She wondered what would happen if she didn’t go out there with them. Would they even notice? The room was full to exploding, what with Dan’s children spread around the room. If she skipped Bible reading, she could get a batch of cookies made for the morning. She hadn’t even opened the sweet shop that day. She wondered just how many customers she’d missed.
She also wondered if Caleb had stopped by. Her heartbeat increased, and she closed her eyes and inhaled. But why would he have stopped by? He’d already delivered his message the other day. Beth would go with him in his courting buggy that Sunday evening.
Mellie angled her body so she could spot Beth amidst the family crowd. She had a smile on her face, but Mellie knew her well. Beth wasn’t so much smiling as escaping. When she entered her own world of thoughts and imaginings, her sister would paste that smile on her face so everyone around would think she was enjoying the chatting and activity. But in actuality, she was miles away.
Mellie’s eyes narrowed slightly. Was Beth dreaming about Caleb? Or was she dreaming about whatever latest book she was reading? In their childhood, Mamm used to take them to the Hollybrook Public Library. She’d allow each of them to check out three books, pre-approved by her, of course. Mellie had long since lost interest in visiting the library. But not Beth. She still went with regularity.
And of course, Mamm was no longer in any position to pre-approve her books. Mellie wondered if Mamm even knew that Beth still checked out books from the library. More than once, Mellie had found a library book tucked under their mattress. And when she sat and flipped through the book, she knew why. It would have never gotten Mamm’s pre-approval stamp. Not that the books were nasty, exactly. But they were books that talked about different cultures and different belief systems.
Beth was flirting with danger, all right.
Mellie never confronted Beth about it. For one thing, Beth was her older sister. And secondly, ever since Beth started to show an interest in Caleb, Mellie felt a sort of wall between them. She tried to hurdle it and was sometimes successful. But other times…
Mellie knew full well that the wall was mostly on her side. Beth was oblivious, which was just as well. Mellie hugged herself and sighed. Oh, Caleb, why couldn’t you have fallen for me instead of Beth?
“Mellie!” Faith called, coming out from the front room. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”
“I’m coming,” Mellie said, leaving the kitchen. Evidently, her absence had been noted after all.
Mellie was up before their rooster began crowing, which was saying something. That crazy rooster’s internal clock was forever topsy turvy. Often, the animal would begin its ruckus well before sunrise, ruining many a night’s sleep. That morning, Mellie reveled in the quiet of the house at such an early hour. She rhythmically moved about the kitchen, measuring and pouring and stirring. She hoped to get a large portion of the baking finished before anyone else was up and about.
She had an hour and a half of productive work before Ruthie walked into the room.
“Mellie? What the world are you doing up so early?” Ruthie’s voice was scratchy and full of sleep.
“Morning, Ruthie. I had some baking to finish before opening the sweet shop.”
Ruthie shuffled over to the tin coffee pot and opened the lid. “I heard you down here. I hope this won’t become a habit. None of us should be up for another half hour or so.”
Mellie stiffened but kept her smile firmly in place. “I have to get up fairly early many mornings. Not as early as today, mind you. But early. I try to get a lot of baking out of the way before breakfast.”
Ruthie sniffed. “We’ll have to work this out. I like to be the first one in the kitchen. I have my routine, you know. I have to, what with four kinner nipping at my heels all day.” She chuckled.
“Dan told me that my baking would be fine.” Mellie tried to maintain an even tone.
“Did he, now?” Ruthie smiled. “What do men know about how a kitchen works, huh? Nee, Mellie, we’ll need to discuss this further. But right now, I need a cup of coffee.”
Mellie watched her sister-in-law fill the pot with water. She knew she should keep quiet and let it go, but she felt that her very purpose in life being challenged. The sweet shop was like her baby. And it brought in decent money, too.
“I need to bake in the early mornings,” she said firmly. “I don’t see how I can change that. My baked goods must be fresh.”
Ruthie turned off the tap and set the pot on the counter. She looked at Mellie. For a long moment, they simply stared at one another. Then Ruthie gave her a wide smile.
“You go right ahead today, Mellie. Since you’re already elbow-deep in flour. As I said, we’ll discuss this more thoroughly later.” She picked the coffee pot back up and scooped it full of fresh grounds. She moved to the cooking stove and turned on a burner, setting the pot on top. “This should be ready in about ten minutes. I’ll be back in to check on it.”
With that, she gave Mellie another smile and left the room.
Both anger and dread slugged through Mellie’s stomach. She set down her mixing spoon and took two slow deliberate breaths, blowing out the air from between tight lips. Okay. So this was the way it was to be.
She walked to the oven and cracked the door a half inch to gaze at her muffins. They were rising nicely, and their sweet spicy aroma filled the room. Mellie wasn’t about to be the cause of unrest in the house. She’d simply get up earlier yet, and tiptoe around the kitchen so that Ruthie would have no idea she was up.
Yes. That should work nicely.
Mellie was unusually grateful for her work in the sweet shop that day. As everyone struggled with their new normal back at the big house, she was snug in her little shop minding her own affairs. There had been no customers yet, but it was still fairly early in the day. She picked up her broom and swept the floor. She wasn’t worried about any dust getting on the food as it was all wrapped securely in plastic wrap.
She opened the door to the friendly tinkling bell and stood out on the small porch. While she was there, she gave it a good sweeping, too. Her dat and daadi had built this shop for her four years earlier. She was mighty young then, barely sixteen. But all she wanted to do was bake. Finally, her dat declared that if she was going to bake her days away, the family might as well see some profit from it.
Mellie had been over-the-moon excited. She’d helped set up the tables and painted the inside walls a lovely peach color. The outside, she’d painted yellow. Their neighbor, Tuck Zook had made a beautiful sign for her: Mellie’s Sweet Shop. For days, Mellie had practiced her math, pretending to give customers change. And then Mamm had completely surprised her with a battery-operated calculator, which made figuring large amounts simple.
At first, Beth had helped her with the shop, but as time went on, Mellie worked mainly alone. She loved it. She began to decorate the shop with embroidery pieces her grandmother had stitched years before. Mellie had even gone so far as to hang a small quilt on the back wall. She’d received more than one offer from customers to purchase the quilt. But the quilt had been used when every new baby had come into the family. There were simply too many memories tied to it to even consider selling it.
Mellie realized that selling quilts might be a right fine idea someday. But her hands were full with her baking. Perhaps someday she’d expand her little shop to include more than pies, breads and rolls, cookies, and cakes.
Her shop was located right off the main road. Sometimes passersby stopped in, never having heard of her before. But mostly, she had her regular customers. Englischers from Hollybrook purchased regularly and made up most of her customers. Every now and again, an Amish friend would buy something. But frankly, most of them made their own baked goods and didn’t need to purchase hers.
Except for her cinnamon rolls. No one could resist them.
Mellie smiled and went back inside the shop. She leaned the broom against the wall in the corner. The bell rang, and she turned toward the door, a smile of
greeting on her face. Caleb. Her heart leapt to her throat, and she almost stumbled backward to her counter. She clasped her hands together so he wouldn’t see them shaking.
“Caleb,” she said. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Walking today. I’m headed to the Zook’s. Dat needs to borrow one of his saws, and I said I’d fetch it.”
Mellie swallowed and nodded.
“Just thought I’d stop in since I was passing by.”
Mellie licked her lips and looked at him. He didn’t appear to have any other reason to be there, and her mind buzzed trying to think of something to say. Why did she always get so nervous when he was around? It was aggravating to say the least.
“Going to be a nice day,” she finally blurted and then winced. How boring can I be?
“We’re hoping for a bit of rain. The crops are getting dry,” Caleb responded. He took off his straw hat and came closer, glancing at her baked offerings. “I see you have fresh cinnamon rolls today.”
Mellie grinned, on safe territory now. “Jah, I do. Could I be tempting you with some?”
Caleb laughed, and his eyes gleamed. Mellie caught her breath. Why did the man have to be so handsome?
“Mellie Fisher, you can always tempt me with those cinnamon rolls. I ain’t never tasted anything so fine.” He gazed at a package and pulled out his money.
Mellie raised her hand. “You can have them today, Caleb. As a prize for being such a good customer.” Mellie was shocked at her own words. She wasn’t in the habit of giving her sweets away. What must Caleb be thinking?
“I appreciate that,” he said. “I truly do. But now, that wouldn’t be right, would it?”
“You can have them.” She picked up a package and held them out at the same moment he raised his hand toward her. In a quick second, their arms knocked against each other and the rolls tumbled to the ground.
“Ach!” she cried, bending down.
Caleb squatted down to pick them up, too. For a frozen moment, their eyes locked, their faces so close together she could almost feel his breath on her cheeks. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t move. Something in the back of his eyes caught and held her as if in a trance. There was something there. Something in his gaze…
“Uh-uh … here you go,” he stuttered, grabbing the rolls from the floor. “I’m sorry. Are they smashed?”
Mellie swallowed hard and jolted back to a standing position. What had she seen in his eyes? She surely must have been mistaken, for she thought she’d seen affection there. But no, she was wrong, for he had stood up, too, and the look on his face was anything but affectionate. Instead, all she saw was confusion and a cold wariness.
He coughed and pulled out his money. “Now, I need to pay, for sure and for certain. They’re not sellable now.”
She took a slight step back. “Jah. They’re not sellable which is why you must take them. You have no choice.” She gave him a wavering smile, fighting a sudden urge to burst into tears.
He looked down at the floor and took a big breath before bringing his eyes to hers once again. “All right. And thank you, Mellie.” His voice was soft and for a split second, he’d dropped his guard again. Then he backed up toward the door, all business.
“Have a gut day.” He turned on his heel and left the store.
She ran after him, catching the door before it closed completely. “I told Beth!” she called after him.
He stopped and turned. “What?”
“About you asking after her last time. I told her.”
He bit his lower lip and slowly nodded. “Thank you.”
“She’ll be ready,” Mellie said. While Beth hadn’t told her specifically that she’d go in Caleb’s courting buggy that Sunday evening, Mellie knew she would. Who wouldn’t? Given Caleb’s handsome good looks and his pleasant personality.
Again, Caleb thanked her. For another moment, they stared at each other. Then Mellie smiled weakly and withdrew back into her shop. Why had she felt compelled to bring up Beth?
Because I feel guilty, she answered herself. Because I’m much too fond of her beau. It isn’t right. It’s scandalous, that’s what it is. And certainly not pleasing to Gott.
She looked around her shop and decided it was a good time to wash down all the shelves and tables. A burst of vigorous labor would stop her wayward thoughts in their tracks and put her mind on something else.
At least, that was what she hoped.
“He came again?” Beth questioned her. “Why?”
“Just stopping by,” Mellie answered. “That’s what he said anyway. And so you know, I gave him some of my cinnamon rolls.”
“He didn’t pay you?” Beth looked shocked.
“He offered, but I wouldn’t let him.” Mellie took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “He’s practically family, isn’t he?”
Beth gave her a sharp look. “If you’re trying to wheedle your way into my secrets, you can save your breath.” She folded the dishtowel over the rung at the edge of the kitchen counter.
Mellie grimaced. “You can’t blame me for trying. You’ve been awfully close-mouthed lately.”
Beth shrugged. “Nee. That’s not true. I’m just not broadcasting everything. Besides, you know it’s not our way. And for that matter, I haven’t heard you blathering on about Obadiah Westman. Has he asked to take you home from the singing?”
Mellie stiffened. She remembered her recent thought that she should give Obadiah’s attention real consideration. “Nee. He hasn’t asked.”
“Well, if he does, you should accept. He’s nice. And not bad to look at,” Beth said, giving her a nudge.
Beth was right. Obadiah was nice and good-looking. His eyes were brown, unlike Caleb’s blue ones. And his hair was a lighter shade of brown. It was longer than Caleb’s, falling over his forehead and even covering his eyes at times. He had broad shoulders and was of medium height, Caleb being much taller.
Mellie gave a start. Since when did she so blatantly compare the two? Couldn’t she consider Obadiah on his own merits?
“I could tell Caleb to let Obadiah know you’re interested,” Beth said.
“Nee!” The word came loud and fast from Mellie’s lips. Her face went hot. “I mean, if Obadiah wants to ask me, he’ll ask me. No need to draw Caleb into it.”
She turned away from Beth and busied herself with straightening the plates in the cupboard, something that didn’t need to be done.
“Mellie?” Beth’s tone was solemn. Mellie cringed. Had Beth guessed her attraction to Caleb?
“What?” she responded, not looking at her.
“Why don’t you go with Caleb and me to the singing?”
Now, Mellie swirled around to her sister. “What? Go in the courting buggy with you? Are you crazy?”
Beth’s brows drew down low over her eyes. “Nee, I’m not crazy. I just thought it’d be nice if the three of us went together.”
“Caleb would have a fit.”
Beth shook her head. “He wouldn’t. He likes you fine, and you’re good company.”
Mellie studied her sister. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would you want me to go?”
Beth fidgeted with her hands and then gave Mellie a pronounced smile. “I just thought it’d be fun. Do say yes, Mellie. Please.”
There was an odd tone in Beth’s voice that Mellie couldn’t pinpoint. But her sincerity was clear enough. Beth smiled again and touched Mellie’s arm. “Say you’ll come.”
Against Mellie’s better judgement, she heard herself agree. A few minutes later, she left the kitchen doubting her own sanity.
Chapter Four
“Girls, did you finish redding up the kitchen?” Ruthie asked.
Mellie and Beth both turned away from the window where they were awaiting Caleb’s arrival.
“Jah,” Mellie answered, wondering why Ruthie didn’t just go into the kitchen and check for herself.
“Gut, because you know how busy it’s going to be tomorrow morning.
”
Mellie’s eyebrows raised in question. “Why? What’s happening tomorrow?”
“It’s Monday,” Ruthie said. “And what with all my kinner, we’re going to have plenty of laundry to do.”
There was always plenty of laundry to do on a Monday. Although, Ruthie was right, adding her family to the mix would increase the load exponentially. But Ruthie would be there, lending an extra pair of hands to the job.
“Four kinner, you know,” Ruthie added.
Mellie bit back her annoyance. From Ruthie’s talk, one would think four children was a herd. In reality, four children was next to nothing in their district. In fact, four children would be considered a small family. Mellie wondered why Ruthie felt continually compelled to make an issue of it.
“Don’t worry, Ruthie,” Beth said. “We’ll get it done. Mellie doesn’t open her shop on Mondays.”
Which was true, something that Mellie regretted right then. She’d have to fortify herself to spend the whole day with Ruthie come Monday.
“He’s here,” Beth said. She looked at Ruthie. “We’re leaving now.”
Ruthie stooped to peer out the window and shook her head. “Why two girls are going in one courting buggy is beyond me. And in my day, the young man brought the girl home from singing, not took her there. Who’s he really here to pick up?”
Neither Mellie nor Beth answered. They both simply waved their good-bye and ran out the door. But Ruthie wasn’t wrong. Most times a young man would escort a girl home—albeit, the long way. But Caleb wasn’t most young men. For some reason, he wanted to take Beth to and from the singing. Which, by all views, seemed mighty odd.
Dread climbed through Mellie’s gut as they hurried down the steps. What was Caleb going to think when he saw her climb in? He had already gotten out of the buggy, no doubt to help Beth inside. When he spotted Mellie, he stopped dead.
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 3
