The Sisters of Sugarcreek

by Cathy Liggett

  “Yeah. I guess I’m not as slick as I used to be, am I?” He managed a halfhearted grin himself. “But seriously, Jess, are you going to stop pretending all’s well and tell me what’s been going on with you? Or are you going to make me guess?”

  “Derek, like I told you the other day, I’m fine.” She pushed back her plate, unable to look him in the eyes as she answered. Which, of course, he picked up on.

  “Mmm.” He slid aside his plate as well, then reclined against the back of the booth, crossing both arms over his chest. “I get it, Jess. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been around each other. But I’m still the same me.” He dipped his head toward her. “You can trust me with whatever is going on with you. Unless of course you don’t want to share it—and if that’s the case . . . well, it doesn’t make me feel very good, but I guess that’s something I’m going to have to get used to.” His jaw tensed right before his brows drew together in an agonized expression.

  “Uh-uh-uh, Derek Reeves.” She wagged a finger, giving him a knowing smile. “Don’t you be doing that to me.”

  “Doing what?” His expression flipped like a switch, from dejected to innocent. Although he couldn’t keep the mischievous twinkle from sparkling in his eyes, proof that she’d caught on to him.

  “You know very well what.” She cocked a brow and folded her arms on the tabletop, leaning in closer. “That thing where you make me feel like I’m hurting your feelings just so I’ll share with you.”

  “What?” His eyes lit up even more as he gave her a tight-lipped grin. “You’re saying I’m trying to manipulate you?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “By saying I’m here for you?”

  “Uh-huh. Because that’s the thing, Derek. If I tell you what’s going on with me, then—” She caught herself midsentence, cupping her hand over her mouth.

  “So there is something going on? I knew it. I knew it,” he repeated. “So what is up, Jess? You may as well tell me now.”

  She felt like she’d been acquiescing to men all morning. First giving in to the owner of the pawnshop, and now to Derek. But at least she knew the man sitting across from her cared about her well-being in a way few people did. His eyes appeared nonjudgmental and kind as he steadied his gaze on her, making it easier for her to admit her blunder.

  “The quick version is, I have a huge bill that needs to be paid, and if it doesn’t get paid, I could lose the shop,” she said matter-of-factly. “But the good news is, everything is going to be all right because Liz and Lydia came up with the idea of a sidewalk sale.”

  “At this time of year?” He frowned.

  “Well, not really a sidewalk sale.” She waved her hand. “It started out as that but morphed into an indoor Santa’s Cottage Sale, where basically we’re going to be selling everything under the sun. Sweaters, scarves, cakes, cookies, quilts.”

  Listening to what she had to say, he paused to rub at his chin. She could feel her optimism sinking a bit as he seemed to be taking his time to reply, trying to choose his words carefully. “That sounds like a lot of extra work without being sure of a return,” he said finally. “You could’ve just borrowed the money from me, Jess. You still can.”

  “No,” she said flatly, rearing up in her seat, working to keep her voice calm. “Thank you, Derek. Really, thank you,” she said sincerely. “I know you’re trying to be a friend, but I can’t do that. That’s exactly why I never wanted to say anything to you. It’s my mistake, my headache. I didn’t want to come to you begging for money.”

  They may have been teasing a few minutes earlier about him pretending to be hurt, but now she could tell he really was. “Begging?” His face caved and his tone changed. “Is that how I make you feel? Like you’d have to beg me for my help?”

  “Oh, no. Not at all. You’re always so good to me about everything. I just—I didn’t want to use you like that,” she sputtered.

  “Use me?”

  “No, not use you. Well, not exactly.” She could see by the look on his face that she was only making things worse. “Oh, Derek, I’m sorry!” She covered her cheeks with her hands. “I’m saying all the wrong things here, aren’t I? And I don’t mean any of it the way it’s coming out. It’s just, I made a mess of something, and I didn’t want you to have to get involved with my mess.”

  “People make messes of things, Jess. They make mistakes.”

  “Well, living in my skin, sometimes it feels like I make more than my share.”

  “Trust me,” he said softly, “you’re not the only one who feels that way at times.”

  He laid his hand on hers, squeezing it consolingly. Even though she knew he’d probably only meant it as a friendly gesture, she could feel the sensation of his touch all the way up to her cheeks. Reminding her she needed to be honest with him about something else too. She needed to tell him she couldn’t keep seeing him so much. Only because every time she was with him, she wanted him more and more. And one of these days she was going to embarrass herself and shock him when she couldn’t stop herself from kissing him.

  She was relieved when his cell buzzed and he removed his hand from hers, apologizing as he retrieved the phone from his chest pocket. “Sorry, it’s work. Gotta get this,” he said before answering the call.

  “No problem. I’m going to the restroom,” she whispered as she gathered up her coat and purse. “Meet you at the cash register when you’re finished.” She pointed toward the front of the diner, and with one ear already attached to the phone, he nodded in reply.

  As she made her way toward the glossy red restroom door, Jessica had to admit to herself that she was glad he’d gotten the call. Even though there was no question she needed to speak with him, she wasn’t ready for the conversation. At least not today. But soon. Very soon.

  LIZ GRIPPED THE COLLAR OF her wool jacket, protecting her neck from the wind, as she crossed the hardware store’s parking lot with Daniel at her side. They’d been in and out of stores all day, Christmas shopping for his nieces and nephews and for her grandkids as well. The temperature had kept dropping all afternoon.

  As he always seemed to do, Daniel clued into her, noticing she was cold. Taking a broad stride to get to the door quickly, he opened it for her.

  “Brr . . . thanks!” She acknowledged his gallantry with a grateful smile.

  “No problem.” He rubbed his bare hands together once they were inside. “I’m going to head over to the plumbing area. Need to get a few items for my leaky sink.”

  “You’ll know where to find me when you’re finished,” Liz told him, pointing toward the paint department.

  “Pick out something good for your kitchen. Something pretty, like its cook.”

  His light, teasing comment encouraged her to continue their banter. “Are you trying to flatter me so I’ll bake another pecan pie for you?” In between her red velvet cake baking, she’d taken some time to make Daniel his favorite pie.

  “Or pumpkin is fine too.” He winked at her in reply.

  As Daniel headed to the left side of the store and she veered to the right, she couldn’t help but eye—and covet—the beautiful kitchen cabinets on display. Along with the fashionable new sinks. Maybe somehow . . . someday.

  As things stood, Daniel had finished up her ceiling weeks earlier, and at the risk of never having the chance to enjoy his company again, she’d had to be frank with him about her finances. With Christmas in the wings and things quieter than ever at work, there was no way she could move forward with any other improvements to her kitchen. The most she could afford to do was paint it. On her own, which she planned to do sometime after the Santa Cottage Sale, coming up soon, and before Amy and her family arrived for the holidays.

  But of course, Daniel being Daniel, he’d offered to help. In fact, after their dinner at Annabelle’s, they’d been helping each other in many ways and spending much time together nearly every day. She enjoyed the hours in his company so much that during a few instances, she’d even lost track of time.
Like the evening she’d arrived half an hour late to a session with Jessica and Lydia at the Cottage.

  Fearing she’d been in an accident, they were ready to call the police when she hadn’t picked up her phone. When she finally got to the Cottage and told them she’d been with Daniel, they’d teased her relentlessly, as if she were involved in some hot, torrid romance. But what she and Daniel had wasn’t like that. Goodness, Daniel had never done more than squeeze her hand in parting, which suited what they had between them. Which was . . . well, comfortable and enjoyable. Uncomplicated and easygoing.

  She smiled, thinking once again about Jessica and Lydia’s reaction, or rather overreaction. But then sobered as soon as she lit in front of the display of paint samples. There was a one, two—she turned her head, scanning the array—at least a five-foot section of color samples.

  “How overwhelming!” she sighed, staring at the rows upon rows of colors.

  “Isn’t it though?” a female voice answered beside her.

  “It truly is.” Liz could practically feel her eyes glazing over. “I mean, I have a hard enough time just deciding between chocolate chip ice cream and butter pecan.”

  The lady next to her laughed out loud. “For me it always comes down to raspberry chocolate chip and—Liz? Liz Cannon?”

  Liz looked up from the bins of color strips. “Belinda! Oh, my goodness! I haven’t seen you since . . . well, I’m trying to think how long it’s been.”

  She reached out to hug her old friend, then stepped back to take a look at her. Petite, with curly red hair that seemed to still have a mind of its own, Belinda Sears looked just the way Liz remembered her, though a little more tired around the eyes. But ’twas the season . . .

  “It’s been at least two years,” Belinda informed her. “Ever since John and I moved to Millersburg.”

  “I can’t believe it’s been that long. What a treat, bumping into you!”

  “A nice surprise, considering I don’t get to Sugarcreek too often. I happen to be in town today picking up a few Christmas items I ordered, and I stopped in at Rose’s Cottage too. Actually, I was glad to see that it still was Rose’s Cottage and that Jessica had taken over the shop. What an undertaking!” Belinda shook her head, visibly awed. “And what a wonderful Amish woman she has working there as well.”

  “They’re both sweet gals,” Liz agreed. “I’ve been meeting with the two of them at least once a week since the fire at the church, just to visit and knit and, well, do a few other things,” she added vaguely.

  “Oh, Liz.” Belinda’s forehead creased in sympathy. “I was horrified to hear about Faith Community burning down, and about Rose, too, of course, God rest her dear soul. I can’t imagine how you all must’ve felt . . . and are probably still feeling.”

  The lump that formed in Liz’s throat was immediate. “Yes, Rose truly was the sweetest, wasn’t she?” she said hoarsely. “Her passing was incredibly shocking. And as far as the church, well, that’s been an adjustment too. Right now, there’s a candlelight ceremony scheduled for the week before Christmas, which I’m looking forward to. We’re also hoping rebuilding will begin in January, but that will depend on the weather, of course.”

  Liz raised her hands in the air, not having any other facts about the church to share. “So tell me about life in Millersburg, Belinda,” she said, anxious to hear some happy news. “Have you been enjoying your new home there?”

  Belinda’s face clouded, and Liz hated to see that, hoping there was nothing serious going on in the Sears family. Although she and Belinda hadn’t stayed in touch after the move, she still felt they’d shared a special bond of friendship. For years, the two of them had served on numerous church committees together, cooking countless meals for church events and members of the congregation.

  “It’s been great, Liz, it really has. Until recently anyway.” She exhaled heavily as each one of her features collapsed into a sullen, grim expression. “If you would please keep John in your prayers . . . He was diagnosed with MS, and for the longest while the symptoms seemed to be manageable and not so life-altering. But recently, they’ve gotten much worse. It’s been very difficult.”

  “Oh, Belinda, I’m so sorry to hear that.” Liz reached out to touch her friend’s arm.

  “He gets so worn out but doesn’t want to succumb to the fatigue. It helps him mentally if he has a project to work on a little each day. He’s painting our mudroom now and wanted me to look for colors for our bathroom.”

  “I will definitely be praying for him, Belinda.”

  “Thanks, Liz. A lot of people at our new church are praying for him too, which is such a comfort. You know, come to think of it, you might actually like our church. I mean, until Faith is up and running again. Although it would be somewhat of a haul for you.”

  “For a good sermon, I sure wouldn’t mind the drive,” she replied, thinking a visit to the church in Millersburg would be a good way to show Belinda her support as well.

  Belinda pulled her phone out of her jeans pocket and thumbed through screens till she found the spot she was looking for. “Here you go.” She handed the phone to Liz. “Why don’t you put in your cell number, and I’ll text you the details?”

  “That’d be great, Belinda.” She punched in her number and then handed the phone back to her friend. “You know what’s funny? I rarely ever make it to Millersburg, but just recently I went to a restaurant all the way out there. The food was very good. A little too much cinnamon in the sweet potato casserole, and they could’ve added a tad more garlic—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Daniel strode up the aisle toward them.

  “Belinda, I want you to meet my, uh, my friend Daniel Kauffman. Daniel, this is Belinda Sears. We used to go to church together before she and her husband moved from Sugarcreek.”

  “Nice to meet you.” He reached out his hand, which Belinda started to take. Until her phone buzzed, distracting her.

  “I’m sorry. I’d better see who this is.” She glanced at the screen. “Oh, dear, it’s my sister. I need to get this. It was nice to meet you, Daniel,” she said as she clicked on her phone and started to walk away. “And really great to see you, Liz.” She waved with the phone at her ear.

  “Hmm,” Daniel mumbled as they stared after Belinda.

  “Hmm, what?”

  “She looks familiar, but I can’t seem to place her.”

  Liz blinked at him in surprise. “Maybe it’ll come to you later.”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. “Have you decided on a color?”

  Liz shook her head. “Not even close. I think I’m just going to grab a bunch of color samples and take them home. I’ve had enough shopping and deciding for one day.” Besides, as much as she enjoyed seeing Belinda, the news about her husband’s illness had made painting her kitchen not seem as direly important at the moment.

  “I’m not going to fight you on it,” Daniel replied, suddenly looking tired himself.

  In fact, Liz noticed Daniel barely spoke the entire drive to her house, keeping his eyes fixed on the country roads. But after being together most of the day, Liz didn’t have much to say either. Plus, the first snowflakes of the season had arrived and she was mesmerized, watching as they danced and swirled in the air and skipped over the windshield. By the time they arrived at her neighborhood, the whimsical white flecks had seemed to tire, finally catching hold, making picturesque landings on the limbs of the maple trees that lined her street.

  As Daniel pulled into her driveway, she was enchanted once again by the cozy, merry way her house looked. As if Christmas had already arrived at 1031 Trellis Lane. White lights twinkled from every eave and gutter of the house and all around her front door. And two glimmering reindeer, which Daisy was still getting used to, stood majestically on her front lawn.

  She hadn’t had her home looking so festive in years, and it was all because of Daniel. And all because the day they’d worked in her kitchen together, he’d actually heard what she’d shared about her
family and her last Christmas with Karl when he’d lost the battle for his life. That November, she and Karl had learned that Amy was pregnant with their first grandbaby, and Karl had known he’d never live to see the child. At that time, he’d made Liz promise that his passing at that time of year wouldn’t steal the joy from the season in the future—not from her, or Amy, or their grandchildren yet to come into the world.

  Knowing her grandkids were indeed coming for Christmas, and being the great guy he was, Daniel had shown up at her house one Saturday with extra Christmas lights, extension cords, and a very tall ladder. He hung more lights than she ever had before. Even hooked them all up to a timer, conscious of her efforts to save money.

  “I know I keep saying it, but thank you again for making the house look like something from the North Pole. Ellie and Jack will love it, Daniel.”

  “I told you, Liz, it wasna anything.” He sloughed off her thanks as he grabbed her larger shopping bags from the trunk, leaving her the smallest ones to carry. Daisy was already at the door when Liz opened it, wagging and poised to greet them.

  “You can just set the bags on the bench here. I’ll get to them later.” Liz motioned to the wooden seat in her entry, then took off her coat and tossed it there too. “Would you like some hot chocolate? And maybe grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner?” she offered as she bustled into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. They hadn’t stopped to eat anything since their midmorning breakfast together. “If you want, we can eat while we finish watching the movie we started the other night.”

  “Aw, I probably shouldn’t,” he called to her from the other room.

  “It’s low-fat cheese. Not too many calories.” She bent over, perusing the refrigerator’s shelves, seeing what else she had to offer. “Or I could make you a turkey sandwich and soup if that sounds better—and healthier—to you.”

  “No, I didn’t mean that, Liz. What I meant is, I don’t think I should stay.”