The Amish Baker's Rival

by Marie E. Bast

  “Yes, I realize that.”

  The next mile was quiet as Mary stared out her side window. She glanced his way, and he turned slightly to steal a look at her blond hair. Her cornflower-blue eyes set his heart ticking so hard he was afraid she’d hear it. He’d fibbed to her. He didn’t need her as a buffer between him and his grandparents, he just wanted to enjoy sitting beside her. She was lovely.

  “This is the place.” Mary’s voice brought him out of his musing.

  “Thanks, I wasn’t paying attention.” He pulled in the drive and parked by the house.

  She leaned in. “Are you nervous about seeing your grosseldre again?”

  Slowly, he turned toward her. “In a way, my family is such a mystery to me. They’re kin, yet they’re strangers. But I want to know them, see them and feel like I’m part of their family.”

  She smiled. “So you’re thinking about converting to Amish?”

  “No, I don’t really see me driving around in a buggy, going without electricity and dressing like everyone else in the community.”

  She eyed his plaid shirt then dropped her gaze to his tan trousers. “Jah, I imagine Plain clothes wouldn’t really be your style.”

  The barn door opened, and Thomas Miller walked in their direction.

  Noah stepped out of his vehicle and opened the back door. “Mary, I brought a box of fresh green vegetables and some baked goods. Would you mind carrying it in the haus?”

  “Sure.” She glanced at Thomas approaching and turned to Noah. “Be honest with him. Don’t pretend to be a grandson then disappear from his life.”

  Mary’s words weighed on his heart as he walked to meet his grandpa. Mixed feelings pulled at his resolve. He had a dream for his future and expanding his brand into Des Moines. Yet he had a yearning to know his family, and in some small way, be part of their lives.

  As the old man approached, Noah held out his hand. “Good morning.”

  “Morgen. Did you come to help mend fence or learn to milk a cow?” Grandpa’s frown deepened, but he shook Noah’s hand.

  Noah wasn’t sure, but it almost sounded like his grandpa had made a joke. “I stopped by to bring Grandma some vegetables and baked goods from the store, but if you need help, I’ll gladly do what I can.”

  “Farming is hard work.”

  “I know that, but I’d like to work with you, learn about farming and understand why you love it.”

  Grandpa harrumphed. A deep line creased his forehead.

  The old man’s expression tore at Noah’s heart. The frown lines in his grandpa’s face pointed to uncertainty, and it clawed at Noah’s innermost man to think he wasn’t trusted. He didn’t want to disappoint his grandpa. He wanted to be able to talk to him and love him freely. But was that even possible? Would the old man let him? “Would you show me around your farm?”

  Grandpa’s face turned to one of puzzlement and then relaxed. “Jah, I can do that. Come, we’ll start with the milking floor.” He showed Noah all around the milking room and went through the procedures.

  Noah walked beside Grandpa in silence, Mary’s words circling around in his head. Be honest with him. That was the question. Was he being honest with the old man or was he being selfish?

  * * *

  Mary knocked on the door, and Anna opened it with a surprised look.

  “Gut Morgen, Anna.” Mary stepped in and set the box on the table. “Noah packed some fresh vegetables and breads for you.”

  “So our grandson has paid us another visit, and you came along. Danki, it’s gut to have company. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  “That would be nice.”

  “Is our grandson thinking about joining our community?”

  Mary caught her breath. “Anna, you’ll need to ask Noah that question. I can’t answer for him.”

  Anna’s eyes sparkled. “I thought maybe you were courting, and that would bring our family back together.”

  Her words startled Mary. “Nein. We are not courting.”

  Anna nodded with disappointment crossing her face.

  Mary’s chest ached for Anna. When Seth left, it ripped her heart in two and packed it with distrust. When he returned, it filled her with conflict. So she well imagined Anna’s distress. Mary hadn’t known that Anna and Thomas had a son Jeremiah. That’s the way it was with the Amish. If a child left the community, he was out of their lives. Now, this elderly couple had to deal with the conflict again.

  “Would you like to see my current quilt project, Mary?” Anna asked. “It’s turning out lovely.”

  “Sure.”

  Anna led the way to the room with her stretching rack. “It’s called a Prairie Star patchwork quilt.”

  “The fall colors are beautiful.” Mary examined the stitching. “You do gut work, Anna.”

  “And how is your bakery business? I enjoy stopping there when I’m in town.”

  A door banged closed, and Anna headed for the kitchen with Mary falling into step behind her. Thomas was in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee.

  He nodded at Mary. “Noah is waiting for you by his vehicle.”

  “Danki. It was nice seeing you both.” She hurried outside and down the walk. Noah held open the door, and she slid onto the seat. “What happened?”

  Noah started the engine, drove down the drive and turned onto the gravel road. “He showed me around, starting with the milking floor and explained the procedure. Then he told me I should be learning this from my father. He reminded me that he was Amish, and I’m Englisch.”

  Mary stared straight ahead. Thomas had politely drawn the line for Noah. It was a warning for him...that each should stay in their rightful community.

  A twinge plucked at her heart. Jah, she too needed to take care and not spend too much time with Noah. He was Englisch and nothing could become of their friendship. She glanced his way as a hollow spot notched in her heart.

  Chapter Ten

  Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., Mary held open the front door of the bakery as Glenn and his sohn from Bender Building and Supply carried in the Formica countertop she wanted installed as a bar for stools.

  “Morgen, Mary. We should be done by the end of the day. Pete’s coming to do the electrical work, jah?”

  “He promised he would be here today.” A knock sounded on the back door. “Excuse me, Glenn.”

  She hurried to the kitchen and opened the back door. “Morgen, Pete. Glenn just asked if you were going to make it.”

  Pete set his Smuckers Electrical toolbox on the kitchen floor. “Sorry, I’m a little late, forgot something and had to run back to the shop and fetch it. But don’t worry, the additional outlets should all be installed by the end of the day.”

  “Danki, I really appreciate it.” Mary moved from the kitchen to the front of the bakery, checking on the progress of the countertop.

  When convinced the men could handle things without her, Mary poured a cup of coffee and retreated to the office. She pulled out the bookkeeping ledger and journal and started catching up on bookwork. After three hours of nonstop work, she closed the books. The bottom line showed an increase in revenue. She was glad of that, but income still needed to be higher.

  Mary wandered from her office into the front of the bakery and set her cup down. As her gaze swept the room, her jaw dropped open. The mounted counter fit perfectly under the windows. It was lovely and functional. The brown Formica matched the wooden stools. Hopefully, it would attract young customers to stop in for a cappuccino or latte.

  Glenn pushed the front door open, set a box on the floor and began to fill it with scraps of wood and countertop. “It’ll look better when I have the sawdust cleaned up and the stools unboxed and pushed under the counter.”

  “It looks wunderbaar.” She walked around to get a better look. “Don’t worry about the sawdust. Jacob is going to help me clean and paint tomor
row. I’m just pleased you could work us into your schedule so fast.”

  “Glad to do it.”

  “Do I write a check now?”

  “Nein. I have to add it all up and send you an invoice. We’ll finish up and be out of your hair.”

  Pete poked his head around the kitchen doorjamb into the bakery. “I’m done. I’ll total and send an invoice.”

  “Danki, Pete.” Mary followed him to the kitchen and ran her gaze around. “The extra outlets look gut. It’s going to be great having them. And the generator that powers the bakery’s electricity will be large enough to handle the extra outlets?”

  “No problem, it’s big enough.”

  After Pete gathered his toolbox and left, Mary headed back to the front of the bakery for one last walk through. She flicked the light switch, hitched King and steered him for home.

  The peaceful clip-clop of horse’s hooves on the road was soothing. Mary leaned back in the seat and let King set his gait to an easy trot. A new sensation bloomed in her chest. The old bakery was her stiefmutter Sarah’s, but the newly decorated bakery was her idea. And even though the changes were minor, it made the shop feel like hers.

  She clutched the string of her prayer kapp and twirled it around her finger. Jah, she would definitely have to confess that outburst of self-satisfaction and pride at what she’d done for the bakery. But who could blame her? It was finally happening! Her bakery was getting a new face.

  King turned into the drive and headed for the barn. She unhitched the buggy, wiped King down and filled his oat and water pails. His brown eyes widened with anticipation. She patted his mane and closed the barn door behind her. She carried her quilted bag to the haus and hung it on a peg by the door.

  Her stiefmutter turned from the sink. “You’re home. How did it go today?”

  “Wunderbaar. It looks great. I can’t wait until Jacob and I get it painted tomorrow.”

  Jacob banged the screen door closed. “What am I going to get out of all this work?”

  Mary ran over to him and mussed his hair. “I’ll make you my contest apple pie and you can eat the whole thing.”

  He chuckled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  The screen door squeaked open and Daed wiped his shoes on the rag rug. “What’s going on in here?”

  “I was telling them the additional outlets and the new counter were installed today and it all looks wunderbaar.” Mary gave Daed a kiss on the cheek. “Danki.”

  “Gut, I’m glad to hear it. Do you think it will help keep the bakery open?” His tone laced with skepticism.

  Mary took a step back. “Daed, it sounds like you don’t believe I can do it?”

  “Nein. I didn’t mean that. You are a terrific baker, and you can do whatever you set your mind to do. I’m only saying that Noah’s store also has fresh vegetables, a nice deli and delicious baked goods.”

  “And how do you know how his food tastes?” she huffed.

  Silence loomed across the kitchen.

  Jacob shoved his hands in his pocket. “If Daed and I are hungry when we’re in town, Noah’s deli is a convenient place to grab a quick sandwich or a slice of pizza. His tuna sandwiches are super, and I don’t care much for tuna fish.”

  “So you go behind my back and sneak off to the competition.” Her voice strained. “And what do you think of his breads and pastries, are they gut?”

  Jacob glanced at Daed. “Jah, his pastries are gut. His pecan pie is better than yours.”

  Mary gasped. “You’re just saying that.”

  “Sorry, sis, but I’m telling the truth.” Jacob reached up and pulled a string on her prayer kapp. “You better practice for that baking contest, because you’re going to need all the practice you can get. Have you tried his baking? His croissants are the best I’ve ever had.”

  Mary turned toward Daed. “Is that what you think, too?”

  Daed nodded.

  Mary pulled a chair away from the table and sat. “Mamm, I had no idea.”

  Sarah wrapped her arms around Mary. “We’ll work on some recipes. You’ll see. We’ll come up with some delicious new ones.”

  Horses’ hooves tromped up the drive, and buggy wheels skidded to a stop. Daed stepped to the door and walked out on the porch.

  A minute later, he burst back into the kitchen. “The bakery is on fire. Let’s get to town.”

  “I’ll stay here with the kinner,” Mamm yelled. “Mary, you and Jacob go. Hurry!”

  “Mary, get your things. Jacob and I’ll hitch the buggy,” Daed shouted on his way out the door.

  Mary paced the ground until the buggy pulled up to the haus with both Tidbit and King hitched. She jumped in the back seat.

  Daed shook the reins. “Hee-yah!” The horses jerked the buggy and tore off down the driveway. Daed slowed them to turn onto the road then headed to town. He tapped the reins again. “Hee-yah.”

  Mary twisted her hands on her quilted bag handles so hard her fingers hurt. “Go faster, Daed.”

  “Jah, I’m trying to do that, but others use the road too. The firemen are there taking care of it.”

  “I know, but I want to see what’s happening.” The three miles to town seemed endless to Mary.

  Arriving at the edge of town, the air reeked of burnt wood. When the buggy drew closer, toxic fumes from the fire stung Mary’s eyes. As the building came into view, she scooted to the end of the seat, threw her hands to her mouth and gasped. Daed stopped outside the barricades. Firetrucks, police cars and red lights filled the street in front of the bakery.

  Mary sniffled as tears filled her eyes and drenched her cheek. “Nein, nein.” Flames still engulfed the inside of the building as hoses spayed water from all sides. “Nein.” She threw herself back against the seat. “Oh, nein, Mamm is going to be devastated.”

  She slipped her hand in her bag, scratched around and pulled out a handkerchief. She wiped the tears off her cheeks and blew her nose.

  Daed turned King and Tidbit around. “I’m going to get the horses away from here. We’ll walk back and get closer.” He parked in a lot a block away.

  Jacob opened the door, Mary jumped out, and they walked toward the destruction. Her body was numb, her legs almost unwilling to take another step. She stopped in front of Noah’s store and watched the smoldering building from the other side of the street outside the police barricades.

  Thirty minutes later, firefighters still shouted to each other and aimed hoses at the dying flames. Noah stood in his yellow Nomex gear beside something they’d taken from the burning building. Black char clung to the sides, so Mary couldn’t make out the object.

  Daed stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  “Jah, but even seeing it, I’m still in disbelief.”

  He squeezed her to his side.

  Mary drew a deep breath with sobs catching in her throat. “Can we rebuild right away?”

  Her vater patted her arm. “We’ll have to talk to Sarah and see what she wants to do.”

  Mayor Conrad walked up behind Daed and patted him on the back. “Sorry about the bakery, Caleb. We need your business in town, so I hope you decide to rebuild.”

  “Danki, Mr. Conrad. It’s just such a shock. Something we never expected to happen.”

  “We’re all praying for your family. I’m going to go over and talk to the fire chief. Take care, Caleb.” Mayor Conrad turned and faced Mary. “It’s a real shame, but rebuild.” He nodded, then headed across the street.

  Jacob shuffled his feet around on the sidewalk, trying to get a better look. “Daed, I’m going to go over and talk with Noah Miller and see if the firemen know where the fire started.”

  Daed nodded. “They might not know yet, but I’ll walk with you.”

  They crossed the street, staying out of the firefighters’ way. When
Noah had his hands free, Jacob approached him and they talked for a minute. After a few more moments, Jacob and Daed walked closer to the building where the chief was, but Noah turned and headed toward Mary.

  He stopped beside her and turned back to look at the charred building. “How ya doing, Mary? Sorry about Sweet Delights.” He stumbled over each word in a soft voice.

  Tears blurred her eye. “Now you’re the only bakery in town.” Her voice quaked and tears streamed down her face. “I’ll never get my business back.”

  His amber gaze of concern met and held hers. “You’ll rebuild.” He stepped closer, as if trying to lend her his strength should she need it.

  “Amish don’t have insurance. By the time we find the money, which I doubt Daed could do, everyone would be used to shopping at your store.”

  “Don’t underestimate your loyal customers. Sure, they might like something I sell, pizza, a favorite sandwich, but they still love Sweet Delights.”

  Her chest ached, her eyes felt puffy, and her face was wet with a continuous stream of tears. “The mainstay of my life has been ripped from me. Even if we can rebuild, it won’t be the same place that Sarah’s daed started. His soul filled those four walls. Customers remember all the gut times they had there, his recipes, his joking with them. He helped the community, and they loved him. Most of his recipes were just destroyed.”

  “Did you have his recipe book locked in a safe? The fire burned at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.” He softened his voice. “There won’t be much, if anything salvageable. The book would have burned.”

  She gulped a breath as her life was tearing into pieces at his news. “Jah, I locked the recipe book in the safe, along with the ledger and journal.” She sobbed. “Now everything is gone.”

  Why, Gott...why? I have nothing to my name. I loved Sarah’s bakery, and You took that. I don’t even have my quilt anymore.

  Noah wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Shh, Mary. Sometimes God takes away so He can give us something better.” His words wrapped around her like a prayer. “It might not be much, but the safe survived the fire. It’s smoldering now, but we had the hot fire put out in forty-five minutes. I’ll have it moved to my store for safekeeping, if you want.”