The Amish Christmas Sleigh (28 page)

She shook her head. “I'm surprised you bought his haus sight unseen.”

He laughed. “We had become fast friends. I trusted him.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I needed somewhere to live. The Stolzfuses planned to move back to Berlin someday, but they liked Lancaster better. The price was right. If anything was wrong with the haus, I knew I could repair it.” He walked over to a Jacob's Ladder–patterned quilt. “This caught my eye while we were talking. Did you sew this quilt?”

“I did. The Jacob's Ladder pattern is my favorite one to stitch.”

He put his mug on the counter. “This would be perfect to drape over the back of my settee.” He shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out some coins. “I'll buy it.”

She lifted his purchase off three wooden pegs, folded the material, and unpinned the small white paper. “The price is two dollars.” She showed him the pocket. “You could write a letter, tuck it inside, and give the quilt to someone special for a keepsake.”

He pressed the money into her hand. “Maybe I will someday.”

His rough-skinned fingers grazed hers, and she warmed. The man had left his friends, his church, and everything familiar behind. How intriguing. She doubted she'd have the strength to do the same. “Won't you miss your friends?”

“Jah, but I'll write to them.” He lifted his purchase, then glanced at the clock. “I should go. I bought livestock, a rooster, and some hens from an Englischer I met at the general store after I left your shop this morning. His name's Jed Post. He told the store owner he was moving and asked if he knew anyone who would be interested in buying them. I introduced myself, and the man sold them to me for a gut price. He's bringing them to me around ten.”

“The man's timing and yours couldn't have been better. Have a gut day. I'll meet you here tomorrow morning.”

He grinned and closed the door behind him.

Grace smiled as the door shut. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.