your family needs you.”

  “Jah.” was all Freida said and they both went back to work.

  Katie was also keeping tabs on what was happening in Mrs. O'Neal's office. . . Bella's contractions were getting stronger and more regular. Although both Amelia and Ada kept trying to convince Bella to lie down on the couch in the office, she just kept walking back and forth, from the far wall in the office, through the kitchen to the back door, and back again, over and over.

  “The doctor says walking is the best thing to help labor to progress. From what the book says, I could be lying down for hours when I reach the hospital. And I can't lie down now. I'm too nervous.” Bella insisted.

  * * *

  While Katie checked in on Bella, Amelia went out to check on Gwen. When she pushed through the swinging doors, she could hardly believe the crowd before her.

  Every single table was claimed and people were standing in small groups all around the room as well.

  “Where did all of these people come from? I thought most of them left.” Amelia asked Gwen, while she rushed to fill the order she had just taken.

  Gwen shrugged as she dropped cookies into a small paper bag. “I don't know. It looks to me like the same group who was here before, and then some.” When Amelia handed over the bag while Gwen filled a coffee cup, she added, “Maybe the original group who went over to the cafe to have lunch, finished and came back here.”

  Shaking her head at the oddities of small towns, Amelia looked toward the swinging doors just as Andrew pushed them open and walked into the room. “I don't suppose we can hide this much longer.” Andrew shook his head in agreement and she went on. “Would you be the one to let everyone know what is going on?”

  “I can do that, darlin'.”

  Amelia moved over to where Gwen was taking the next order, glad to have Andrew's help in this situation. She and Gwen would take care of the customers and let him handle the crowd.

  * * *

  Freida hadn't said much while she was busy with the baking and cleaning, but once she was done with her work, she turned to look at Bella, who was still pacing back and forth.

  “Allrecht. I think I have been more than patient up to now, Bella. Don't you think it's past time that you told us about the father. . . and why he hasn't shown up. . . and why he never married you?”

  “Freida!” Katie was shocked that Freida would mention it now, while Bella was in labor.

  Bella looked at Freida, then at Katie, and finally around to Amelia and Ada.

  “Bella, you don't have to say anything. It's no one's business but yours.” Amelia assured her.

  “I know, but honestly, it'll probably be easier just to let them know. I'd rather tell it now and get it over with. . . I wish I could be sure that I'll never have to talk about it again, but that might be too much to hope for.”

  “Bella,” Katie could see the distress on her face. “You really don't have to say anything. . . to anyone.”

  “Just let me take my time. . . but please don't let it go any farther than this room. I don't think I could stand it if everyone in town knew.” She stopped then, took a deep breath, and started again. “Or maybe it would be better if people knew. Maybe what happened to me could end up helping someone else.”

  At that moment, the back door opened. Travis and Sean walked in, accompanied by Ethan Lewis and Lena Schrock, the local midwife.

  “Hey, Lena stopped at the cafe and we told her she might be needed over here. We kicked out all the customers hanging around, then closed and locked the cafe and headed over here.”

  “Sean, tell me you're joking.” Amelia started. . .

  “Yeah. I'm kidding. The customers finished eating and headed back over here, so we took advantage and locked up, then headed back over, too. The bakery is full of people; I think half the town is in there.”

  Everyone looked at Bella when she suddenly cried out in pain.

  “Honey, do you want to lie down? Why don't I check your vitals?” Lena suggested.

  “No! I have to tell my story now. . . before the baby comes. I have to hurry.”

  “All right, if you're sure.” Lena looked to Katie, but the only response was a tight nod.

  “I'm sure. Travis, please go get your sister. I want her to hear this from me. Hurry!”

  Katie thought she had never seen such a look of shock on his face, but he hurried past the swinging doors into the bakery. In less than a minute, he was back with Gwen in tow.

  “Okay. I'm ready.” Bella took a deep breath, a breath she let go in a whistle. Then she began. . .

  * * *

  “I grew up in a suburb just outside Chicago. My parents have a nice home there, but when I began college, they thought it would be better for me if I lived on campus.” She shrugged a little as she went on. “I thought it was a great idea. I had a nice roommate and it was much easier being close to my classes, the library, and made it easier to hang out with my friends.

  One night, about six weeks after school began, I went to a freshman social. I don't drink alcohol. I never have. But I thought the party would be a great way to make new friends. When a guy came up and asked if he could buy me a drink, I politely said no. And I already had a soft drink that I was sipping on.

  After he walked away, I went to the ladies room. When I came back, I finished my soda and looked around for someone to talk to. It wasn't too long until I started to feel strange. . . very strange. . . dizzy.

  Since I had only been drinking soda, I figured it was because the room was so warm, so I told my new friends I was going back to my dorm room and I left. I vaguely remember leaving, but I don't remember anything else until I woke up the next morning—alone—in the back seat of a car. I didn't even know whose car it was, or how I got there.

  I couldn't really remember anything. I felt like I had woken up from a nightmare, but the images in my head were fuzzy and jumbled. Nothing really made sense. And the more I thought about it, the more I worried that it might not have been a nightmare, but something that had happened to me, and I freaked!

  I grabbed my stuff and ran back to my room. Thankfully, my roommate had already left for class. I took a long shower and put on my pajamas and went to bed. I cried and cried, because I knew somehow that something terrible had happened to me. I didn't tell anyone; I just kept it all to myself.

  Three weeks later, I misse
d my period. It was pretty easy by then to figure out what had happened.

  I withdrew from school, went home and told my mom I needed a break. She could see that something was wrong, but since I refused to talk about it, she had no idea what had happened.

  When both my parents kept after me to explain what was going on and why I had left school, I packed my things and left.

  I drove and drove, until I stopped here for coffee, and to use the ladies room. The first person I ran into was Mrs. Mueller. She was so sweet. I guess she could see that something was wrong. Then she did the strangest thing. . . she asked if I needed a place to stay. And somehow I knew this would be a safe place, so I said yes. She didn't ask any questions; just took me back to her house and helped me settle into a room.

  It was she who suggested I apply for a job here at the bakery. And honestly, the longer I stay, the more I love this town.

  I never, ever want to live in a big city again, or even near one. I don't ever want to go anywhere you can get drugged and bad things can happen to you. I just want to stay here and raise my baby. It's not her fault that this happened to me. When I met my parents in January, I told them what happened. They were furious that I didn't tell them sooner, and that I had left home.

  They kept talking about me giving up the baby and going back to college. I can tell you right now, that is never going to happen. I'm never going back there. And I'm not giving up my baby, either. She's the only good thing to come out of this mess.

  And as much as I hate thinking of what must have happened, and the result of it, I will do anything to make sure nothing like that ever happens to any of the girls who live in this community.

  I'm especially concerned about the Amish and Mennonite girls. How would they ever suspect that such evil exists? I would hate for anything like that to happen to you, Katie. . . or you, Gwen.”

  * * *