The Sisters of Sugarcreek

by Cathy Liggett

  What if he’d changed his mind about her?

  What if he’d decided she’d waited too long?

  Frantic at the thought, she hit her fist on the door once more.

  Finally, she saw movement. At last she saw him as he ducked out from the back of the shop, glancing toward the front door.

  Nervous as a schoolgirl, she lifted her hand and waved. Even held up the baking dish in her hands for him to see.

  But he disappeared. Back into the cavern of the workshop. Surely he was turning off a machine. Or pulling the plug on a tool. Maybe taking off his work gloves and brushing the sawdust from his shirt?

  So Liz waited. And waited.

  Until she realized she was waiting for nothing. No reason at all. He wasn’t coming to the door. He wasn’t inviting her in.

  Oh, she knew what Jessica and Lydia would say. They’d ask her why she hadn’t tried to knock again. They’d say it might not have been Daniel she saw anyway. That it could’ve been someone else in the shadows.

  But just as she couldn’t be fooled by her feelings for him any longer, she knew in every part of her that the man she’d seen was him.

  So she did the only thing she knew to do. She turned from the shop to go.

  THE DECEMBER SUN GLEAMED and streamed through the Cottage’s front windows, its warmth and clarity feeling like a gift from heaven. It was a perfect day for the Santa sale, Jessica mused—for avid shoppers to get out and do what they did best. And the pleasure of working alongside her friends—her extremely helpful friends—was certainly another blessing to add to her list.

  “It looks great in here, doesn’t it?” She beamed, glancing around the shop, hoping with everything inside her that the sale would be a shop-saving success . . . that the Cottage would always be a part of her family.

  Meanwhile, Lydia paused to smile as she buttoned a hand-knit sweater over a wire mannequin form. “Jah. It’s very cheery looking.”

  “And so Christmassy too!” Liz added. “I didn’t think we could make the place look any more charming than it already is, but somehow I believe we did just that.”

  It had certainly taken a lot of work and had been quite the team effort. Luckily none of them had had any major Thanksgiving plans that required their attention. Instead, during the weeks prior to the special November holiday and the week after, they spent nearly every day getting ready for the sale. There didn’t seem to be an end to all there was to do! Planning, plotting, cutting, sewing, knitting, Lydia quilting, Liz baking, and Jessica tweeting, e-blasting, advertising, and sending out flyers. But most of the decorating and merchandise setup they’d done had taken place a couple of days earlier, and a lot of it the night before. Thankfully, Derek had taken Cole for the evening since it had been nearly midnight when they’d finally called it quits.

  They’d started the shop makeover by adding pine garlands with white twinkling lights and red velvety bows all around the store, outlining the windows, the cash register counter, and many of the fabric bins too. Together, they’d also moved around some cubbies of yarn, making room for a Christmas tree to light up the right side of the shop. The tree sparkled with a mixture of Rose’s antique ornaments and some smaller sale items, too—packages of sewing needles, threads, crochet hooks—dangling from its limbs.

  Nearby, closer to the front of the shop, they’d set up quilt racks to create a prominent display of the fine-looking quilts Lydia’s friends had made. They’d even brought a rocker down from the apartment to make the corner look cozily complete.

  Each time Jessica looked at the quilted coverlets, she was overwhelmed. The Amish women had done so much work out of the kindness of their hearts—and what beautiful work it was too! She’d mailed letters to each and every one of the ladies to thank them since they wouldn’t accept a commission or even a store discount. Lydia had assured her she could also thank the ladies in person since most of them intended to drop by to further support and check out the Santa Cottage Sale.

  At least she felt far better about her own lack of crafting acumen when she came up with the idea of knitting and quilting kits. The ideal crafters’ Christmas gift, she left it up to her talented assistant to take the idea and run with it. All of which Lydia was thrilled to do—and did so well.

  Mostly for beginners, and for some intermediates too, each see-through package contained a simple pattern for either a small knitting or quilting project along with all the materials and tools needed for the activity. Tied up with pretty Christmas ribbon and a bow, the packets were the perfect Christmas gift for anyone thinking of trying a new craft—or wanting to pass along the love of their craft to someone else. They’d placed large baskets filled with the project packets all around the Cottage. What kits they had left over looked perfect and pretty underneath the Christmas tree.

  They’d also removed skeins of yarn from the cubbies in the middle of the store, topping them with a sale sign and twinkling lights, to create a festive display for the sweaters from Aunt Rose’s treasure chest and for Jessica’s bow-covered scarves. And of course, the shop’s regular inventory was available and on sale for anyone who had their own project in mind—any procrastinators in the crowd who might think they still had time to make something new for Christmas.

  And no matter if a customer was a knitter, a quilter, or simply a browser, there was something everyone could love—sweets made by Liz.

  “The Cottage not only looks like Christmas—” Jessica turned to her baker friend—“you’ve got it smelling Christmassy too.”

  While the refreshing scent of pine and conifers emanated from the right side of the shop, the deliciously combined aromas of peppermint, chocolate, and cinnamon wafted from the left. That’s where Liz had set up what looked to be a mini holiday bakery.

  All along the red linen tablecloth covering the long oak worktable they’d moved from the middle of the store—with much strain and huffing and puffing—were goodies made by Liz’s very hands. Cakes topped with Santas, reindeer, jingle bells, and holly-shaped leaves. Individually wrapped cookies of every shape and every kind. All displayed on white porcelain cake stands and on tiered dessert stands as well.

  “Is Cole up and about yet?” Liz asked as she tastefully dotted the tablecloth with gold star-shaped ornaments and glimmering white snowflakes. “I put together a box of Rudolph cookies just for him.”

  “Actually, Derek must’ve worn him out last night. Cole ended up falling asleep on his couch,” Jessica said, still surprised even as she said the words at how comfortable Cole must’ve been at Derek’s condo. “So we decided to let him sleep there, rather than pick him up after we’d finished our decorating.”

  “Maybe I’ll hide his stash behind the cash register counter when I get finished with these stars,” Liz told her. “I’ll put his name on the box too.”

  “That’s really sweet of you, Liz.” Jessica almost felt guilty. “But you didn’t have to make something special for Cole. You’ve already done so much.”

  “Well, it’s not like I haven’t had more time on my hands lately.” Liz frowned. “A lot of extra time.”

  “So you haven’t had any word from . . .” Jessica paused, almost hating to ask the question.

  “Daniel? No,” Liz said glumly. “Nothing at all.”

  “Are you sure you shouldn’t give it one more try?” Jessica suggested.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I really don’t.” Liz sighed as she moved one cake holder to a different spot and stepped back to look at it before placing it in its original spot again. “I don’t know what I should do.”

  Days before, Liz had told Jessica and Lydia how she’d stopped by Daniel’s house and, when she couldn’t find him there, went to his shop, where the light was on.

  Jessica shook her head. “It still seems odd, Liz. And if it’s true that he saw you, there must be a reason why he didn’t come to the door.”

  “Well, I sure don’t know what it would be.” Liz’s voice rose. “There I was, standing in the doorway, all ready to ha
nd him the shepherd’s pie and my heart, too. But obviously he didn’t want either.” She winced as if she were reliving the humiliation and hurt all over again. “I just wish I would’ve taken the pie home instead of dropping it off at my elderly neighbor’s. But honestly?” Liz glanced at Jessica and at Lydia, who was also listening in. “I couldn’t stand to look at the thing. However, it would’ve been a lot healthier for me than all the sweets I’ve been gorging myself with since that night.” She tugged at her sweater, pulling it away from her midline. “But, ladies . . . today is a new day. A big day. And I’m going to focus on all good and positive things. As for matters of the heart, well, I just have to believe things will work out the way they’re supposed to.”

  “Jah, but if you help them along, they’re certainly more sure to,” Lydia spoke up.

  Liz turned to Jessica. “Do you remember how quiet she used to be? Oh, whatever happened to our shy, demure Lydia?”

  Lydia grinned, not seeming to mind being teased at all. “Sometimes even I wonder too.”

  As they stood in different areas in the shop, laughing over the same thing together, the bell jingled over the door. Caught off guard, they all turned toward the entrance, eyes wide with alarm. It was too early and they still had way too many loose ends to tie up before entertaining even the thought of customers, let alone real, live ones.

  Thankfully, it was Cole and Derek who came through the door, each carrying a box, prompting sighs of relief all around.

  “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite guys.” Jessica put aside the sweater she was pricing and walked toward them, eager to give her son a hug. “I missed you last night, Colester.” She bent forward to kiss the top of her son’s head.

  But Cole couldn’t have cared less about her show of affection. Instead, he was busy turning in every direction, eyes wide, taking in all the decorations. “This looks just like a place Santa would like.”

  “It really does look great in here, ladies.” Derek nodded in agreement. “And I’m sure it took no time at all.” He winked, causing them all to smile.

  “When is Santa getting here?” Cole asked.

  “Uh, well . . . ,” Jessica stammered. “Unfortunately, he’s, uh, not going to be able to make it. He’s too busy with his own stuff to come today, if you know what I mean,” she added in a stage whisper. “But we’re calling it Santa’s Cottage Sale anyway because who doesn’t like Santa, right?”

  “Oh.” Cole nodded, looking confused but assuaged.

  “So what are you two up to?” She changed the subject quickly, turning from her son to Derek. “And what’s in the boxes?” She gestured to the cartons they were carrying, Derek more easily than Cole, who kept shifting on his feet from the weight.

  “We’ve got stuff to sell,” Cole informed her.

  “Oh yeah? You do?”

  “But not exactly along the same lines as the items in your shop,” Derek let her know.

  “But just as good, Mom.”

  “Well, let’s see, then. You guys want to set the boxes on the counter?”

  Smiling and curious, she waved them toward the cash register counter, where Derek set down his box and then helped Cole relieve his arms of his.

  As Jessica peeked inside the cartons, it only took a moment for her to register what she was seeing—all the beautifully framed and perfectly photographed pictures she’d admired on the walls of Derek’s condo.

  “Derek, I can’t sell these.” She sifted through the box, eyeing one incredible landscape shot after another.

  “Why? You don’t like them?”

  “Like them?” She gawked at him. “I love them. But they’re yours and they’re your memories.”

  “And I can make more prints of them if I ever want to.” Derek shrugged indifferently. “But honestly, I don’t think I’ll want to. I believe I’m ready for new pictures in new places. I, uh . . . I think it’s time.”

  As he looked into her eyes, she thought she saw something there, heard something in his tone. Some underlying double meaning that she was supposed to catch. Or was she just imagining it? Hoping for it?

  “You’re really serious, Derek?”

  “Absolutely. It’s my small contribution. To Rose. To the Cottage.”

  His words tugged at Jessica’s heartstrings, and unable to stop herself, she reached out to hug him around the neck. “Oh, Derek, thank you,” she murmured as he reciprocated her touch, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close, in a place she never wanted to leave.

  But of course, she had to. She stepped back and, not knowing what to do with her arms after that, crossed them over her chest. “Well, they’ll make great Christmas gifts for people. I may even buy one for myself.”

  “How about you just take whatever you want that’s left.”

  “They are a mighty gut idea,” Lydia said as she and Liz came over to check out the sensational prints. “Now we have everything—stitcheries, sweets, and scenic snapshots at Sugarcreek’s Santa’s Cottage Sale.”

  “Try saying that five times fast,” Liz said to Cole, who began trying to do just that but without much success.

  Meanwhile, just as Jessica was trying to figure out how she was going to display Derek’s work, he let her in on his plan.

  “I brought the wall easel from my condo, so if you’ll let me know which wall you want me to use, Cole and I will get these hung up in no time and then be out of your way.”

  “Hmm.” She tapped a finger to her lip. “I’d say . . .” She swung left and right and then back again. “You know, how about right here, actually?” She pointed to the blank wall at the left side of the cash register. “There’s enough space and the pictures will be right up front, where everyone can see them.”

  “Perfect.” Derek gave her a thumbs-up. “You ready, Cole?”

  Jessica had to smile at how eager Cole was to keep up with Derek and help him out. In fact, Derek was practically tripping over her son, that’s how close Cole was sticking to his new mentor. It seemed he was taking his assisting role seriously.

  Liz had tuned in to his behavior too. “It looks like Cole really enjoys being with Derek.”

  “Yeah, he definitely took an instant liking to him.”

  Since the very first time Derek had been around Cole at Halloween, he’d won Cole over. Easily. Cole always seemed disappointed when Derek couldn’t join them in whatever they had going on. Jessica wanted to think the three of them shared something very special. But then . . . she’d remember that Derek had experience with kids through his volunteer work. Perhaps Cole was just another young, fatherless boy to him. A kid who Derek thought could benefit from a male figure in his life.

  “You haven’t said anything to Derek yet, have you? About how you’re feeling?” Liz asked as they both watched the guys at work. Cole holding tools for Derek, ready and willing to help. Derek encouraging Cole, guiding him through the hanging process.

  Jessica shook her head.

  “And you’re bugging me about trying to contact Daniel again?” Liz shot her a wry smile. “Girl, you need to listen to yourself.”

  “I know, I know. I’ve just been busy. . . .”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And I’ve had other things on my mind.”

  “Oh, yeah. Like your mind can only handle one thing at a time.”

  “I plan to soon, though.”

  “You need to, honey. You need some resolution.”

  “I know.”

  She did need to stop torturing herself and talk to Derek, but since she’d put it off this long, she decided not to have that conversation until after Christmas. The holiday was going to be different and difficult enough for Cole—and her—with Rose gone. She didn’t want anything else to change the equilibrium that she and Cole and Derek had been enjoying together.

  Besides, as long as she could control herself, did it really matter when she talked to Derek? It wasn’t as if he was waiting for her to profess her love to him. Not like Daniel was wishing for with Liz. In fact,
her confession might even scare Derek off. Leaving her and Cole without their new, old best friend.

  “I’m going to tell him soon,” she said again.

  Her moment of truth with Liz was interrupted when Lydia called out from across the store, where she was making up a few more last-minute packets.

  “Your phone buzzed over here,” she said.

  “I was wondering where I laid it down. Can you see who it is?”

  Lydia picked up the phone, eyeing the message. “It’s Marisa. She’s almost here and is wondering if you need her to stop for any last items. Marshmallows? Paper plates?”

  Jessica turned from the shelf of sweaters she’d finished tagging, glad that she’d hired Marisa to fill in around the store during the sale, to help out in any way she could. But since she wasn’t in charge of the sweets, she readily deferred to Liz, who was now busy setting up the hot chocolate machine she’d had stored away in her basement.

  “What do you think, Liz?”

  “Tell her thank you, but I think we’re in good shape for now.”

  Jessica walked over to retrieve her phone and thumb in the message to Marisa. By the time she was walking back toward the cash register counter, the wall easel was in place, the pictures were hung, and Derek was snapping his toolbox closed.

  “You guys work fast,” she said.

  “It’s what you call teamwork. Right, Cole?”

  Cole replied with a huge grin.

  “I’ll let you name your price on the photos, Jess.”

  “Really? Because I don’t know what to think . . . They seem kind of priceless to me.” She hated to be the one to decide. “You do know there might not be one of them left by the time you guys get back.”

  “Yeah, well . . . nothing would make me happier.” He grinned, sincerity lighting his eyes. “Anyway, like I said, I’m ready for some new favorite spots. Starting with this morning.” He turned to Cole and ruffled his hair. “Cole, what do you say we head out? We’re scheduled for a horse-drawn wagon ride in an hour, and I sure don’t want to miss it. And we need to get some breakfast first, don’t you think?”