The Forgotten Recipe

by Amy Clipston

  “Danki.” He plucked a cookie from the tin and took a bite. “Oh, this is the best peanut butter cookie I’ve ever had. But don’t tell my mamm that.”

  “I’m so glad you like it.” Veronica tapped the cake saver. “I hope you enjoy the chocolate cake too. You may want to skip the raspberry pie this week and only take home the cake.”

  Jason shook his head. “No, the raspberry pies are for my parents and my bruder. The chocolate cake is all mine.” He lifted the top of the cake saver, and the aroma of chocolate wafted up. “I can’t wait to have a piece.”

  She smiled. “I hope you like it too.”

  He offered her a cookie, and she took it. “I wanted to be here earlier, but I had to help my dat with a project at the haus. We’re replacing some old boards on the barn. We’re doing a little bit each Saturday. It’s going to be a brand-new barn soon.”

  “Oh.” She bit into the cookie. “These are pretty gut.”

  “Pretty gut?” he asked. “They’re more like perfect.” He bit into another one. “How are sales today?”

  “They’ve been okay.” She shrugged. “A group of tourists stopped by earlier and bought nearly all my pickles and relish. They bought one of my pies. I only have a few left since I sold so many yesterday. I baked only a few more last night—”

  “Because you were busy making my goodies.” He finished her sentence, and she nodded.

  “Ya, that’s true.” Veronica leaned on the counter. “What is the weather report this week?”

  “Hmm.” Jason leaned across from her, his hands only a millimeter from hers. He looked up at the cloudless sky and then at her. “No rain this week. In fact, every day the sky will be blue, almost as schee as your pale-blue eyes.” His expression and eyes were intense, sending a shiver of excitement dancing down her spine.

  “I suppose I won’t need my umbrella then?” she asked.

  “Nope.” He shook his head. “You won’t.”

  “That’s gut to know.” She couldn’t stand the thought of his leaving, and an idea occurred to her. “What are your plans for later today?”

  Jason took another cookie. “I don’t think I have any. Why?”

  “I’m going to close up the bake stand in about an hour. Would you like to stay for supper?” She held her breath, hoping he’d say yes.

  “I’d love to.” He looked surprised by the offer. “Danki.”

  “Great.” She grabbed a sign from under the counter. “I’ll pick up here, put out my sign, and then we can go inside to visit with my family.”

  Jason nodded. “That sounds gut. I’ll park my horse and buggy by the barn if that’s okay.”

  “Ya. I’ll meet you at the haus.” While Jason guided the horse toward the barn, Veronica stowed her pies in the cooler and then set out the sign that said, “Please knock on door for service.” She carried his tin of cookies and the cake saver toward the back door.

  Veronica spotted Jason standing by the barn while gazing toward her father’s harness shop. She walked over toward him. “Do you want to see my dat’s store?”

  Jason smiled. “I’d love to.”

  “Let me put the cake and cookies inside, and then I’ll take you over there. My dat would enjoy talking with you.” She nodded toward the house. “Walk with me.”

  He took the cake saver from her hands. “You didn’t have to carry all of this.”

  “I thought you wanted me to.” She teased. “After all, you left it on the counter for me.”

  Jason’s cheeks turned slightly pink. He was blushing! “I didn’t mean to. I guess I was so surprised that you’d invited me for supper that I wanted to move my horse and buggy before you changed your mind.”

  She stopped walking and looked at him. “Why would I change my mind?”

  He shrugged. “It was a joke.”

  “Jason, I really want you to stay and meet my dat.”

  He smiled, and she could hardly contain her joy. “Danki. I’m honored.”

  They climbed the back porch steps and entered the house through the mudroom. Veronica stepped into the kitchen and found Mamm sitting at the table making a shopping list.

  “Mamm,” Veronica said. “Jason came to visit, and I invited him to stay for supper.”

  Mamm looked up and smiled. “Jason. It’s so gut to see you. I’m glad you can stay.” She gave Veronica an approving look, and the tips of Veronica’s ears heated.

  “I’m going to take Jason out to see Dat’s store, and then I’ll be back to start cooking.” Veronica placed the cookie tin and cake saver on the counter and started for the door.

  JASON FELT OVERWHELMED AS HE WATCHED VERONICA place the cake saver and tin of cookies on the kitchen counter. When he arrived at her stand today, he’d never expected her to hand him baked goods she’d made especially for him. And never in his wildest dreams had he imagined she would invite him to stay for supper and meet her dat. He had hoped to spend an hour or so visiting with her, but now he felt as if she were making him a part of the family.

  “Let’s go see my dat,” Veronica said as she crossed the kitchen toward the mudroom. “He enjoys people visiting his store.”

  Jason followed her through the mudroom and out to the porch.

  “My dat and our neighbor, Hank Ebersol, built the shop when they were in their twenties,” Veronica explained while they walked. “They run it together. Emily helps out with the books every week, and sometimes she’ll run the front counter and answer the phone. Mostly it’s just Dat and Hank, though.”

  Jason nodded and noticed a large sign boasting the Bird-in-Hand Harness Shop. His stomach knotted as they approached the store. What if her father didn’t approve of him? After all, he hadn’t asked her dat’s permission to see Veronica. Would her father ask Jason why he hadn’t visited the store and introduced himself before coming to visit her?

  The worry settled into his stomach as they walked up to the one-story, white clapboard building. A hitching post by the front door welcomed horses and buggies, and three empty parking spaces greeted motor vehicles.

  Jason pulled the door open, and Veronica stepped inside as a bell over the door announced their entrance. As Jason followed her inside, the aroma of leather engulfed his senses. The one-room store was clogged with displays featuring harnesses, leashes for pets, pet collars, saddles, saddle blankets, doorknob hangers with bells, rope, pouches, bags, and various other horse accessories. The sales counter sat in the center of the crowded showroom with a small round display that included leather key chains in shapes varying from cats to horses.

  Beyond the showroom was an open area where two middle-aged men worked.

  “Hi, Dat,” Veronica said. “Hi, Hank. Jason is here to visit.”

  “Jason.” A tall man with graying light-brown hair and a matching beard stood from the workbench and approached. “Wie geht’s?” He shook Jason’s hand with a confident, strong grip.

  “I’m doing well.” Jason gestured around the store. “You have a schee store here. You do fantastic work.”

  “Oh, no.” Her dat pointed toward the other man sitting at the workbench. “Hank does the gut work. I do the mediocre stuff.”

  “Don’t listen to Leroy,” Hank chimed in. “He’s not as gut as I am, but I wouldn’t call him mediocre.”

  Leroy gave a loud, boisterous laugh, and Veronica shook her head.

  “I’ll leave you buwe to argue about who does the best work.” Veronica smiled at Jason, and his heart skipped a beat. “I need to get started on supper. Come in around five thirty.” She waved and then strode out of the shop, the door clicking shut behind her.

  “What kind of work do you do?” Leroy asked Jason.

  “I’m in construction,” Jason said, leaning against the cashier counter. He glanced around the shop, silently admiring the craftsmanship.

  “What kind of construction do you do?” Leroy asked.

  Jason paused and gathered his thoughts. He wanted to tell Leroy the truth about where he worked, but he had to tell Veron
ica first. “I build sheds.” He said the words and then waited for Leroy to make the connection.

  “You build sheds?” Leroy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Veronica’s fiancé was in the shed business. He was killed in an accident.”

  I know. “I had heard that.” Jason dodged the connection. “It was bedauerlich.”

  “Ya,” Leroy said, frowning. “It was horrible. It happened while he was working. He fell from the rafters and the impact broke his neck. He died instantly. There was nothing the EMTs could do for him.”

  “What a shock.” Hank sighed and then returned to the leather strap he was creating.

  “That’s terrible.” Jason had to steer the conversation elsewhere. He pointed toward a saddle. “Do you make the saddles here?”

  “No, no.” Leroy shook his head. “We order the saddles from wholesalers. We only do leatherwork here. Let me show you.” He waved Jason toward the work area and pointed out the tools.

  Jason sat on a stool and enjoyed listening to Leroy talk about his work. Leroy was a friendly, confident man, and he reminded Jason of his own father. Jason imagined himself becoming close friends with Leroy. He hoped he would have the opportunity to get to know him better as his friendship with Veronica grew.

  At five thirty, Leroy and Hank closed up the shop. After saying good night to Hank, Jason and Leroy walked to the house. When they stepped inside they found Veronica, her sisters, and their mother flitting around the kitchen. Delicious aromas overtook Jason’s senses as he surveyed the long table, which was already set for six.

  Leroy washed his hands at a small sink outside of the mudroom, and Jason followed suit. Leroy sat at the head of the table and then pointed to a chair to his right.

  “Have a seat,” Leroy said.

  “Danki,” Jason said.

  Veronica met his curious expression as she brought a tray of breaded pork chops to the table. “Do you like iced tea?”

  “Ya, I do.” Jason nodded. “Danki.”

  “Here you go,” Emily said, handing him a glass of tea, then placing a glass of tea at each table setting while Rachel delivered two baskets of sliced bread and two plates of butter.

  “Did you have fun in the shop?” Mattie asked Jason.

  “Ya,” Jason said. “Leroy let me help him make a harness.” He fingered the cool glass of tea. “I really just watched while he finished it.”

  “No, you helped.” Leroy grinned. “You handed me tools.” He laughed and Jason nodded.

  “That’s true,” Jason said.

  Veronica and her sisters laughed while delivering the rest of the meal to the table, including green beans and mashed potatoes.

  “I think we’re ready now,” Mattie said as she stood at the opposite end of the table.

  Veronica sat down across from Jason, and Emily sat beside him. Rachel sank into the chair beside Veronica. After a silent prayer, they filled their plates, utensils scraping and the murmur of conversation filling the large kitchen. As Leroy asked Jason more about what he thought of the harness shop, the women discussed what menu to provide for the group of Englishers who’d made a reservation for supper in a couple of weeks.

  Soon their plates were empty, and Veronica brought out coffee along with a lemon meringue pie for dessert. After eating two pieces of pie and drinking two cups of coffee, Jason was so full he thought his stomach might burst.

  Leroy went outside to take care of the animals, and Jason collected the dirty dishes and carried them to the sink, where Mattie was washing and Rachel was drying.

  “Should I go help your dat with the animals?” he asked Veronica, who was carrying cups to the counter.

  “No,” Emily said. “You and Veronica can go outside and visit.” She gave Veronica a pointed expression. “Rachel, Mamm, and I will clean up.”

  Veronica and Emily exchanged unspoken words in conversation with their expressions, and Jason watched them in awe. He was always amazed at how sisters could talk to each other with their eyes without men having the faintest notion what they were saying. He’d seen it lately with Leah and Mary.

  “That’s a great idea,” Rachel said. “Take some of Dat’s root beer with you.”

  “Ya,” Mattie chimed in. She peered into the propane refrigerator and then handed Jason two bottles. “Go sit on the porch or go for a walk. We’ll clean this up.”

  “Supper was appeditlich,” he told Mattie. “I really enjoyed it. Danki for having me.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Mattie’s smile was warm. “Veronica did most of the cooking. I was only the assistant.” She motioned for Veronica to leave. “Go enjoy your company. We’ll take care of this.”

  Veronica touched Jason’s arm, and warmth rushed through him. “Let’s go out to the porch.”

  Jason followed her through the family room and past a spiral staircase to the front door. She opened the door to the wraparound porch that spanned the front of the house. The evening air was warm, but it was not quite as humid as it had been earlier.

  Veronica sat down in the wooden swing and patted the spot next to her. He remembered when they had sat out here and she had rejected him. Now the sparkle in her eyes had turned from hesitant to certain in a matter of only a couple of weeks. He was thankful for his father’s sound advice.

  Jason sat beside her and handed her a cold bottle of root beer. “Your dat does leatherwork and makes root beer. The talent in your family is overwhelming.”

  “Also, he and Hank built my bake stand in only two weeks.” She lifted her bottle. “You should be really impressed now.” She giggled and then took a sip.

  Jason shook his head. He could listen to her laugh all day long. He was definitely smitten with her. He sipped his own root beer and enjoyed the cool carbonation as it slid down his throat. “I’ve had a wunderbaar day.”

  “I have too.” Veronica smiled at him. “I know my family has enjoyed getting to know you today, and I have too.”

  Jason covered her hand with his, and her smile deepened. His head was dizzy with delight. Did she feel the same, overwhelming bliss he felt? Was she also falling fast for him?

  “Would it be all right if I came to visit you more often?” Jason asked. He held his breath as he waited a moment for her response.

  “Ya, but I’m afraid I may run out of raspberries soon since the season is ending,” Veronica said coyly. “I’ll have to supplement with the peanut butter cookies and chocolate cake.”

  “I suppose that will have to do.” He feigned an annoyed sigh. “I expect to be the first on your list for raspberry pies next year when they come back into season.”

  Veronica eyed him for a minute and then nodded. “I would love to make the first pie next season for you if you’ll promise to visit my bake stand.”

  Jason reached over and pushed the ribbon from her prayer covering behind her ear, his finger brushing her warm cheek. She seemed surprised by his touch but didn’t move away from him.

  “I will be the first person at your bake stand next season,” he promised. “Or maybe I’ll be here to help you open it on the first day.”

  “I’d like that.” She took another sip and gave the swing a gentle push with her foot. “I love to sit out here and look at the stars after dark. It reminds me of how beautiful God’s creation is.”

  “Ya, I agree.” The swing moved back and forth, and Jason breathed a soft sigh. He hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

  They sat on the porch and talked for nearly an hour. Soon the sky was growing dark, and Jason had to face the five-mile trek home to Gordonville. After saying good night to Veronica’s family and grabbing the tin of cookies and cake saver, Jason walked out to his buggy with Veronica at his side.

  “Danki again for a wunderbaar afternoon and evening,” he said after stowing the cookies and cake on the passenger side of the buggy. “I’ll see you soon.”

  She nodded. “I look forward to it.”

  Jason hesitated. He longed to kiss her, but he knew it was too soon. He didn’t want to pressur
e her and unintentionally push her away again.

  Instead, Jason climbed into the buggy and waved as he guided the horse toward the road. He spent the whole ride home replaying the afternoon and evening in his mind. He recalled her smile during dinner, the feel of her hand as they sat on the swing, the smell of her lavender shampoo when he pushed the ribbon away from her face.

  He was still grinning more than an hour later when he guided the horse up his driveway. He unhitched the horse and led him into the barn and to his stall. He was rubbing the horse’s ears and talking softly to him when his father appeared behind him.

  “How was your day?” Dat asked. “I guess it went well at Veronica’s since you didn’t make it home in time for supper.”

  Jason nodded. “It was a fantastic afternoon and evening.” He told his father about visiting Leroy’s shop, eating supper with the family, and drinking root beer on Veronica’s porch. “It couldn’t have been any more perfect.”

  Dat leaned on the stall door. “I’m froh for you.”

  Jason stepped out of the stall and brought Maximus fresh water before looking at his father again. “Dat, how did you know you were in love?”

  Dat considered the question. “I suppose I just knew. With your mamm, there was never any doubt in my mind. I was positive she was the maedel for me the first time I met her and we went for a walk together. It was just something I knew deep in my heart.”

  Jason smiled. “I think I understand. I feel such a deep connection with Veronica. It’s deeper than anything I ever felt with Arie.”

  Dat placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “I’m froh to hear you say that. I know Arie hurt you deeply, and I’ve been hoping you’d find someone else who made you happy.”

  “There’s just one problem.” Jason grimaced. “I still haven’t told Veronica I knew Seth.” He leaned back against the stall door, and Maximus rested his snout on Jason’s shoulder. “I even had the opportunity to tell her dat, and I chickened out.” Jason recounted the conversation he’d had with Leroy in the harness shop. “I just can’t bring myself to tell her the truth about how I found her. I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know what to say. Every time I convince myself it’s the perfect time, I freeze up.”