by Ruth Reid
Sincerely,
Your Pen Pal
Noah folded the letter as Stella entered the shop. “I hitched your buggy for you,” she said.
“Why?”
She planted her hand on her hip. “Can you really let someone you love go?”
“I’ve always believed that if it’s meant to be—”
“If you’re going to listen to that foolish advice, then Ruby’s the maydel for you. You let her go and she returned, right?”
“Stella, I told you before—”
“I know you’re nett in love with Ruby. But you are in love with the woman from the bakery. The one you made the glasses for.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.
“I hitched the buggy for you. You have ten miles to figure out what you’re going to say to her.”
Could he risk rejection—again?
Mrs. Paddock sat at Lois and Matthew’s kitchen table, pen and contract in hand, along with a plate of Joy’s peppermint cookies positioned before her. “Have you given any more thought to working for me, Joy?”
“I haven’t changed my mind.” Joy lowered her head. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Matthew or see the disappointment in her sister’s eyes.
“I came prepared with a cashier’s check,” Mrs. Paddock told Matthew. “But under the current conditions . . .”
“We understand your reservation,” Matthew said. “And we’re having second thoughts as well.”
Joy stared at her brother-in-law in disbelief. The topic of selling the bakery was hardly mentioned over the last three days.
Matthew continued. “I think it’s in both of our interests to not go through with the sale.”
Mrs. Paddock stared at him a moment, then gathered the contract off the table. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” she said, tucking the papers into her briefcase. Mrs. Paddock stood and Matthew walked her to the door.
Joy leaned closer to Lois. “What just happened?”
Lois smiled. “We agreed with you. Mrs. Paddock wanted to make too many changes.” She wiped her eyes with a hankie. “It didn’t hit me until I saw the bakery sign leaning against the wall.”
Joy’s eyes welled. “Has Matthew kumm up with a way for us to keep it?”
“We’ll have to trust God for either the financial means or the right buyer.”
“With nay clauses forbidding me to bake.” Joy removed a cookie from the plate and took a bite. She’d released the bakery into God’s hands and He’d prevented the sale. If only she could release her feelings for Noah as easily.
Several minutes passed before Matthew returned to the kitchen. When Joy looked up, her eyes connected with Noah’s.
“Hiya.” Noah wiped his hands on the sides of his pants.
Joy blinked several times.
Lois nudged her arm. “Joy, you have a visitor.”
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
Noah gulped. “I, ah . . . I was hoping we could talk.” He motioned to the door. “Outside?”
“Okay.” She stood and swept her hand over the wrinkles in her dress. “I need to get mei cloak,” she said without looking him in the eye. She grabbed her cloak from the wall hook and followed him.
“I thought we could go on a sleigh ride.” He motioned to his buggy.
She hesitated. “Noah, I don’t think—”
“Please.” He smiled.
Joy looked down.
“A short ride.” He needed to talk with her. God hadn’t made a mistake when her package was delivered to him.
Joy climbed into the buggy.
Noah hurried and untied the reins, then climbed onto the bench. Sitting this close, a sweet scent of peppermint filled his senses. He tapped the reins before she changed her mind about going.
Pulling onto the main road, the buggy’s blade runners scraped the pavement until he turned down the first snow-covered trail.
“Are you warm?” he asked.
“Jah, I’m fine. How’s your ankle?”
“This is the first day the swelling went down enough to put my boot on.”
“I feel awful. Are you still in pain?”
“Nay, nett anymore.” At least not his ankle. His heart was another matter. Silence fell between them. Noah focused on the white puffs of air lingering around the horse’s head as his thoughts went a million directions. Anxiety was boring a hole through his stomach; he had to find a place to stop. At the first narrow path wide enough for a sleigh, he stopped Cracker.
“I brought some hot cocoa.” Noah reached behind the seat for the thermos. He poured a mug of steaming hot chocolate and handed it to her, then poured another mug for himself.
“Danki.” She sipped the drink, leaving a film of milk chocolate on her upper lip.
He smiled.
“What?”
He gently wiped the chocolate off with his thumb. Her eyes widened and he jerked his hand back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken the liberty.” She blushed.
Noah shifted on his seat so that he faced her. “I tried to tell you I was your pen pal the nacht of the Christmas gathering.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I lost mei nerve. I thought if you knew I was the cabinetmaker, you would stop talking to me—like you stopped writing.” He paused. Say you understand . . . “I read the letter you left with the glasses in mei shop. It said you were following mei advice and letting me go.”
She nodded. “Mei feelings were torn between two men.”
His heart twisted. “Henry and who?”
Joy shook her head. “The cabinetmaker . . . and you.” Her eyes welled with moisture.
She blinked and tears rolled down her face. He set his mug on the floorboard of the buggy, then lifted his hand to her face and dried her tears. Their gazes locked. He leaned closer—slowly—giving her a chance to resist. But overtaken by the powerful scent of cocoa and peppermint, he lowered his lips to hers, taking possession of her soft, sweet lips in a consuming way. He slipped his hand behind her shoulder and pressed her closer, deepening his kiss.
Her mug of hot chocolate tipped in her hand and hot liquid soaked into his pant leg. He broke from the embrace long enough to set her mug on the floor, then he took her back into his arms and kissed her with even more boldness.
She broke from the kiss, breathless. “Noah!”
He leaned back so he could look her in the eye. “I’m sorry. Did I go too far?”
“It won’t work between us,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Jah, it will. I know ten miles seems like a long ways, but—”
She scooted closer to the door. “I stopped writing because of what you said about Ruby. You didn’t want her to become a seamstress—just like Henry didn’t want me to work at the bakery.”
Noah shook his head. “It wasn’t because Ruby wanted to work. She allowed the world to persuade her to leave the faith. She wanted the Englisch lifestyle—not our way.” He brushed his hand against her wet face. “You’re nett thinking about becoming a fancy baker and leaving for the Englisch world, are you?”
“Nay, of course nett.”
“Gut.” He inched closer. “Because I didn’t just fall in love with your peppermint cookies, I fell in love with you.” He leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Mei pen pal.”
Joy sighed. “In your letter it didn’t sound like you loved mei cookies. You said I put too much peppermint in them.”
He grinned. “Do you forgive me?”
“That depends.” She smiled. “Are you still going to be mei pen pal?”
“Jah. Are you going to keep making me cookies?”
“Hmm . . .”
Noah pulled her into his arms. He trailed kisses from the tip of her nose, across her cheek, and over to her earlobe. “I have a new cookie idea,” he whispered in her ear.
She giggled. “Oh jah?”
“Cocoa”—he trailed kisses along her jaw to her lips—“and peppermint. They taste gut together.”
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“I’ll have to mix up a batch.” She nestled into his embrace as large snowflakes fluttered to the ground.
“Joy,” he whispered.
She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes.
“Didn’t your daed propose to your mamm on a sleigh ride?”
“Jah.” Her voice quivered.
“I’m in love with you . . . and—”
She sat up straighter. “Are you proposing?”
Noah winked. “You’ll have to watch your mail.”
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. Joy is so excited about the Second Christmas sleigh ride that she begins planning what refreshments she will serve in October. Do you have Christmas traditions that you look forward to every year?
2. Joy’s sister accused Joy of coveting the bakery since their parents’ death. Can you see how easily it could happen? Have you found that you’ve been guilty of coveting something in your life?
3. Could you relate to Joy’s pain when the soon-to-be new owner wanted to change the bakery? Did she make the right decision when she refused to take the job?
4. Noah struggled with telling Joy he was her secret pen pal because he had been hurt in a past relationship. Was his failure to tell her who he was the same as lying? Would you be able to forgive someone as Joy was able to forgive Noah?
5. Joy was upset when she found out that the new owner planned to bring in frozen products and wanted to modernize the bakery while at the same time use the family name. Was there ever a time in your life when you felt as though you were expected to conform to an idea or practice you didn’t believe in?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my thoughts would be paralyzed—so to Him I give the highest praise!
To my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, and my editors, Becky Philpott and Natalie Hanemann, you are all so wonderful and supportive. Thank you for believing in me.
To the team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, your dedication is truly amazing! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams.
To my husband, Dan, and my children, Lexie, Danny, and Sarah, your support and encouragement are such a blessing! I love you all so much.
To my critique partners and brainstorm buddies (you know who you are), I am so honored to have you as friends and prayer partners. My virtual sisters, your help is more valuable than words can express.
RECIPES FROM HER CHRISTMAS PEN PAL
HAZELNUT ALMOND BISCOTTI
3 cups flour
¼ cup hazelnut instant coffee powder
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 stick butter, softened
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup slivered almonds (or chopped nut of choice)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Divide dough in half. On lightly floured cookie sheet, shape into two logs about 16 inches long. (Dough will be sticky; coat hands with flour before shaping logs.) Place 2 inches apart on greased and floured cookie sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool for 5 minutes.
Cut diagonally and place on cookie sheet ½ inch apart. Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly browned.
Makes 2 dozen.
OATMEAL CRANBERRY WALNUT COOKIES
2 sticks butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1¼ teaspoons baking soda
1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups uncooked oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Drop tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 4 dozen.
PEPPERMINT-CANDY-FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES
1 cup butter
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 eggs
3¾ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat together butter, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Fold into first mixture. Refrigerate until firm.
Roll out dough on floured surface and cut with round cutter. Place on greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until lightly browned.
FROSTING
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
½ cup crushed peppermint candies
Stir together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. With an electric mixer, beat in corn syrup and peppermint extract until icing is smooth.
Spread over cooled cookies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
*Recipes provided by author.
An Excerpt from A Gift for Anne Marie
CHAPTER ONE
PARADISE, PENNSYLVANIA
Anne Marie Smucker pulled back the light-blue curtains and peered outside into the darkness. On her rural street, the only available light was the tall streetlamp a few houses down. She tapped her fingers against the window frame and squinted. Where is he? Her best friend Nathaniel was never late for game night.
She let the curtains fall and breathed in the scent of wintergreen and cinnamon. The spirit of the holiday was in the air. Her mother had started decorating for the season—placing pine boughs, cinnamon sticks tied with winter-white ribbon, and dried orange slices in a small arrangement on an end table near the front window in the living room. Like all her decorating, she kept it simple, yet lovely.
A few minutes later she went into the kitchen. Her mother stood by the stove, peeling off the foil from a pie plate. “What’s that?” Anne Marie asked.
“A new pumpkin pie recipe I tried yesterday. I’m hoping it will be gut enough for this year’s Christmas cookbook.” Her mother looked at her. “Would you like to try some?”
Anne Marie frowned. “Pumpkin? Nee.”
“I thought you liked pumpkin.”
“That must be your other dochder.”
“I only have one dochder, and she’s handful enough.”
Anne Marie chuckled as she moved closer to her mother and peeked at the pie. Flawless, as usual, with a golden, high-edged crust. It looked appetizing—to someone who liked pumpkin.
Mamm picked up a knife and sliced a small wedge. She put the piece on a nearby saucer. “Nathaniel’s not here yet?”
“Nee.” She frowned.
She heard a light tapping sound on the window of the back door. She turned and saw her friend Ruth Troyer waving a mitten-covered hand.
Anne Marie opened the door and let Ruth inside. “This is a surprise.”
Ruth smiled, the tip of her nose red from the cold air. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by for a minute.” She looked at Anne Marie’s mother. “Frau Smucker.”
“Hallo, Ruth. Would you like a piece of pie?” Mamm asked.
“Nee. I just need to speak with Anne Marie for a minute.” Ruth came closer to her and leaned in, her honey-colored eyes wide with curiosity. “Is Nathaniel here?”
Anne Marie shook her head. “He’s a little late tonight.”
Ruth let out a breath. “Gut.” She lowered her voice. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“We can geh into the living room.”
Once they entered the room, Ruth walked to the co
ffee table where Anne Marie had laid out the Scrabble board and tiles. “I see you’re ready for your game night.” She looked at Anne Marie. “I wish you’d come to the singing with me and Hannah tonight. You used to like them.”
“I did when I was younger. I don’t really see a reason to geh anymore.”
Ruth frowned. “Because you’re busy with Nathaniel?”
It seemed like the temperature in the room dropped twenty degrees. Anne Marie blinked. “Is something wrong, Ruth?”
Her friend paused. “Not really. It’s just . . .” Ruth clasped her hands together, her mittens making a soft clapping sound as they met. “I need your help.”
“Of course.”
“But I need to know something first.”
Anne Marie nodded. “What’s that?”
“Are you and Nathaniel together?”
That was the last thing she expected Ruth to say. “What? Of course not.”
Ruth blew out a breath. “Gut. Then you can help me get Nathaniel’s attention.”
“Attention? Why?”
Ruth cocked her head and rolled her eyes. “I have to explain it to you?”
Anne Marie paused. Then her eyes widened. “You like Nathaniel?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re just as oblivious as he is.”
“What?”
Ruth put her hands on the back of the chair near the coffee table. “I don’t know what to do to get him to notice me. I’ve dropped so many hints on him the past couple of weeks, I’m surprised he doesn’t have a headache. I even asked him to tonight’s singing. But then he reminded me about Sunday game night, which of course he couldn’t miss.”
Was that a touch of bitterness in Ruth’s tone? “I didn’t know you felt that way about him,” Anne Marie said.
“Now you do. So, will you help me?”
Anne Marie turned up the damper on the woodstove in the corner of the room. “I’m not sure what I can do.”
“You can give us your blessing.”
