I set aside our differences and offered him a pumpkin whoopie pie, which he savored. “The best I’ve ever tasted. Who cooked this?”
“Meet our new chef.” I hurried over to Sadie, linked arms with her, and took her in tow. Her cheeks turning pink, she lagged behind me until we’d reached Mark.
“You cooked these?” he asked.
“Yah.” She poured him a mug of coffee.
“Are all your baked goods this delicious?” he asked her.
She gazed up at him through her eyelashes. “You’ll have to try them and tell me.”
It was as if Mark had noticed her existence for the first time. They fell into conversation, and I backstepped. Minutes later, he asked Sadie if she wanted to accompany him to watch the barn raising. She asked me for permission, and I assured her we would be fine, what with Annie’s abilities working the cash register. Next week, when Beatrice went back to work for the Yoders, keeping their house and babysitting full-time, I’d be all set.
Mark and Sadie were gone for more than an hour. Sadie returned glowing. I was happy for her and prayed Mark would ask her to a singing, even though my cousin Emma would no doubt be disappointed.
“Evie, dear.” Mamm waited at the end of the line to place an order. With so many in the café, I’d missed her entrance. Plus Marta’s. My sister-in-law wore an olive-green dress that echoed her eyes. Her perfectly pressed kapp was tied under her chin.
“Is it always this busy?” Marta canvassed the café, especially the glass case filled with baked goods.
“Nee, this is unusual because of the barn raising. But we do a gut business all in all.”
“Do you have time to sit with us?” Mamm motioned to an empty table.
“Yah, unless more people come in.”
“Hello,” Beatrice said to Mamm, and then she placed her hand on my shoulder. “People are hurrying through their meals to return to the barn raising. You have time for a break, Eva. I’ll let you know if we get in trouble.”
I sat facing the door, just in case we were barraged again. Or in case Jake came in, although I knew he wouldn’t. In fact, I didn’t want him to, especially in front of Mamm and Marta.
Mamm tasted her soup as soon as Sadie delivered their orders. “This is delicious, Evie. Nothing like we make at home, though. Different spices.”
“Beatrice gave me the recipe and a can of beans. She’s been a blessing to me.” I never thought I’d sing her praises.
“Wunderbaar.” Marta sat tall. “This place won’t miss you when you come and work for Reuben and me at our new business.”
Mamm nibbled her blueberry muffin and kept her attention on the koi pond.
“I have a job, Marta. Right here.”
“But Reuben and I have decided to open a wholesale bakery. Plus have a roadside stand when the weather warms. Maybe sell touristy gifts too.”
I doubted Reuben had anything to do with the idea. “Who would do the baking?” I asked.
“You, your mamm, and I will.” Marta slathered a muffin with butter. “And hire a young woman the way you have once we get busy. My dochders will help after school and on the weekends, after they do their chores and their homework.” She sent Mamm a furtive glance. “Your mamm offered to help out.”
“You did?” Mamm had mentioned she looked forward to quilting more, her lifelong passion she’d mostly set aside until Dat retired.
Mamm refolded her napkin. “Yah, I said I’d help them, but I never said you’d be quitting this job, dochder.”
“Evie wouldn’t choose to work for strangers over her own family, would she?” Marta contorted her mouth.
For all I knew, the Yoders would fire me when they got home. I might need a job. But not working for Marta. Ach.
“How will Evie meet her future special man working at our home?” Mamm asked.
“At our roadside stand or delivering baked goods to restaurants.” Marta scanned the thinning crowd. “This place is too far away from home for delivery unless we hired a driver. And too many Englischers.” She wrinkled her nose.
Harvey wandered in with Stephen. He raised a hand in greeting and then sat at a nearby table while Sadie brought the two men coffee.
“Isn’t that Bishop Harvey?” Mamm asked. “Such a fine man. I don’t suppose you’ll join his church district?”
“We’ve discussed it.”
“Yah? ” Mamm’s grin stretched from ear to ear, her smile lines deepening. “Maybe I should go over there and speak to him.”
“Nee! ” I blurted out. “Another time would be better when he’s not so tired. He’s worked on the new barn since sunup. I’m glad to see him resting.”
“He appears a kindly sort.” Marta watched Harvey shake an Amish man’s hand. “I’ve never met him.”
I was horrified by what she might say to him. As she stood, so did Harvey and Stephen. They exited the café before she could pounce on them.
“Perhaps you’ll meet him later this afternoon,” Mamm said. “Before we give Dat and Reuben a ride home.”
“I bet they’ll both be fatigued, but they’ll still have chores to do.” Marta settled in her seat and finished her sandwich. “I can’t say I’m crazy about this soup.” She puckered her lips. “I hope I haven’t offended you, Eva.”
“Not in the slightest.” I smoothed my hand over the table’s cracked surface.
Wayne came into the café and made a beeline toward me. I introduced him to Mamm and Marta.
“Evie, can we speak later?” Wayne looked imposing in his uniform, wearing a firearm. “I’d like to get your take on something.”
“Of course.” I sent him what I hoped was an angelic, innocent smile. “I’ll be here or maybe watching the barn raising.”
“What’s this about, Officer?” Marta asked.
“Sorry, ma’am. Police business I can’t discuss. Nothing urgent.” I was thankful he didn’t divulge any further information about my involvement with the fire or mention my encounter with Ralph the night before. I’d never appreciated Wayne more. Not everything about the Englisch world was bad. What
