“I am leading my own life,” she declared. “But sometimes plans change.”
“Mine won’t.”
“What would you do if you couldn’t purchase the land you wanted back home?”
“I won’t think in terms of failure. I can’t.” He hoped Helen didn’t notice the hint of fear that crept into his voice.
She laid a hand on his arm. “Then I pray God allows you to fulfill your dream.”
* * *
Helen pulled her hand away and clasped her fingers tightly together. She didn’t want Mark to think she was bold. Something in the sound of his voice told her how critical the success of his plan was to him. She sensed there was more to the story than a desire to start a business in Pennsylvania. Something about it was vitally important to him. Perhaps it involved the woman waiting for him back home. Maybe he didn’t want to marry until he could support a wife and children. It made sense that Mark was that kind of man.
She remained silent for the rest of the ride home. Mark didn’t seem to notice, or at least he didn’t comment. When they reached the workshop, he stopped beside her bicycle, and she got down. “Danki, Mark, I will carefully consider all the things you have told me.”
“I hope I have helped.”
“You have. I once thought you were arrogant and judgmental, but I was wrong. You have been both a good teacher and a friend. Danki.”
He inclined his head. “I don’t have many friends. I’m honored you count me as one of yours.”
She watched him drive away, wishing there was some way she could pay him back for all he had done for her. Perhaps the day would come when she could.
Paul was standing just outside the front door of the building. Mark waved to him, and Paul waved back as he ambled toward Helen as she was getting on her bike. “My brother has been taking you up in his buggy often these days.”
“He has been very kind to me considering what a problem Clyde has been.” She didn’t want to discuss her relationship with Mark.
Paul folded his arms over his chest and leaned one shoulder against the wall of the building. “I thought maybe I should tell you a few things about my brother. Things I figured you might not know. He doesn’t like to talk about himself.”
“I don’t listen to gossip.”
“It’s not gossip. I love my brother, and I want him to be happy. I have a feeling you want the same thing.”
She glanced at him and saw he was watching her intently. She hadn’t given Paul enough credit. He was more than a jokester. “Your brother has told me quite a bit about himself.”
He arched one eyebrow. “Now that is surprising. I don’t want you getting your hopes up where he is concerned. He’s a good catch, but he has an understanding with a girl in Pennsylvania.”
“I know. My aunt told me that the first day I came here.”
“I guess I didn’t realize it was common knowledge.”
“It is. I also know Mark is committed to running his own business someday.”
“Committed is a good word. He doesn’t compromise. He sets his mind to something and works until he has achieved it.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I have the feeling that he likes you. Even admires you.”
“I like and admire Mark, too. There’s nothing wrong in that.”
“Maybe not, but if you expect him to change his mind about his plans to return to fair Angela and his dreams back home, I’m here to tell you that you are wasting your time. Call it friendly advice, or call it a warning if you will. I like you, too. I don’t want to see you get hurt, either.”
“Then I thank you for your friendly advice, but it isn’t needed. Mark and I are becoming friends, that’s all. He’s a good teacher, and I’m a willing pupil. Besides, I have plans of my own, and they don’t include starting a romantic relationship with anyone, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”
“It’s good to know where you stand.” He straightened, touched the brim of his hat and walked away.
Helen watched him go then got on her bike and pedaled for home. She had two uninterrupted miles to consider her feelings for Mark Bowman. By the time she reached her aunt’s home, she had come to the decision that they might remain friends, but she would guard her heart against any deeper feelings. She wouldn’t come between him and the woman named Angela.
During the rest of the week, Helen made a point to avoid Mark as much as possible. When she couldn’t, she maintained a friendly demeanor. She wondered if Paul had spoken to Mark about his concerns for the two of them. She had no way of knowing. She certainly couldn’t bring herself to ask Mark outright.
With Mark’s suggestions for her business in mind, she got ready for Friday’s market. She asked Samuel to make her some wooden holders that would allow her to set her display trays at a slight angle for easier viewing. He offered her the loan of a canopy, which she gladly accepted. She had Jessica help her pay for her booth space online and order acrylic cases and domes from a bakeware website. The cases hadn’t arrived by Thursday morning, and she resigned herself to doing without them for this week’s market.
When Helen came home from work, she found Charlotte had spent the afternoon making a mountain of dog treats for Clyde from the recipe the Englisch woman with the bassett hound had given her. Clyde was snoring in the corner, and Helen wondered how many he had sampled.
To Helen’s further surprise, Rebecca, Anna and Fannie showed up on Thursday evening to help her bake. Apparently, Mark had mentioned her project, and the women of the family were eager to see that Helen had a successful second day at the market. They were soon mixing, baking and sampling a variety of cupcakes, cake pops and even pie pops at Rebecca’s suggestion. Rebecca donated a jar each of homemade peach, cherry and pumpkin pie filling. Charlotte happily joined in, but Helen noticed that she had trouble remembering how to seal the edges of the pie pops. Helen had to go back and reinforce all her efforts.
The kitchen was full of delicious aromas and cheerful chatter as the Bowman women regaled Helen with stories of their husbands and children. Good-natured teasing and a genuine interest in Helen’s project soon had her feeling as if she had known these women for years. Surrounded by her new friends, Helen missed her mother and her sister even more. They would’ve enjoyed being part of the frolic. In spite of her sister’s recent actions, Helen realized she had many fond memories of their times together while they were growing up. Perhaps she could forgive Olivia one day. Maybe she could forgive herself, too.
As the women were getting ready to leave that evening, Charlotte went out onto the porch and started calling for Juliet and clapping her hands. Charlotte turned to Helen, who had come outside with her. “I can’t understand why Juliet is out so late this evening. She should’ve come in for supper before now.”
Helen laid a hand on her aunt’s arm. “Juliet has been missing for over a week now.”
Charlotte looked puzzled for a few seconds then her gaze cleared. “That’s right. How silly of me to forget that. I’m just so used to having her here with me.”
She patted Helen’s hand. “You and Mark are looking for her. Clyde certainly has taken a liking to you and to Mark. Dogs know things about people. I think I will go to bed now. I’m very tired. Come along, Clyde. Good night, all.”
The dog trotted after her, his long brown ears occasionally getting in the way of his feet and causing him to stumble, although he didn’t seem to mind. The dog hadn’t made a single visit to his tree since the night Mark hit Helen in the eye with his slipper. Hopefully, the dog’s nocturnal visits were done for good.
Helen followed Anna out to her buggy. “Does my aunt seem more confused to you?”
Anna shook her head. “Charlotte has always been a little scatterbrained. She’s fine. I know she is happy to have you here.”
“Really?”
“She was just tell
ing me yesterday when she stopped in for coffee what a blessing it has been having you stay with her.”
“That’s good to know. She has been a blessing to me, as well. I’m afraid I have been a self-centered person for much of my life. I didn’t always consider how other people felt.”
“We have seen none of that in you,” Rebecca said from the front seat of the buggy.
“I hope I am improving. The good Lord has given me a lot to think about in these past weeks.” Foremost among her thoughts was Mark and her growing feelings for him, but she didn’t share that with anyone.
“Mark mentioned you wished to sell some of your baked goods in my store. Bring them by whenever it’s convenient.”
“Whatever I don’t sell tomorrow I’ll bring over.” Helen waved goodbye to her company and went inside.
That night she sat down to pen a letter to her parents. She didn’t want them to fret about her any longer. She had worried them enough.
After finishing her letter, she went to bed and tried to sleep, but her eyes wouldn’t stay shut. She was too excited for the coming day. Would she earn enough money to make all her work worthwhile? Would she remember all that Mark had taught her? Would it rain?
She rolled over and hugged her pillow. She was dying to know one certain thing. Would Mark be there again?
* * *
Mark sat up and glanced at the clock beside his bed. It was five thirty in the morning. He listened closely, but heard only the wind in the tree branches, the murmur of the river and the chirping of night insects. Clyde had failed to show again. Mark flopped back against his pillow with a big grin and stretched. Maybe the foolish dog was howling under someone else’s window for a change, or maybe he was home sleeping as he should be.
Today was the day Helen was going to try selling at the farmers’ market again. Mark was eager to see how much of his advice she took and how much her sales would improve because of it. He did want her to succeed.
Helen’s resiliency in trying again so soon was admirable. He didn’t know how she could shake off her humiliation so easily and get right back into the fray. She was a remarkable woman. Not at all like his first impression of her. Or his second. Or his third. He chuckled to himself at the memory of their meetings and her abject failures in her attempts to ask him for a job.
Helen Zook was persistent if nothing else. She would succeed at her baking business or go down in smoke and flames trying.
After breakfast, Mark, Paul, Samuel and Isaac went down to the workshop. The rest of the crew soon arrived. Mark kept a lookout for Helen. The surge of happiness that hit him when he saw her took him by surprise.
His uncle handed Mark the clipboard with the daily announcements. Mark read them off and assigned men to each task. The last note on the page took some of the joy out of his day. He’d have to meet with clients this evening.
He looked at Helen. “We are expecting a shipment of lumber and assorted items later today. Helen, why don’t you help Jessica in the office until they arrive. Samuel, I want you to make sure we get the right grade of wood. The company sent us a cheaper grade last time, and I had to send it back.”
“What did you bring us to eat today, Helen?” one of the men asked. It was Adam Knepp, Isaac’s master carver.
“A box of nails and wood chips,” Jessica quipped.
Adam laughed. “Those gingersnaps the other day were as good as my Grosmammi Stutzman used to make.”
Helen inclined her head. “Danki. It was my grandmother’s recipe. Maybe my grandmother and your grandmother knew each other. I didn’t bring anything today as I am selling my goods at the market in Berlin this afternoon. You are welcome to come and purchase some of those gingersnaps.”
Adam shook a finger at her. “I see what your plan is. You ply us with sweets until we expect them, and then you say, “Come buy them,’ thinking we will spend our hard-earned money to enjoy your cooking.”
Mark opened his mouth to defend her but before he spoke, she said, “Exactly. Is it working?”
“It is,” Jessica said, and the men laughed. “My mom and I really enjoyed the oatmeal bread I bought from you last week. Can I buy it from you here?”
Helen smiled at Mark. “Anna says she has room for some of my baking in her gift shop. You should be able to get what you want over there. If you would care to give me your orders, I can make certain I fix what you like.”
Several of the men crowded around her, listing items they wanted. Mark stepped in and raised his voice. “This can wait until break time. She isn’t going home to make up a batch of cookies for you today. We have work to do.”
As the men moved away to get started, Helen remained beside Mark. “I didn’t mean to be a distraction.”
“I would be a poor boss if I couldn’t get them to order baked goods on their own time. Are you ready for this afternoon?”
She nodded. “Anna, Rebecca and Fannie all came over to help me bake last night. I have nearly as much stuff to take as I did that first day.”
He leaned close enough to smell the scent of fresh-baked bread that seemed to cling to her. “That must mean you have some confidence in my advice.”
“I have a lot of confidence in the things you taught me, and I have baked things I think the market customers will enjoy.” She looked down at her hands clasped in front of her. “Will you be going?”
“I wish I could, but don’t count on me. I’m meeting with a couple of clients this evening who want to order a custom bedroom suite. I’m afraid I won’t finish in time to stop by and see how you’re doing.”
She looked up at him with a sweet smile that warmed him clear through. “I have every intention of doing well, God willing. Is it all right if I make up some of my time tomorrow? Jessica has said she has filing I can do.”
“That will be fine. I will be working on that new mantelpiece for a while tomorrow. You can tell me all about your success or failure then.”
“I refuse to think about failure.” She spun around and went into the office.
Mark hadn’t intended to work on the project but if she were going to be here, he would use it as an excuse to spend a little time with her. He liked Helen and enjoyed her company.
He realized he was still staring at the office door that she had vanished through. He spun around and got to work before anyone else noticed that he had a hard time taking his eyes off Helen Zook.
* * *
Charlotte arrived at the right time with the buggy Helen had loaded before she left that morning. The only thing Helen was upset to see was that she had Clyde with her. The dog woofed happily and wagged his tail. He tried to lick Helen’s ear as she climbed in, but she managed to hold him off.
Mark came out of the building and waved to Charlotte before heading around to the lumber storage area. Charlotte turned to Helen. “Isn’t Mark coming with us?”
“He has to meet with some customers.”
“But he came last time.”
“He didn’t go with us. He went on his own.” Helen took the reins and soon had the horse trotting at a brisk pace on the road.
“Clyde would rather have Mark along.” Charlotte looked behind them.
“Clyde and me both,” Helen muttered.
The occasional car or pickup shot around them. One car passed them and then slowed down beside them in the oncoming-traffic lane so that a woman could lean out the car window and snap a picture with her phone. Helen turned her face aside and held up her hand. The car sped on. She turned to see Charlotte also had her hand in front of her face and was holding one of Clyde’s ears over his face.
“They are gone, Aenti,” Helen said, choking back a laugh. She couldn’t wait to share the story with Mark.
Charlotte lowered her hand and dropped Clyde’s ear. “Rude tourists. I have no idea why they feel the need to take pictures of us.”
“They
think we are quaint.”
“Then they are silly, and they need to find better things to do.”
“Let’s hope they are on their way to the farmers’ market and will buy our baked goods.”
Helen was prepared to do whatever it took to make a profit this afternoon. More than anything, she wanted to prove to Mark that she could succeed. Tomorrow morning couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Eleven
A loud howl followed by deep quick barks pushed aside Mark’s pleasant dream and brought him to the edge of wakefulness. He stared at the dark ceiling, wondering if the sound might have been part of his dream. He closed his eyes and tried to slip back into sleep where Helen waited for him with a sweet smile on her lips and her arms out to welcome him.
The howl came again.
Not a dream.
“Unbelievable.” Mark sat up.
He should have been annoyed, but he wasn’t. Clyde’s arrival meant Mark would get to spend an extra hour with the real Helen, not the confusing woman of his dreams who never let him close but who seemed ready to welcome him.
Knowing it wouldn’t do any good to yell at Clyde, Mark got dressed, picked up his boots and went downstairs to open the back door. Clyde came padding in without being called. He woofed once and launched himself at Mark. Prepared for the impact, Mark managed to stay upright but had to drop his boots.
“Why can’t you come calling at a decent hour, Clyde? This is so rude. And now I sound like Charlotte talking to a dog as if you can understand me.”
Mark rubbed Clyde’s big soft ears and then nudged him to the floor. Frisking like a puppy around Mark, Clyde followed him to the front door. Mark opened it and pointed to the road. “Go home.”
Clyde flopped to the floor, put his head on his paws and whined.
“Is that a no?”
Clyde whined again.
“Want to go for a buggy ride?”
Bounding to his feet, Clyde wriggled eagerly. Mark rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “You know what ‘go for a buggy ride’ means, don’t you? I sure wish you would learn ‘go home.’ It’s almost time to get up anyway. Let me get my boots on.”
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