The morning following the robbery, Faith’s hands trembled as she worked the key to unlock the back door of the restaurant. Concern etched Gideon’s face. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Jah.” She faked a smile.
“I’m staying.” He rolled up his shirt sleeves.
“Gideon, nay.” She had to press through the day despite her balled-up nerves. Things would return to normal, she hoped.
“It’s Fourth of July,” he reasoned. “You might get busy.”
She might get used to him facing her fears for her too. She followed Gideon into the dining room, but froze when an image of the gunman’s masked face invaded her mind.
“Show me how to work this contraption.” Gideon pointed at the coffee machine.
“You can’t hover over me all day every day.”
“Let’s just concern ourselves with today,” he said matter-of-factly without looking up from inspecting the buttons on the coffee machine. He picked up the pot. “I fill this with water, right?”
She gave in and nodded. “I supposed I’d be a fool to turn down help.”
“I’d say so.”
Faith measured the coffee, started the brewing process, then retreated into the kitchen to help Catherine, who had already started mixing the bread dough.
The morning went by smoothly. They managed the breakfast crowd without Olivia’s help. Her sister arrived around lunchtime, though she started the shift complaining about having a headache.
Once the lunch crowd thinned, Faith made Gideon a grilled Rueben sandwich and fries. But as he ate, she caught him eyeing the wall clock more than once. “Gideon, you don’t have to stay. You can take the sandwich with you if there is something you need to do.”
“It can wait.” He took a bite of the sandwich.
“We can manage.” This Fourth of July hadn’t been as busy as other years. “I feel bad for taking up so much of your time.”
“Don’t.” He kept eating, and when he finished, he washed the dish.
Faith strode across the kitchen and peered through the window. The room was empty except for Olivia, who was dusting the display case, and Catherine, who was visiting with Zach. Faith faced Gideon. “There isn’t anyone here. I know you have things to do.”
He glanced up at the clock. “It shouldn’t take me long.”
“Gideon, I can get a ride home from Catherine.”
He headed toward the back door. “I’ll be back.”
Once Gideon left, Faith went into the dining room. Without customers to overhear her, she could tell Olivia about the robbery. But the moment she walked into the room, Olivia begged off the remainder of the day, claiming her headache had worsened. Faith had overheard her sister on the phone with her Englisch friends earlier, talking about a barbecue and going to Rogers City to watch the fireworks.
“Go,” Faith said. “I hope you feel better.” At least Olivia had worked a few hours today. Faith used the downtime to peel potatoes and chop vegetables for tomorrow’s stew. Her thoughts bounced from the gunman to the red-haired man, who would have been shot had the gun not jammed, to the stolen money and what her parents would say about the matter. Fretting over things she had no control over had worn her out. By the time Gideon returned at the end of the day, she was emotionally exhausted.
Catherine seemed pleased when Gideon rolled up his sleeves to help. Faith suspected Catherine and Zach had plans after work, the way she was hurrying to reddy-up the kitchen. She didn’t even leave the grill on long enough to see if Gideon was hungry.
“Would you like me to warm up some yummasetti or pork pie, Gideon?” Faith asked.
Gideon stopped whistling. “I’m nett hungry.”
Catherine wasn’t the only one in a hurry. Gideon scrubbed the pots and pans at record speed. He pulled the sink stopper. “Done.”
“Me too,” Catherine announced.
Faith put away the dishes. “Let me check the front door one more time.” She’d already triple-checked the lock, but checking one more time wouldn’t hurt. Dead bolt in place, she scanned the room. The floors were swept and mopped, fresh place mats and napkin-rolled utensils were in place, and the coffeemaker was unplugged. The pie carrier was unloaded, and she’d wrapped the remaining slices in cellophane earlier, then stored them in the refrigerator. Satisfied the restaurant was ready for tomorrow, she returned to the kitchen.
“Would you like a drink to go?” she asked Gideon.
“Lemonade, please.”
Faith filled to-go cups with drinks. “How about a piece of cherry pie?”
“Sounds gut, but let’s take it to go.”
“Catherine, what about you?”
“None for me, danki.” She removed her apron and hung it on the hook.
Faith placed the pie in a to-go container while Gideon grabbed plastic forks, napkins, and straws. At the door she looked around the kitchen, then pressed the code to set the alarm, flipped off the lights, and locked the door.
“See you tomorrow.” Catherine hurried across the parking lot to her buggy.
“I think she has important plans,” Faith whispered to Gideon.
“Mei reason for hurrying tonight too,” he said.
Mosquitoes buzzed around Faith’s ears as they crossed the parking lot. Dusk was always the worst time of the day for the pesky creatures. In her parents’ buggy she used to stash a small container of cedar leaf oil, which, dabbed on behind the ears, neck, wrists, and ankles, served to repel mosquitoes.
He untied Bay from the post. “Are you in a hurry to get home?”
“Why?”
He tossed his head and chuckled. “Do you always have to ask why?”
Gideon had commented more than once that she did too much thinking, and while she’d be apt to agree with him, it wasn’t easy to turn off her thoughts. “I suppose I do have a curious nature, but seriously, why do you ask?”
He released the brake and, without saying another word, tapped the reins.
The stores on Main Street were closed for the holiday with the exception of the small party store at the edge of town. Anyone who wanted to watch the fireworks drove to either Rogers City or Alpena. Posen never managed to raise enough funds, and money earmarked for the Potato Festival in September was sacred in this town.
Within a few minutes, he turned onto Leer road, but as they approached her farm, he didn’t slow down. Faith nudged his arm. “So, why are you being secretive?”
“Curiosity getting the best of you, is it?”
“You just passed mei haus.”
They came to US-23 and he turned to the left. A few miles later, before the Calcite limestone quarry and Rogers City, Gideon pulled into an unpopulated roadside park and set the brake. “I thought we could eat our pie at one of the picnic tables.” He gazed up at the sky. “It’s a clear nacht. Maybe we’ll be able see some fireworks.”
“That’s a lovely idea.” Now it made sense why he was in such a hurry to leave the restaurant.
Gideon got out and tied Bay to the sign stating the park hours. “There’s a table closer to the water,” he said before stopping momentarily at the back of the buggy. He circled around to the passenger side and offered to carry the pie container.
Faith carried the drinks as she walked alongside him on a sandy foot trail, the waves of Lake Huron growing louder. Mosquitoes buzzed around her head, but with her hands full it was impossible to swat them away. She rubbed her ear on her shoulder, which shooed them away briefly.
Gideon smiled. “I brought a citronella candle,” he said, lifting a glass jar. “Once we get to the table, I’ll light it.”
The pesky mosquitoes shouldn’t be out much longer now that it was dark, but it was nice he’d thought to bring the candle. A popping sound in the distance caught her attention. Blues and reds lit the sky.
“You’re right about it being a clear nacht,” she said. The view was even better closer to the water. They opted not to sit at the picnic table but sat on a large piece of driftwood on the sand instead.
Faith removed her shoes and wiggled her toes in the cool sand. “I haven’t been to the lake in a long time.” She lifted her face into the wind and breathed in the dank scent. “I love the sound of waves washing ashore, don’t you?”
“Jah,” he said, hovering over the candle while striking a match. “Other than it’s too windy this close to the water to keep the candle lit.”
“That’s okay.” The mosquitoes weren’t too bad, and the moonlight reflecting off the water and the fireworks provided enough light. She handed him one of the drinks, then pointed to the sky as more fireworks went off. “Ooh, they’re so pretty. That one too.”
“Too bad we couldn’t have gotten a little closer to where they’re being set off.”
“Nay, this is perfect.” Nothing could top being on the shoreline of massive Lake Huron and digging her toes into the sand while sitting next to Gideon.
He gently tapped her forearm with a fork, then rested the pie container on his knees and opened it. “Did you talk with your parents today?”
“Nay. I can’t talk with them without telling them about the burglary, and if I tell them about that, they would only worry.”
“They’ll hear about it from someone else. Don’t you think it’d be better coming from you?” Gideon stabbed his fork into the pie and began to devour the treat.
She leaned closer and took a forkful of pie, getting mostly crust. “Can we talk about something else?”
He pointed to the pie with his fork. “This is really gut.”
“Danki, I used your cherries.” She watched another firestorm of color dance across the sky. “I’m worried mei parents will be disappointed in me,” she said. “I should have locked the door before cleaning off the tables.”
“It was a mistake.” He jabbed at more pie. “You checked the door at least three times tonight.”
“Four.”
“See, you’re already more conscientious.”
“But the money is still gone and that’s mei fault.”
He motioned to the pie. “You stopped eating. Don’t you want more?”
“I’m nett very hungry.”
“Has it crossed your mind that maybe your . . . thoughts are too consumed with money?”
“I don’t think I’m consumed,” she said. He should know money is an important factor in business.
“Maybe that’s the wrong word. Too focused. Too worried.” He shrugged. “You do talk about finances a lot.”
Faith looked up at the dark sky. “I think the fireworks show ended.”
“Maybe.” He tilted the take-out container her direction. “Last bite. You want it?”
“Nay, danki.” Her stomach had soured from all the talk about her obsessive thoughts.
He dove his fork into the remaining pie, chewed it slowly, then licked the fork clean. “Danki, your pie was delicious.” He took a drink of his lemonade.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She picked up her shoes, the empty drink and pie containers, and stood. “We should probably go.”
“Nau?” He scrambled to his feet and followed her to the trash can. “Faith, we haven’t had much time alone.” He reached for her hand and held it. “I want to spend time with you.”
“You do?” Faith’s eyes darted from his to the sky as she struggled to compose herself.
“You sound surprised.”
A burst of popping noises echoed, followed by a spray of cascading silver and gold sparkles lightening the dark sky. Faith smiled. “That one seemed on top of us.”
Without looking up, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “I wasn’t watching the fireworks.”
He leaned in closer, his warm breath fanning her neck triggering a pleasant shudder. Something had gotten into him—into her as well. Kiss me already.
He touched her cheek lightly, tracing her jawline.
“Gideon,” she rasped.
Twigs snapped behind them. A flashlight flared in their direction. “I’m sorry, folks. The park hours are dawn to dusk.”
Faith recognized the police officer’s voice as one of the regulars at The Amish Table. Officer Porter, the officer who had taken their statement last night after the robbery. He knew most of the Amish in their district, her mother, father, probably Gideon’s mother, and the bishop.
Gideon moved in front of Faith. “I’m sorry, Officer. We lost track of the time.”
“You two should head home before it gets much later. Fourth of July is notorious for drunk drivers.”
“Yes, sir.” Gideon placed his hand on Faith’s lower back and guided her toward the trail.
The officer aimed the flashlight toward the path. “How are your parents doing?” he asked Faith once they reached the parking area.
Better than she was doing at the moment. “Mei father is still in the hospital recovering from leg surgery.” She fought to suppress the nervous quiver in her voice. “Mei mother has internal bruising and problems with one of her kidneys.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Gideon opened the passenger door for Faith. “Have you found the driver who ran them off the road?”
“Not yet, but we have a few leads we’re working on.”
“What about the man who robbed The Amish Table last nacht?”
“That’s still under investigation too.”
Faith slid onto the bench and cowered in the shadow of the lamppost while Gideon talked more with Officer Porter about the accident. After a few moments, Gideon was in the buggy and they were headed down the road. “Sorry I didn’t realize how late it’d gotten,” he said sheepishly.
Traffic on US-23 kept Gideon focused on the road. Faith hadn’t so much as made a peep since they’d left the roadside park.
He glanced at Faith, arms hugging herself and slouched with her head against the door. “You kalt?”
“Nay, I’m fine.”
She wasn’t fine. “You upset?”
Faith adjusted her position and wrung her hands together. “I wish the officer hadn’t shown up.”
Me too.
“The officer knows mei parents,” she continued.
Her melancholy tone pricked his conscience. “Are you worried about your baptism?”
She shrugged.
“We haven’t done anything wrong.” Gideon divided his attention between watching the road and trying to glimpse Faith. “Don’t fret, okay?”
She sighed heavily. “Okay.”
It probably wasn’t the best time to ask about tomorrow, but he did anyway. “Do you want to go fishing after work?”
Faith shifted on the seat to face him. “Do you nett care at all what Olivia will think of us spending so much time together?”
“Nope.” He kept his eyes on Bay as a car passed. “Does that bother you?”
“Nay—well, jah, a little.” She huffed out another breath and turned to look out the passenger window. “Olivia more or less indicated she might be ready to join the church.”
“When?” Gideon said.
“The other day. I told her we were only friends.”
Even focused on the road, he sensed her gaze burrowing into him. Dare he admit to wanting more than friendship? Gideon held his words until he pulled into her driveway and stopped Bay. “Faith, I’m nett in love with Olivia. I’m happy if she chooses to join the church, but I couldn’t love or marry someone who stole money, especially from her parents.”
Faith lowered her head and hand-pressed the folds of her dress.
He reached for her hand. “So what do you say about going fishing with me?”
“I had a nice time watching the fireworks with you tonight, Gideon,” Faith said softly.
“I had a nice time too.” He gently squeezed her hand. “What’s wrong?”
Her heart thumped against her ribs. If only this moment could last forever. She slipped her hand out from his. “You’re basing your decision about Olivia on rumors.”
“Let’s nett talk about Olivia. I want to spend time with you.”
Faith glanced out the side window of the buggy at the house.
Dark, no sign of activity. Just as she suspected, Olivia hadn’t gone home from work with a headache. Her sister had lied. Was she also lying about reconsidering Gideon’s proposal? Joining the church?
“I can’t go fishing with you. Nett when . . . Gut nacht, Gideon.” Faith climbed out of the buggy and hurried up the porch steps. If she sat with him any longer, she would change her mind. She grabbed the doorknob but stopped to draw a deep breath. After having a gun pointed at her yesterday, going inside a dark house rattled her nerves.
Gideon hiked up the steps behind Faith. “Let me go in first.”
Relief washed over her as she stepped aside. Once inside, she lit the lantern, then went to the cabinet next to the sink and removed a water glass.
“Do you want me to stay until Olivia comes home?”
She shook her head.
“Your hand is trembling.”
So were her insides. Faith filled the glass with water and took a drink. “I’m better nau. You can go home.”
Gideon inched closer. “I thought you were brave yesterday.”
She shook her head. “I was terrified.”
“Jah, me too.” He clasped her upper arms. “I felt helpless. He held a gun to your head and I didn’t know what to do.”
Her eyes burned as memories came to life again of the man’s glove over her mouth and cold steel pressed against her temple.
Gideon ushered her into his arms. “Please, don’t think about it.”
If only letting go of the memory was that easy. She rested her head on his shoulder a few moments, then mustered enough courage to break away. “It’s getting late. You should go.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay until Olivia comes home?”
Faith nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Bright and early.” He made his way to the door. “I’m bringing mei fishing poles. You need a break from all the stress.”
“We’ll see.” First she wanted to find out if Olivia was still in love with Gideon—if she planned to stay Amish. Faith wasn’t about to be the reason her sister jumped the fence.
Hours later, Faith ambled up the stairs to bed, yawning. Waiting up for Olivia to come home from the fireworks had been a mistake. Faith could have been asleep hours ago, but she needed answers. She slipped into her nightdress and climbed under the covers. Halfway through her prayers, she nodded off.
Footsteps on the stairs awakened Faith. The door creaked open, and moonlight spilling in through the window highlighted her sister’s figure.
Faith pushed up in bed. “Olivia, where have you been? You left work because you had a headache.”
“I went to watch the fireworks with friends.” She changed into her nightclothes, tossing her dress on the floor.
“The fireworks ended hours ago.”
“Faith, let it be.” Olivia’s bedsprings squeaked as she plopped down.
Faith rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Three.”
Faith growled under her breath. “I suppose you’re nett going into work today.”
“Nett if you keep talking to me.”
“The restaurant was robbed,” she blurted.
“What! When?”
“The nacht before last a man wearing a bandana over his face came in after we closed and held a gun to mei head. He took the money from the till.”
Olivia was silent a long moment. When she spoke, her words sounded like they were caught in her throat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Faith refused to make excuses. “You left work early with a headache, which I gather was a lie. I thought you were ready to give up your rumspringa and join the church.”