A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters) (24 page)

I wonder how many children Samuel and I’ll have. Would they have a large Amish family like many in their community did, or would they only be blessed with a small family?
In their world, families usually ranged from eight to ten children. Amish couples never practiced birth control and prayed for children. “
Mamm
said a lot that
kinner
were such a blessing. She would have welcomed having more children. Samuel’s
mamm’s
disappointed that she only has three children.”

Aunt Carrie nodded. “Children are a blessing from the Lord. Irene and I were blessed with great
kinner
. I would’ve liked more than two, but it wasn’t God’s will.”

As the light turned green, she said, “We seem to spend a lot of time in the car together. I bet you’re going to miss me when you drive back home.”

“It’ll be lonely without you riding with me. At least, Scott’s coming home this evening so that will be nice. I won’t be rattling around in the house by myself.”

“I wonder if Mary Zook will wait on us.”

“She has to know by now that she’s not going to get Samuel away from you.” Aunt Carrie glanced at her. “I bet Mary’s cousin called and told her what Violet said about you and Samuel dating for two years and that he asked you to marry him.”

“Mary doesn’t give up easily.”

“Is there going to be a fall wedding? I’ve been thinking about what we should get you for a wedding gift.”

“I’m not positive but we’re thinking about a November wedding.” She grinned. “Don’t say anything yet to anyone. Samuel hasn’t asked
Daed
for my hand in marriage. Remember we are to keep our engagement a secret until late summer. Then Samuel and I can share it with our family.” She liked how the Amish didn’t bother with engagement rings and didn’t announce an engagement until a few weeks ahead of the wedding ceremony. Samuel would be giving her an engagement gift instead of a ring.
I wonder if he’ll give me the customary clock or a china set.

“I’ll keep your secret. We should get you a gas refrigerator and stove for your new house.”

“That’s too generous.”

“Well, at least we can get one big kitchen appliance for you. You love to cook and bake so we’ll get you a stove. I love cooking on a gas stove. “Aunt Carrie paused for a moment and continued, “Will Samuel have the house built in time? But I’m sure Peter and David will help build it plus Samuel’s family. It’d be fun to have Scott and Adam help with your house too. They would need a lot of direction but they’re quick learners.”

“We’re thinking about living with my family for several months so you don’t have to buy the gas stove until we move. Samuel suggested it. He thinks it’ll be better for my brothers.”

“Samuel’s a keeper. I hope someday Violet meets a nice and good man like Samuel.”

“Violet’s hoping Nick will become interested in her but you know that.”

Aunt Carrie parked the SUV in the side lot next to the bakery. “She has liked Nick since he was a roommate with Adam their first year at college.”

“I can’t believe we got here so quickly. It takes much longer when I’m driving the buggy.”

“Fields Corner’s a lovely little town.” Aunt Carrie glanced at the various businesses as she removed the key from the ignition. “How long has the fabric store been here?”

“Not too long. Maybe four months. It’s been a blessing having it here so we don’t have to go as far to get material for our clothes.”

“Is it owned by an Amish woman?”

She nodded. “It’s owned by two partners. One woman’s Amish and one’s English. They have yarn too.”

“I’ll stop in and get yarn for my shawls before I start home.”

“You certainly are great at supporting Amish women and their businesses.”

As soon as they entered the bakery, Katie led them to a round table next to a window.

“I’ll take your order, then ask
Mamm
if I can join you for a few minutes. As you can see, we have few customers. We do have several to go orders that I need to help fill.”

Aunt Carrie ordered a chicken pot pie and coffee. Rachel decided on the soup of the day which was potato soup. She added a toss salad and iced tea to her order.

Katie flipped the white cup on the table over and left with their orders, saying she’d be back soon with their drinks.

“Do you think they should put restaurant in the name?” Aunt Carrie asked. “Maybe they’d get more customers.”

“Mrs. Weaver doesn’t want to do that since they’re mainly a bakery. She serves breakfast and lunch because there isn’t any place else to eat in Fields Corner except a pizza place.” Rachel grinned. “And she added the menu for meals when Samuel opened his furniture store. He likes to eat here for a break.”

Katie set Rachel’s glass of tea on the table before pouring coffee in Aunt Carrie’s cup. Mrs. Weaver said hello to them as she brought a basket of warm whole wheat rolls and

Rachel’s salad. “I’m happy you’re back home, Rachel. When Samuel told me you wanted to work here again, it made my day.”

“
Danki
, for the rolls. They smell and look delicious.” Aunt Carrie broke a roll apart before buttering it.

“It’s good you two are here now because Katie can’t wait to tell you about her new plan. I need to get back to the kitchen, but we’ll talk more later.” Mrs. Weaver smiled at them before she rushed away.

Katie pulled a chair away from the table and said, “While you two eat, I’ll tell you what I have in mind.”

Rachel dumped a little dressing on her salad. She liked her Thousand Island dressing on the side because too much prevented her from actually tasting the vegetables. “Why don’t you eat with us?”

“I had a sandwich before you came in, but I’ll eat dessert with you later.” Katie scooted her chair in closer to the table. “I’m not going to wait around to see if I get married.”

“Just because Tim wasn’t for you, God might have someone else in mind to be your husband.” She looked her friend over carefully and realized Katie seemed extremely happy about something.

“I know but if it doesn’t happen, I can be an aunt to your children.” Katie’s blue eyes twinkled. “Of course, I hope children don’t happen too soon because I need your help in my new business.”

Aunt Carrie sipped her coffee. “I love it. Another new business in Fields Corner.”

What could Katie possible have in mind?
She’d already committed to working again at the bakery. With Judith studying for her GED exam, she couldn’t devote herself to working at another place. “What do you have in mind?”

“I want to start a catering business. I’d like you to bake the cakes and cookies. I know you’re going to work here again, so it can be on a trial basis. I’ll have to arrange for an English driver to get me to places that might take too long by buggy. I want to do wedding receptions, school athletic banquets, and any type of anniversary parties.”

“I wish I didn’t live so far away. I’d definitely love you to cater some of the parties we give.”

“Too bad you and your husband couldn’t move to Fields Corner.” Katie arched her eyebrow. “I’d get all kinds of business if I catered parties for a famous senator and his wife. Not that I should brag, though. That wouldn’t be right. I’ll stay humble even if I do well.”

“What will you call your new business?” She jabbed her fork into a tomato, thinking how catering sounded like a lot of work but didn’t want to discourage Katie. It was
gut
to see her excited about something again.

“I’m thinking of Katie’s Catering. So what do you think, Rachel?”

“I can bake cakes and help you get started. I’ll have to see how it works out with taking care of my
daed
and brothers plus working here.” Katie had talked for years about growing up so she could get married and have children. “Well, maybe you’ll meet some nice Amish man while you do your catering.”

Katie shrugged. “I doubt that. I’ll probably be catering for the English get-togethers. I won’t meet any Amish man. I don’t care anymore about getting married. God might want me to remain single and serve others as a single woman. I can be more helpful to
Mamm
at home and still work in the bakery.”

“Are you sure Tim’s out of the picture? I can’t see him leaving our church to marry an outsider.”

“Even if Tim decides to stop seeing the English woman and wants to date me again, I’ll refuse. I’m excited about having a cottage business. I guess it’s in my blood already with two
wunderbaar
businesses in the family.”

Mrs. Weaver placed the chicken pot pie and a bowl of soup on the table. “Rachel, if you can start here on Tuesday, I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll be here early on Tuesday.
Danki
, for hiring me part-time.”

“Samuel asked me to tell you to stop in after you eat lunch.” Mrs. Weaver touched her shoulder before glancing at Aunt Carrie. “I’ll pray you have a safe trip home. I’m glad the weather’s cooperating and it’s not raining or snowing.”

“Thank you.” Aunt Carrie said in a sympathetic voice, “Martha, I’m sorry about your sister. You and your family are in my prayers. ”

“It was a shock, that’s for sure. It’s hard on the children and my brother-in-law. And she left a newborn baby.”

“Does your brother-in-law have anyone to help him?”

Mrs. Weaver nodded. “His own mother lives with them. It’s a blessing he has her to help with the baby and other children.”

While the two older women continued their conversation, Katie whispered to Rachel, “Samuel and I saw your newspaper pictures this morning. We didn’t tell
Mamm
about them. Fortunately, Mary’s been busy baking cupcakes for a baby shower so she was in the back when we saw the paper.”

She hoped Samuel hadn’t bought the newspaper so he could see her pictures. “I told him about them on Sunday. Is he upset about the one with Nick? It’s not what it looks like.”

“
Ya
, he’s not happy about the headline and the pictures. A customer showed me the paper at the counter this morning because she recognized you. Samuel was here eating breakfast and he heard her asking me if you had left the Amish community.” She gave an apologetic glance. “I had to show it to Samuel.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go see him.”

Katie stood. “I better scoot and get back to work.”

* * *

Samuel couldn’t get the picture of Rachel and Nick out of his mind. Hearing about it from Rachel was one thing but actually seeing Nick and Rachel together on the bench was something else. Tapping his fingers against his desk, he thought how people said that a picture was worth a thousand words. Not pleasant words in this case.
Why would Rachel sit right next to Nick in her skimpy clothes?
Sure, she said it was innocent and how they spoke about their mothers. She’d explained how the picture wasn’t accurate because the bench was small and they had to sit close together. He’d liked the photo better if she had talked to Nick during the daytime in her Plain clothing. Then there wouldn’t be a picture of them looking like they were enjoying a romantic night on the beach.

Their closeness on the bench obviously inspired the photographer to snap the photo and to submit it to the newspaper. He hated the headline, “A new love match between Senator Robinson’s Amish niece and a family friend.” Was Rachel telling the whole truth about her conversation with Nick? It looked like to him that Adam’s friend was interested in Rachel. Would Nick have wanted to spend time with Rachel if she had been unpleasant to look at? Maybe that was being judgmental, but had Nick hoped to take advantage of Rachel’s beauty and innocence? He sighed. Nick was Adam’s friend so probably nothing happened to cause him to worry.

He definitely needed to talk to Rachel about this bench picture. Even the volleyball shot bothered him. She and her family might go to Outer Banks in the summer to visit with the Robinsons. Would Nick happen to pop up again so he could spend more time with Rachel?

He decided to make phone calls to his customers while Rachel ate lunch with her aunt. That would give him something constructive to do while he waited for Rachel. When he was on the fourth call, he heard Rachel come into the shop.

She pulled a chair next to his and smiled. He noticed how pretty she looked in a lavender dress. After Samuel finished his call, he asked, “How was lunch?”

“It was delicious.” Sighing, she smoothed her apron. “It’s
gut
Katie has something else to think about other than Tim, but I don’t know about this catering business. She wants me to help her by baking cakes and cookies.”

Katie must not have mentioned to Rachel that he saw the newspaper photos. He thought sure Katie would tell Rachel why he wanted to talk to her. “She wants the best baker. Did you bake while you were in Florida?”

She shook her head. “No. I cooked breakfast once for Violet and Aunt Carrie. I helped prepare the meals but never baked. Why do you ask?”

“I know how much you enjoy baking so I’ve wondered if you had any time to bake for your relatives. Or maybe make a special pie for someone?”

“Is Nick…the someone you have in mind?”

“
Ya
. It seems you were busy spending time walking and playing with Nick. Is that why you didn’t have time to bake?”

Chapter Twenty-One

Rachel raised her eyebrows at him. “Obviously, you saw the beach pictures. That’s why I warned you about them on the phone. I didn’t want you to take them the wrong way. There was no love match between me and Nick.”

“The headline wasn’t any better than the picture.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“The picture with you wearing your Plain clothing was nice. I liked it but I didn’t like the other two photos.”

What did he find offensive about the volleyball game picture? Was it because she had capris and a blouse on?
“What was wrong with the picture of all of us playing volleyball?”

Samuel crossed his arms. “You had this big smile on your face when you looked at Nick.”

“We were playing on the same team. What did you want me to do? Give him a nasty look?”

“Hearing you tell me about the bench picture was one thing, but actually seeing it is something else. You and Nick looked close and like you were involved with each other.” He chewed on his bottom lip. “Nick saw more of you than I ever have. You were in a swimming suit and in skimpy clothes around him.”