Seasons of Sugarcreek 03. Autumn's Promise Read online

  Gretta nodded solemnly. “Yes, those are important tasks, to be sure.”

  “Oh, stop.” Chuckling, Lilly said, “Actually, I couldn’t wait to get out of the house today. My parents were driving me crazy.”

  Her friend grinned. “I hope not too crazy.”

  “Just enough.” Not eager to discuss anything more about what was going on in her house, Lilly looked around the kitchen. “What can I help you with?”

  Gretta lifted two pitchers. “These need to be filled. Also, Miriam made several dozen cookies last night. Could you refill the trays in the bakery case?”

  “Sure.” Without another word, Lilly set to work. As she made tea and prepared the drinks, she observed Gretta kneading bread at the wooden butcher block table. Gretta’s sleeves were rolled up, but, as usual, she worked as efficiently as ever. Her cornflower blue dress looked neat and spotless. So did her apron.

  But even more apparent was the sense of peace that seemed to surround her. Gretta was expecting her first baby around Thanksgiving. Lilly couldn’t help but contrast her excitement for Gretta’s pregnancy with the feeling of betrayal and sadness she felt for her mother’s.

  But really, what was the difference?

  Lilly knew she wasn’t making any sense. Actually, she had a feeling all her happiness about Gretta’s baby might vanish when she saw Gretta holding her newborn.

  Jealousy and despair might cloak her again and plunge her into depression.

  After a time, Gretta’s hands stilled. “Lilly, is anything wrong?” She looked at the front of her dress. “Am I covered in flour and I didn’t know it?”

  Lilly laughed. “Not at all. Sorry I was staring. I was just thinking you looked pretty.”

  Gretta blushed as she waved off Lilly’s words. “I’m as big as a field horse.”

  “Not quite that big,” Lilly teased.

  Gretta smiled too, then turned serious. “Lilly, truly, if you ever want to talk, just let me know. I am your friend.”

  “That’s sweet of you. But really, I’m fine,” she answered as the front door chimed. “Who could that be? We don’t open for another hour.”

  “Not everyone cares about our signs, you know. They just look for the lights on.”

  “I’ll go,” Lilly said as she turned around and pushed through the swinging door into the dining room, already saying, “I’m sorry, but we’re not open.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t want anything to eat. The only reason I’m here is to see you,” Cassidy Leonard said.

  Lilly stopped in her tracks. “Cassidy?” she murmured, stunned. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never expected to see you again.”

  “Obviously,” she said, in a voice thick with sarcasm.

  “You might as well have moved to Tibet or something. You never come back to Strongsville to visit. You just couldn’t fit it into your busy schedule?”

  Lilly supposed she deserved that. She and Cassidy had been friends since grade school. Though they hadn’t been quite as close her last year in high school, Lilly knew much of the reason was because of lack of time. They had both had busy schedules and boyfriends.

  And then, of course, she’d become pregnant and started keeping secrets.

  It had become easier to drift away from Cassidy and the rest of her friends than continue to lie. Which was why Cassidy hadn’t known that Lilly had become pregnant, planned to give the baby up for adoption, miscarried, and was now floundering in her life.

  No, all Cassidy knew was that Lilly Allen had moved less than three hours away and never looked back.

  But still…Lilly couldn’t believe one of her friends from Strongsville had come to Sugarcreek. After staring at her in shock, she ran over and hugged her tight.

  Thankfully, Cassidy’s arms wrapped around her, too. “Finally! I thought we were going to just stand here like frenemies for ages.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time adjusting to the fact that you’re standing across from me in Sugarcreek, of all places. What are you doing here?”

  “I missed you,” she said simply. “When you never wrote me back, I decided to come and see for myself why.” Still holding Lilly’s arms, Cassidy looked her over.

  “Hmm. So far, you look pretty good.”

  “Not as good as you.” Just as Lilly remembered, Cassidy was the picture of preppy perfection. Her brown hair was neatly combed and secured in a head-band. Her light brown eyes were skillfully outlined and highlighted with subtle makeup. And her casual button-down and tailored jeans looked like something out of a J. Crew catalog. “How come you aren’t in school?”

  “Today’s a holiday. Labor Day, you know.” Cassidy looked at her curiously. “Don’t you have the day off, too? Where are you going to college?”

  “I decided to wait a while to go.”

  “What? But all you ever used to talk about was becoming an English professor.”

  “That dream came and went,” she lied. Realizing that they were standing awkwardly near the door, she said, “Hey, want to sit down?”

  “Sure. Any place?”

  “Any place you want.” As soon as Cassidy took a chair, Lilly moved to the coffee bar. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “I just wanted to see you. Lilly, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting so nervous.”

  “Nothing. I’m just not used to having guests here,” she replied, thinking that the lies were coming easier and easier. “My boss is pretty strict.”

  “Maybe we should do this later. When do you get off?”

  “Not for eight hours.”

  “Oh. I can’t stay that long. Can’t you take some time off now?”

  “Not really.”

  “Oh.”

  The tension rising between them was becoming incredibly uncomfortable. “You should have called.”

  “Your number’s unlisted and you’re never online. Besides, I have a feeling you probably wouldn’t have even called me back.”

  Lilly winced, though she knew that it was a fair assessment. She had been avoiding her friends. “How did you even know I was here?”

  “Megan’s little sister is still friends with Ty. He told her you were working here. She told me.”

  Megan had been part of their circle of friends. And was yet another person she’d pushed away. Still not sure what to do with herself, Lilly said, “Let me go get us something to eat.” She scurried back into the kitchen before Cassidy could say anything.

  Gretta’s hands stilled when Lilly flew into the kitchen. “Who is that girl?”

  “A friend of mine from Cleveland.”

  “Oh, wonderbaar!”

  “Yes, it is.” Without hardly looking, Lilly pulled open the door to the walk-in fridge and chose the closest pie. A dutch apple. She sliced two pieces and set them on plates.

  “I’m going to sit for a minute with her, then I’ll be back.”

  “Take your time. We’re gut until others get here.” Cassidy grinned when Lilly set down the plates. “Yum. What kind of restaurant is this?”

  “Amish.”

  “Ah.” Instead of launching into the usual questions about the Amish, Cassidy played with her pie, cutting off a small portion and pushing it to one side. “You know…Alec still misses you.”

  Alec. Even hearing his name sometimes caused her hands to shake. “I doubt that,” she said slowly. Their last conversation had been pretty final.

  “He told me he thought about you all the time when I saw him two days ago. Actually, he couldn’t believe it when I told him I hadn’t spoken a single word to you since you left.” Looking vaguely accusing, Cassidy murmured, “And I couldn’t believe it when he told me that you two had kept in touch.”

  “We only spoke a few times.” When she told him she was keeping the baby. And then when she’d told him that she’d miscarried.

  “But I thought you had broken up weeks before you left?”

  Lilly’s hands were shaking so much now, she kept them clasped tightly in her lap.
This was why she hadn’t ever called Cassidy. She had too many secrets—and she still wasn’t much of a liar. “It’s complicated.”

  “How complicated?”

  “Well…you know…”

  As self-assured as always, Cassidy risked challenging her friend. “No. I don’t. What are you talking about? What exactly happened between you two?”

  “I can’t really talk about it.” Though her stomach was in knots, Lilly picked up her fork and made herself eat a too-big bite of pie.

  Something flickered in Cassidy’s eyes. Remorse? Disappointment? “I see.”

  No, she didn’t. But Lilly’s nerves felt so taut, she was sure if she said another word, she’d tell Cassidy everything. And then Cassidy would tell all their friends in Strongsville.

  And then she’d really never be able to go back again.

  “You do good work, Robert.”

  “Danke.” Robert looked over at his cousin Abe, who’d stopped by the shop under the pretense of examining his latest pair of kitchen chairs. Robert knew there was another reason he’d stopped by. He was out for information.

  Dipping his rag in the oil, he let the cloth soak up a good amount, then carefully ran it over a chest of drawers he’d just finished the day before. His customers were due by that afternoon to pick it up, and he wanted the piece looking its best.

  Abe watched him for a moment. “It’s been too long since you’ve stopped by the house. Weeks.”

  “I’ve been busy. You know that.”

  “Not too busy for family? Come over soon, why don’tcha? You could meet us for supper. Mary would like that.”

  “I’ll do that soon.” Not too soon, he added silently to himself. Lately Robert had gotten tired of Abe’s constant questioning about his business.

  “Tonight, perhaps?”

  “Not tonight.” Robert rested on his heels as Abe became more visibly agitated. “But I do appreciate your askin’.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Maybe another week.”

  Abe looked him over, chewed on his bottom lip for a bit, then shifted. “You know, I was asked to stop by and visit with you. By your father.”

  “There’s no need for that. If my daed needs to speak with me, he can come himself.”

  “He told me that the last time he stopped by, you hardly had time for him. Or your mother.”

  Robert remembered that visit well. His parents had shown up after suppertime one evening, and had been full of unwanted advice.

  “You shouldn’t be working this late, Robert,” his daed had chided. “There’s a time for work and a time for rest, jah?”

  He’d had no need to go home. There had been nothing there except memories. “I’ll leave soon.”

  “Why don’t you leave now?” his mother suggested.

  “We’ll help you clean up.”

  There had been something in their voices that had grated on him terribly. He was a grown man. He’d not only taken care of his wife, but he’d cared for her as she passed in front of him from this earth. His business was making a profit. He neither needed their assistance nor their advice.

  “Nee,” he’d said with a bit too much force. “I’m not ready to leave.”

  “Robert. We came all this way to get you.”

  “And we have someone we’d like you to meet…”

  As he’d turned to his mother, the piece of paper he’d been holding fell to the floor. “What?”

  After glancing his father’s way, she’d continued. “We invited Edith over for dessert.”

  “Edith Beachy?”

  “Jah.” His mom stepped forward. Took his hand.

  “She’s anxious to meet you. She’s a widow, you know.”

  “Do you actually think I want to meet a woman?” He pulled his hand away from her grip. “Do you actually imagine I will ever want to meet another woman?”

  His father stepped forward, and to Robert’s amazement, he put a reassuring arm around his mother’s shoulders. Comforting her. “Robert, you will mind your tone.”

  He’d been so angry, Robert had barely been able to look at them. “Nee. This is my place of work. This is my life. I don’t need your interference.”

  “You are being disrespectful.”

  “I am being honest.” Inside of him, words rushed forth, begging to be uttered. For once, he gave in. “Grace was my life—” Tears choked his voice, then he repeated himself. “Grace was my life and now she’s gone. Now there is nothing else.”

  “Robert!”

  He turned his back to his parents. Unwilling to see his mother’s stricken expression. Unwilling to see his father’s disapproval. “I have much to do. I’d appreciate it if you would leave.”

  For a moment, they’d stood there. Even though his back was still turned, he could imagine their look of disappointment. They slowly, deliberately, turned and left.

  Since then, they had only the most mundane of conversations when they’d see each other at church. It was obvious they were still nursing hurt feelings over the way he’d treated them.

  But what they didn’t understand was that he, too, still hadn’t forgotten.

  Abe waved a hand in front of his face. “Robert? What should I tell your daed?”

  “Nothing. There’s nothing to tell.”

  “I think differently. People are concerned about ya. Robert, it’s been a fair amount of time since Grace passed. Three years.”

  “I know.” He never forgot how long she’d been gone.

  “You need a wife. If not Edith Beachy, then some other woman.”

  “My parents spoke to you about her?”

  Abe only looked slightly shamefaced. “They’re only thinking of what’s best for you. Robert, you’ve got a nice home and good business. It’s time to think about getting a new partner.”

  Abe talked like it was as easy as going to an auction for a new horse.

  The idea of being set up with a dozen different women from their community turned his stomach. He just wasn’t ready.

  “I appreciate your concerns.” Robert set his rag down and faced his cousin. “Abe, I am grateful for your time, I am. And I am grateful for Mary’s invitation. But I’m not in any hurry to start visiting folks’ homes for suppers. Not yet.”

  “Grace…she’s not coming back.”

  Abe’s words hit him like a blow to the chest. “I realize that. Now I’ve got to get back to work.” Smiling weakly, he added, “It won’t get done by itself, you know.”

  “Robert—”

  “Leave me be. Please. Just tell Mary and my father you tried, cousin.”

  Abe stood frozen in his spot. “But one day? Will you ever be able to move on?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Perhaps?” Hope entered his voice. “Sehr gut! Is there anyone special?”

  “Nee.” Although, as soon as he disclaimed it, a sudden vision of a blond woman with curly hair flashed into his head.

  After Abe left, Robert sat down and stretched out his hands. They’d been clenched in an effort to control his emotions.

  Yes, he was finding it difficult to be around friends and family and talk about life like he had nothing more on his mind than the recent weather report.

  But, fact was, he had a great many things on his mind…the least of which was his disturbing attraction to an Englischer. To Lilly Allen.

  She was as unsuitable for him as Grace had been perfect. Of course, Grace had been everything proper and good. She made him happy and centered. They’d believed in the exact same things and seemed to bring out the best in each other.

  Lilly, on the other hand, was too young. She was too beautiful, with her curly blond hair and chocolate-colored eyes. She’d had a relationship out of wedlock and had even had the misfortune to become pregnant.

  And then, of course, she’d lost the baby.

  So why could he not look away from her? She drew him to her like a shining star in the dead of night. He’d found himself thinking of her when he fell asleep.

&nbs
p; And sometimes, while working in the silence of his workshop, he’d found himself imagining her by his side. Speaking to him. Looking at him like he interested her—more than as just a customer in her restaurant.

  Even the thought of that was shocking. But what could he do to stop it? So far, he’d tried staying away from her.

  Even tried to concentrate on her unsuitability. But nothing worked.

  The only blessing was that she obviously didn’t think of him at all.

  He couldn’t help but remember how terribly surprised she looked when he’d checked on her in the car that morning. She’d never even noticed his shop before. To her, he was just another man eating at the inn. An Amish man.

  She probably had a fair amount of men eyeing her, wishing that she’d smile their way.

  It embarrassed him that, at the moment, he yearned for a smile, too.

  Chapter 3

  Caleb had just finished sweeping out the back storeroom when his father called out to him.

  “Caleb, I need you to walk Mrs. Miller’s groceries to her at the boarding house.”

  After replacing his broom and dustpan, Caleb entered the main store. It was one o’clock, and the place was busier than ever. Two women, friends of his mother’s, were buying trail bologna and cheese. Another Amish lady was in the bulk food aisle, examining seasonings.

  Everywhere else he looked, there seemed to be tourists and Englischers talking noisily and filling shopping baskets. His daed had left the double front doors propped open. In blew a cool breeze, along with the unmistakable scent of autumn leaves. Caleb nodded to a few curious people, then stood in front of his father. “Busy today.”

  “Jah. Sehr gut,” he agreed.

  “Do you want me to wait to run the errand? Maybe you need help?”

  “I don’t. Joshua’s here—he just went upstairs for a moment. This is more important, I think.” Pointing to a pair of boxes on the counter, he said, “Mrs. Miller already paid for both of these. She’ll be looking for them. There’s eggs and fresh bread in there. Have a care with them, now.”

  Before Caleb could say a word to that—that of course he wouldn’t crack the eggs or smash the bread—his father turned away to wait on a customer.