The stove in the kitchen was new and easy to use, the counter space was ample, and everything was sparkling clean. Noelle, Moriah, LuAnne, and Salome chatted away as they got to work putting the turkey, hams, and pans of mashed potatoes in the ovens to heat, starting the gravy, and opening jars of applesauce. Thankfully, Salome wasn’t gossiping. But what Salome said next completely caught her off guard.
“We had our best year ever at the Christmas Market.” Salome kept her head down as she sliced a loaf of bread. “Even with missing one day.”
“Wow.” Moriah turned toward Noelle. “Great job.”
Noelle’s face grew warm.
Salome put the knife down and met Noelle’s gaze. “In fact, I think you should take over the business. I could use a break, frankly. And your ideas really paid off.”
Noelle stammered, “I’ll need help.”
“I’ll help,” Moriah said. “It would be my pleasure.”
Noelle smiled and simply said, “Denki.” Her mind whirled with ideas. They could try new recipes and research more packaging before March. She looked forward to working with her niece and rebuilding their relationship.
Soon, Englisch nieces and nephews, who’d never joined the church and had driven to the market, arrived. Many gave their parents rides. Other family members who had joined the church arrived in buggies, all bundled against the biting cold. Of course there were lots of children and babies and starry-eyed newlyweds.
For the first time in three years, Noelle wasn’t jealous. And she realized that by taking charge and planning the celebration, she was thinking about others more than herself. That truly brought her joy.
Noelle kept an eye on Moriah as they moved to the dining area and spread plastic tablecloths over the tables. She seemed to be doing all right. She seemed to be smiling more than Noelle had seen in the last year.
As Noelle greeted a niece who hadn’t joined the Amish, along with her husband and their new baby girl, who was Greta’s age, she thought of Jesse. He hadn’t returned Dat’s message. Would he and Greta come? Or would they stay far away from her?
When it was finally time to eat, they all gathered around in a circle. Dat cleared his throat and said, “I’m so glad all of you were able to come on such short notice. A Family Christmas is just what this old man needs.”
Moriah called out, “It’s what we all need.”
Several people laughed while others murmured in agreement.
Dat smiled and said, “On this day, we are thankful for our Lord Jesus coming to earth as our savior. Our faith in Him gives us hope. Today we are especially thankful for the peace and joy that only He can bring.” He bowed his head. “Let’s pray.”
As Dat started the silent prayer, the dining hall door creaked open, and Jesse, holding a sleeping Greta, slipped inside. Noelle met his gaze and he smiled shyly. He made his way around the circle, and she stepped to the right to make room for him.
Jesse shifted Greta to one arm and, as Noelle bowed her head to pray with her family, he reached for her hand. Noelle knew he wouldn’t hold it for long, not in front of her family, but she was certain he would reach for her again. And when he did, she’d call Holly and tell her the story of Noelle and Jesse.
Of how God was bringing healing and a new hope to both of their lives.
Baked Creamsticks
(RECIPE COURTESY OF AMISH365.COM)
Creamsticks 1 cup shortening1¼ cup mashed potatoes1 quart milk, scalded1 cup sugar1 tablespoon salt½ cup warm water3 packages yeast1 tablespoon sugar6 eggs, beaten11–12 cups flour
Put shortening, potatoes, milk, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Stir until shortening and sugar are dissolved. Put warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Add eggs and yeast to first mixture. Stir in enough flour until dough is not sticky. Cover and let rise until double. Roll out dough. Cut in 1x3 inch strips. Let rise until double. Bake at 350 degrees for 15–20 minutes. Let set until they are cold. Cut a slit on top and put in filling. Then top with favorite icing.
Filling 2 cups milk6 tablespoons clear jel*Pinch salt2 teaspoons vanilla2 cups sugar1½ cups Crisco
Combine milk, clear jel, and salt in saucepan. Cook until thick. Add vanilla and cool. Cream together sugar and Crisco. Mix with cold cooked mixture and mix well.
Caramel Icing ½ cup butter1 cup brown sugar¼ cup milk2 cups powdered sugar
Melt butter, add brown sugar, and cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring. Add milk and stir until it boils. Cool. Add powdered sugar.
*Clear jel is a thickener that can be found in most bulk food stores. If you don’t have access to clear jel, cornstarch is an appropriate substitute.
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PROLOGUE
Jane Berger
December 23, 2016
Nappanee, Indiana
The clock in the quilt shop chimed six times as Jane Berger’s hands rested on her manual typewriter. She still had bolts of fabric and books of patterns to put away, plus a tray of coffee cups to wash.
Outside, the snow fell as if God were sifting sugar over the Indiana landscape. She needed to get home and start a fire in her wood stove, but first she had to finish her monthly column for the Nappanee News.
She glanced at her notes on the origins of the town. The first settlers to the region were the Miami Nation, but they were forced out by the Iroquois in the 1700s. Soon after, the Potawatomi Nation settled in the area. By the time the first of the Amish and Mennonites arrived in the early 1840s,
