She sat down on the stool behind the cash register and looked around. Could she run a store? She knew a little about helping customers from working in the flower shop. God had given her such a great opportunity, but could she really run the store or would she be better off selling it?
Beth heard the front door open and looked up to see five women walk into the store including Janice from the craft store.
“Please tell me the store will stay open,” Janice pleaded walking towards Beth.
“It was a terrible thing that happened to Mrs. Wilson. Are you taking over?” another woman asked.
Beth stood up. “Mrs. Wilson left the store to me in her will. I just found out yesterday so I haven’t really decided what I am going to do with it.”
“Oh my goodness, please don’t sell or close or anything like that. I have no other place to buy my sewing material,” one women begged.
“Yes, Mrs. Wilson always saved me the scraps from her quilts for my daughter so she could practice. And if ever we needed advice, she was always here to answer our questions or show us the latest stitches,” another woman said.
Another woman who Beth recognized from the pet store next door, said, “you must be Beth then? Kathryn always used to brag about a cute little Amish girl that made the most beautiful quilts and that she had taught her everything she knew.”
Beth smiled. “Yes it is me. I have been quilting under Kathryn’s guidance since I was a child.”
“Well Beth, it’s up to you what you do with the store, but just know that your business will be plentiful should you decide to keep it. There are a lot of people who quilt,” Janice said, smiling at Beth. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
After the women left, Beth went over and put the Closed sign in the window and locked the door. She needed time to think. Going into the back stock room, she marveled at how organized Kathryn was. Bolts of material were all stacked according to texture and color, and each drawer had its contents labeled. She heard a knock at the door and went into the main store and saw her new brother-in-law at the door peering through the glass.
“Caleb, what a welcome surprise,” Beth said as she opened the door.
“Rebecca said you would be coming to the store today. I was in town and thought I would stop by and see how you are doing,” Caleb said, taking a look around.
“Ach, Caleb, I don’t know what to do. I’m hoping that Gott will guide me.”
“Beth, only you can decide what you need to do, but let me just say, if you ever need any help, you can ask me.”
“Well, while you are here, could you show me what these books are on the counter?” Beth asked as she went over to the counter. “They are all filled with numbers and I have no idea what they are.”
Opening them up, Caleb took a look at a few pages. “These are very simple. It’s her inventory. She keeps track of every sale, every piece of material sold, every thread, button, just about everything is in these books.” Looking over at the cash register he said, “she probably prefers tracking everything by hand because her register looks like it’s a modern one that keeps track of everything in its computer.”
Caleb went on to explain to Beth what each entry was and how Kathryn kept track of everything. Beth looked up at Caleb. “Okay, I think I understand them now. They didn’t make any sense to me when I first looked at them.”
“Beth, you can do this. Mrs. Wilson kept very precise books so it will be easy. Gott has given you a great opportunity and you must listen to Him,” Caleb said, putting his hand on Beth’s shoulder. “Your family is here with you to help you.”
“So you think I should keep the store then?”
“I think you should at least give it a try. If within a year it doesn’t work out, then you can make a decision. Follow Gott and follow your heart,” Caleb said. “I have to leave now. But think about what I’ve said.”
After Caleb left, Beth sat for a long time in the dark storeroom silently praying and thinking about what she should do. Perhaps now that she owned the store, Adam would change his mind about leaving. Maybe now that she was a business owner, he would want to settle down with her and be happy leading a quiet Amish life.
Finally reaching a decision, she picked up the keys and walked out of the store. She needed to go to the market and give her leave notice. She couldn’t work two jobs at once. There was a reason Kathryn left her this store. Beth knew the store was Kathryn’s love and joy, and Beth was not going to let her down. She would at least give it a year as Caleb mentioned. With the help of her family and of God, she knew she could do it.
After giving her leave notice at the market, she walked down to the local post office were there was a bulletin board for anyone looking for help. She asked the clerk for a piece of paper and wrote out a small note:
Looking for a handyman to make some renovations. Please see Beth at the Quilt Cabin.
She knew she could ask her brother in law, but he was so busy with his own business, she didn’t want to intrude. This was also something she needed to do on her own. She had some plans in her head and she was going to see them through. The Quilt Cabin was going to be the most popular place for quilting and sewing supplies in the County.
* * *
Chapter 6
The Quilt Cabin had been open for a week and already business was busier than Beth expected. Not only were there many people in the area that sewed or quilted, there were several that wanted to learn. She had so many people come in asking if they could learn, that it gave Beth the idea to start teaching classes.
Beth was standing at one of her drawers counting spools of thread, when she heard the jingle of the bell. She looked up and saw a tall Amish man standing quietly at the counter, looking around.
“May I help you?” Beth asked smiling, thinking that his mother probably sent him for supplies.
“I’m looking for Beth.”
“I am Beth.”
“Gut morning, my name is Isaac. I’ve come about the handyman job. Are you still looking for someone?” he asked, tipping his hat to her.
“Jah, I am. Do you have any renovation experience?” she asked coming around the corner of the counter.
“Jah, not a lot, but I love to build things. What is it you are looking to renovate?”
“Come and I’ll show you,” she said motioning him to follow her.
The back of the store had two rooms; one was used for stock and the other was half empty and just contained some old storage boxes.
“I’d like this room here turned into the stock room, and then I’d like to turn the stock room into a quilting classroom, since it’s a bigger room. So I would need all the shelves moved and rebuilt, all the stock moved, and then I’d like a huge quilting frame built for the middle of the classroom, with benches made to line the walls.”
Taking a look around, Isaac turned to Beth. “Jah, I can do this and it shouldn’t take me very long. I built a quilting frame for my mamm a few years ago.”
“Wonderful! When can you start, Isaac?”.
“I could start this afternoon, if you’d like. I’ll just need to go home and get some tools first.”
“Danke! I so appreciate your help.”
* * *
After two weeks of renovations, Isaac had finally finished the major changes and was building some benches for the classroom. He had come to enjoy their conversations while he worked. Taking a break, he walked out to see Beth looking very confused as she was going through her books.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he said as he sat on the small stool in the corner.
Beth smiled. “You don’t happen to know anything about accounting do you?” she asked casually.
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Where did you learn about accounting?”
“Math was my best subject in school and I worked for an accounting firm for a while as a clerk and delivery person. I learned a lot about business and books. After that, I helped a friend run his buggy rep
air business for a while before my parents moved out here.”
For the next hour, Isaac explained many things that Beth had no clue about. There was one thing she was good at and that was making quilts...but math had never been a strong subject for her.
“Isaac, would you consider staying on and running my books and helping me around the shop?” she asked. “The pay wouldn’t be great, but it would be something, at least until you can find another job.”
He looked at Beth and smiled. He really liked her and found her so easy to talk to. “I would really like that, Beth,” he said, excited about the fact he would get to spend more time with her.
Right at that moment, the door opened and Beth looked up to see Adam walk in. Glancing over at Isaac, he looked at Beth and smiled. “Hello, stranger. I’m sorry I haven’t been around; been kind of busy.”
Beth smiled when she saw Adam. She had actually been so busy with the renovations she hadn’t really thought much about him. “That’s okay, Adam.” she motioned towards Isaac. “This is Isaac. He’s been doing renovations for me,” Beth said smiling. “Isaac, this is my friend, Adam. He was my first friend when I started working at the market.”
Adam just nodded at Isaac then turned to Beth. “Do you want to go for lunch? I have something I need to ask you.”
Beth looked over at Isaac. “Isaac would you mind watching the store? I won’t be long.”
“Jah, sure Beth. I still have some work to do in the back,” Isaac said, trying to hide his disappointment. He loved their lunch hour conversations.
Adam and Beth went to their favorite bench in the park. “So how long has Isaac been working with you?”
“About two weeks now. He has done a really good job with the renovations and I just found out he knows some accounting so he’s going to help me with my business.”
“You mean he’ll be working there with you full time?” Adam asked.
“Jah, I hope that doesn’t bother you?” Beth said looking at him sideways.
“Nee, just wondering. Umm…I have to ask you something very important,” he said.
Holding her breath, she was hoping that her prayers to Gott were going to be answered.
Adam picked up her hand and held it in his. Beth’s heart started beating faster and she could feel her hands starting to shake.
“Jah, Adam?” she said breathlessly, hoping that this was the moment she had been waiting for.
Adam cleared his throat. “If I was considering leaving, would you come with me?”
Looking at Adam shocked, Beth dropped her hand from his and said, “you can’t be serious, Adam?”
“I’m thinking of it. Why? You look disappointed,” Adam said. “I need to start making plans and want to know if you will join me. You don’t need to give me an answer now, but promise me you will think about it.”
Going back to work, Beth tried to concentrate on what she was doing. Part of her was very disappointed, but another part of her was shocked and angry that Adam was truly thinking of leaving...and expected her to leave. She had finally met a special man and she was going to lose him. What if this was her chance to find happiness? Could she really leave her family, the Quilt Cabin, and Gott to be with him?
“Are you okay, Beth?” Isaac asked later on that afternoon.
“Jah, why?”
“You just seem so preoccupied since you came back from lunch. It’s none of my business, but are you and Adam dating?”
Beth smiled, trying to hide her feelings, “Nee, we are not dating but I hope to be soon.”
Isaac looked away to hide his disappointment. “Well maybe one day you will.”
Adam became a constant visitor to the store, much to Isaac’s dismay. For some reason he didn’t trust him. He seemed to have an influence on Beth and she seemed to be so taken with him.
* * *
Three days later, Isaac went into the market to pick up a few groceries on his way home from work. While he was standing looking for an item on the shelf, he heard a familiar voice in the next aisle. Going to the end he peeked to find Adam standing there talking to one of the grocery clerks. Adam knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop but couldn’t help it.
“Yes, I am definitely going to leave,” Adam said.
“Oh yeah? When? Where are you going?” the other boy asked.
“I’m not sure when. I have to tie up some loose ends and make some plans. I need to see what is out there. I can’t just settle here without seeing part of the world.”
“What do your parents think?” the boy asked.
“They don’t know yet. I have only told one other person,” Adam responded.
So he is thinking of leaving, Adam thought, what if he tries to convince Beth to go with him? I can’t imagine her agreeing to leave everything she has worked so hard for. Could that other person he mentioned be Beth? Could that be why she has seemed so withdrawn lately?
Isaac went home that night torn between whether he should mention something to Beth or not. After all, it was none of his business, but he was starting to really like her and he’d planned on asking her to go for ice cream soon. He had a feeling Adam would try to convince Beth to leave with him, and he knew that would not be God’s will.
* * *
Chapter 7
Beth had just finished serving a customer when Isaac decided to talk to Beth about the issue that was on his heart.
“Beth, I need to talk to you about something,” he said, trying to hide his uneasiness.
Looking concerned, Beth asked, “is it about the business? Are we in trouble?”
“Nee, nee. It’s something personal,” he said. “I was in the market the other day and I overhead Adam saying he was planning on leaving. Did you know that?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. He told me the other day at lunch,” she said. “He asked me to think about joining him.”
Looking shocked, Adam said, “you aren’t seriously thinking about it, are you?”
“I don’t know. I’m still deciding,” she said. “That’s all I have been thinking about.”
“Beth, you have worked so hard getting this store up and running. What about your family? They need you. Gott needs you,” he said concerned. “Why would you even consider leaving all this behind and run away with this man?”
“Adam, what I decide to do is my business and my business alone. It is of no concern to you.”
“But Beth, I was only looking out for you. I think if you left it would be a very big mistake.”
“Well, whatever I decide will be my decision and no one else’s,” Beth said, turning and walking into the back room. Who does he think he is, sticking his nose in my business? Could he be a bit jealous of the fact I have feelings for Adam?
* * *
After supper, Beth went to sit out on the porch. It was the type of evening she just wanted to sit and clear her mind of all her troubles. Beth’s mind was in such turmoil, she needed this opportunity to quietly sit by herself and think.
“What is my shveshtah thinking about?” Emma said, coming out on the porch to join Beth.
Looking up at her, Beth smiled. “Have you ever liked someone and they put you in a spot where you need to make a decision, but you don’t want to?”
Nodding her head, she said, “a few times. Why? What’s going on?”
“Well there is this man,” Beth started.
“Do you mean Isaac?”
“Nee, not Isaac. His name is Adam. I met him when I first started working at the market,” Beth said moving, so Emma could sit beside her. “He is handsome, he makes me laugh and I can’t stop thinking about him.”
“So you really like this man?”
“Jah, I think he might be the one,” Beth said. “I have never been in love so I am not sure, but I do know I can’t wait to see him and my heart flutters when he comes into the store to visit me.”
“So what is the problem? Has he told you how he feels?”
Shaking her head, Beth said, “Not exactly, but he wa
nts me to leave with him. He wants to leave the community and explore what’s out in the world.”
Emma frowned. “You’re not thinking about it, are you?”
Beth put her hands over her face. “I don’t know, I just don’t know. A part of me wants to go and see what the world is all about but another part can’t leave my faith and family. I know that Mamm and Daed would be so disappointed with me, not to mention I have the Quilt Cabin to think about.”
“I can’t tell you what to do Beth, but think about this...you have been given a great opportunity. You have your own business and it isn’t everyday that someone of your age gets a chance to make something of themselves in this way. If you leave, you go into a world you know nothing about. Besides, what type of job would you be able to do? Would you really be happy working as a cashier for the rest of your life, knowing you gave up the business that was gifted to you?”
Beth nodded her head, knowing her sister had a point.
“Not to mention, this man has not even come out to say he has feelings for you— he has only asked you to go with him. There is no real commitment there,” Emma added. “Without a commitment, there is no guarantee he will stay with you.”
Beth looked at her sister.“How did you get to be so smart?” hugging Emma, she said, “I should go to bed, I have lots of thinking to do.”
* * *
A few days later, Beth was finishing up in the back room of the shop when she heard the door open. Isaac had already gone home for the evening so she was alone.
“Beth, are you here?” she heard Adam call out.
“Yes I am in the back. Just a second,” she called out.
Coming to the front of the store, she found Adam pacing back and forth in front of the counter.
“Adam, what is it?”
“Beth, have you given any thought about leaving?”
“As a matter of fact I have. Why?”
“Because I have decided. I am leaving and I’m leaving tomorrow morning,” he said. “Are you coming?”
AMISH ROMANCE: Three Amish Sisters Box Set: PLUS NEW BONUS BOOK - Grace's Hope Renewed! Page 11
