Dat said as much.
“That’s true,” Salome replied. “But we’re too big to sit around a circle like we’ve always done.” She patted Dat’s hand.
“Then find a bigger place.” Dat pulled his arm away.
“Like where?” Salome asked. “And on Christmas Day? Who’s going to have a place we can use?”
Noelle couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “We’ll figure out something.”
Salome pursed her lips together, turned toward Noelle, and then said, “Let me know when you do.”
CHAPTER THREE
The weather had warmed on Wednesday night, turning the snow to rain. All of the world seemed to be dripping and melting and colorless as Noelle rode with Pamela to the market on Thursday morning. She turned her face toward the window, as if she were entranced with the dreary scene. She wasn’t. In reality, she was trying to calm her nerves about working at the market again.
It didn’t help that Holly’s booth was empty when she arrived and remained that way until long after the market had opened. Seeing her was the only thing Noelle had been looking forward to.
But someone else was present. Jesse. He wore a forest-green shirt with his black pants, suspenders, and a pair of work boots. Noelle guessed Barbara was watching the baby. He worked all alone in the furniture booth, kitty-corner from Noelle and behind Holly, selling rocking chairs, hope chests, and bookcases. Why couldn’t he be on the other side of the market, if he had to be around at all?
Several times Jesse tried to catch Noelle’s eye, but each time she shifted her gaze. There wasn’t anything more she wanted to talk with him about. In fact, she wished—with all of her heart—that he would go away.
But neither of them had much business, so when he strode over to her booth she couldn’t ignore him.
He spoke softly and kept a good amount of distance between the two of them, which she appreciated. “Look,” he said. “I just wanted to say hello. And to say how sorry I was when I heard about your Mamm. I should have said that when I first saw you again and at least by the second time. She was a wonderful person—and I know how important she was to you.”
Noelle swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. Finally she managed to say, “Denki. I heard about your wife. I’m really sorry for you and your baby.”
For a moment it appeared he might cry, but then he managed to smile a little. “I appreciate your kindness.”
Noelle tried to breathe, but the air felt thick and heavy, and it filled her throat.
“I know our conversation didn’t go well on Sunday, but I’m hoping we can—”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“What’s not a good idea?”
Noelle turned. Holly stood in the middle of the aisle, a plastic crate in her hand.
“Nothing,” Noelle muttered.
Holly introduced herself to Jesse. He greeted her and then returned to his booth.
“At least you two are talking, right? That’s a step in the right direction.” Holly’s eyes lit up.
Noelle ignored the comment. She knew Holly was joking—and that she had no idea how much it hurt. “I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
“We had to stop by the college so I could turn in my final paper.”
“College?”
“Lancaster Community College,” she said. “I’m on the slow track. I only take two classes a term. Next week is finals, but my big paper was due today.” She jerked her head toward her brother, who had just shown up, carrying two more crates. “Carlos didn’t have any big papers due this term, which isn’t fair. Right?”
Noelle nodded in agreement, even though she wasn’t sure if it was fair or not. Because she had no one stopping by her booth, Noelle offered to help. Holly gave her the four purple candles, white candle, and wreath to set up. Noelle did so, carefully placing the wreath on the counter and then inserting the candles into the holders. She took a step backward. The purple candles were so rich, and the white such a stark contrast.
Noelle asked Holly if she had any more Advent calendars.
“No, silly,” Holly answered as she switched the light on one of the purple candles. “No one wants those after the first Sunday of Advent. We only sell those in November.”
“Oh,” Noelle said. “I’m enjoying mine.”
“Oh yeah? What’s the verse for the day?”
“Isaiah 7:14. ‘Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign . . .’” She couldn’t remember the rest.
But Holly did. “‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’” She grinned again. “How do you like the chocolate?”
“It’s delicious. Did you make it?”
Holly shook her head. “My mother does the Advent calendars. She made them before she left.”
“Where’d she go?”
“To be with our grandmother.”
“Oh.” Noelle paused but then asked, “Is she coming back? For your birthday? For Christmas?”
Holly shrugged and glanced at Carlos.
“We’ll see,” he said, his voice deeper than usual.
Noelle wasn’t sure if she should ask any more questions, so she didn’t, but she wondered about the rest of Holly’s family. Where was her father? Did she have other siblings? Aunts and uncles? Cousins?
Salome had said one time that there were more Hispanic people in Lancaster County than Amish people, and that their population had grown rapidly in the last ten years. Noelle had the feeling Salome viewed it in a negative way, but at least she hadn’t been overt about her opinion, for once.
Hopefully Holly had more family around than just Carlos.
In the afternoon, Noelle’s nephew Paul and his wife, LuAnne, stopped by the booth, taking Noelle by surprise.
“We’re Christmas shopping.” Paul was large like his Dat. “Moriah’s watching the kids so we can shop. We’re going in with Moriah to buy a clock for the folks.”
Paul had always loved shopping for Christmas, even though the Amish didn’t give much. A clock for Salome and Ted was a big item.
“We’re also looking for little gifts for Family Christmas,” Paul said.
“Your Mamm didn’t tell you she doesn’t want to have it this
