After completing the Wednesday morning baking, Mary flipped open her recipe book. Was she wasting her time looking for that special recipe? The bishop hadn’t given her his final approval to enter the contest yet, and it was in five weeks.
She pulled a pencil from a holder and added notes to her recipe card: more nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon. Maybe she’d add licorice or anise for a little different taste to the apples and try a cookie dough for the pie crust.
Mary mixed, rolled the dough, laid the butter crust in the pan, arranged the spiced apples, and then wove strips of pastry over the top. She slipped it in the oven just as the bell jingled over the front door. Blotting her hands on her apron, she speed-walked toward the display counter. When she saw the customer, her feet almost stuttered to a stop. Bishop Yoder. And he wore a solemn face.
She eased herself forward like a child en route to her father for punishment. Reaching the counter, she jerked her chin up. “Gut Morgen, Bishop Yoder. Do you have a sweet tooth this morning?”
“Just a cup of coffee, and could you take a minute to sit with me?”
“Jah, I’ll bring it over.” Her hands jittered as she poured the coffee.
He took the table by the window and placed his hat on the chair next to him.
Oh, Lord, please let this be gut news. She carried two cups to the table and sat opposite the bishop. She blew on her coffee while he poured sugar and cream into his brew and stirred.
He took a sip, pushed his cup to the side and clasped his hands on the table. “Mary, I was riding past Hochstetlers’ Cheese shop on Monday, and I noticed you with Noah Miller. He had his arms around you. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the problems with seeing an Englischer. You’re a baptized member of the church. You will be shunned if you marry him, and the church could discipline you if continue to make such a public display.”
Mary jerked her cup as she raised it to take a sip. Nearly spilling it, she set it back down. “I’m not seeing Noah.”
“I know that he and his sisters spend significant time at your bakery.”
“Emily likes to come over and talk to Amanda, and she enjoys helping us bake. She’s new in town and lonely. It’s harmless.” Her words flurried out, uncontrolled.
“I also saw you with Noah at the barn raising introducing him to his relatives. Be careful, Mary.” He emphasized the last three words. “What looks like something innocent today can turn into something serious when you least suspect it.” The bishop took another sip of his coffee, grabbed his hat and pushed his chair back. “You have permission to compete in the contest.” He stood and walked out.
At the sound of footfalls behind her, Mary sprang up from her chair. “Amanda, you gave me a start. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Jah, I see that. You’re as white as flour. Are you all right?”
“The bishop was just here and warned me about getting too friendly with Noah. But I got permission to compete in the contest.”
“Gut news and bad. He’s trying to keep his flock together. You can’t blame him for that. And he knows that kind of relationship can end in heartbreak.” Amanda wrapped her friend in a hug. “But you don’t have feelings for Noah, do you?” Her voice sounded more probing than sure.
“Of course not.” At least, Mary hoped she didn’t. Although her back still tingled from Noah’s touch after he lifted her from the ground. Her heart fluttered each time she thought about the encounter. But nein, she would be sure to protect her heart when Noah was around. She followed Amanda back to the kitchen.
“Ach, my pie smells done.” Mary grabbed potholders and pulled the hot tin from the oven. A loud thump at the front door startled her. Her hands jerked, but she managed to get the pie to the counter before it slipped to the floor. “What is that commotion?”
“I have no idea.” Amanda dropped her rolling pin and raced ahead of Mary to the front of the bakery.
Daed and Jacob carried a table into the bakery and set it by the window. Mary laughed and blew out a sigh. “Sorry, Amanda, I forgot to tell you that we are going to start serving breakfast biscuits and croissants in the mornings.”
“What?” Amanda stared at the two new tables and chairs they were carrying inside and squeezing in next to the other five. “Mary, that’s going to be a lot of work for just the two of us.”
“The business has to expand in order to compete with Noah’s store. We are just going to offer the biscuit and croissant from six to nine a.m. It shouldn’t take much more effort to fry a few eggs, bacon and ham. My cousin Nettie is going to come in and help us.
Daed wrapped his arm around Mary. “I pray your business will improve. Now, Jacob and I must get back to the farm.”
Mary ran her hand across one of the wooden tables Daed had made. He loved to work with his hands, and it showed. She picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the chalkboard. Starting Friday, breakfast biscuits and croissants being served with egg, ham or bacon.
On Thursday, Mary and Amanda arrived early to make sure the kitchen was organized and there was space ready for additional biscuits and croissants. Later in the morning, the Country Fresh truck delivered the extra eggs, ham and bacon.
“I sure hope my idea works.” Mary braced herself with a hand on the edge of the counter. Her brain spinning at the thought of the extra money she had spent.
“It will.” Amanda patted her friend on the back. “You’ll see.”
Mary drew a deep, cleansing breath. “Well, at least Noah’s store isn’t in the Kalona tourist guide yet, so the tourists will probably stop at Sweet Delights first. But I’m sure he’ll have it listed for next year’s printing.”
She put that out of her head as she started her long day of baking and preparing the bakery for serving a hot breakfast.
After Amanda set the croissant dough in the refrigerator and went home, Mary took one last survey of the kitchen’s layout, turned the lights out, locked up and hurried, feet aching, to the buggy. She hitched King, and as she stepped in the buggy, a thought tickled her brain. Tomorrow, Noah would be in for a surprise when Sweet Delights started selling fresh breakfast biscuits and croissants.
Friday morning Mary’s cousin, Nettie Brenneman, met her at the bakery and followed her in to the kitchen. “Danki, Nettie, for helping us out.
“I’m glad to do it. What do you want me to do?”
“Why don’t you get the skillets ready for bacon, ham and eggs? Place your supplies where it’s comfortable for you. I’ll take the croissant dough from the refrigerator and finish making the first batch.”
“Danki, Mary, I’m excited about helping, and maybe I can show you some of my baking.”
She watched Nettie tear around the kitchen, accustomed to cooking for her parents and ten siblings. Mary had tasted Nettie’s breakfast rolls, and they were delicious. Jah, maybe Nettie would bring some new flavor to the bakery.
Ten minutes later, Amanda rushed into the kitchen, letting in a cool gust of morning air. She glanced around. “Wow, you two have been working hard. The stations look ready to go.”
Mary glanced at her friend. “Gut Morgen. Jah, Nettie will fry the eggs and meat. I’m finishing the croissants.”
“I’ll start the biscuits.” Amanda poured a cup of coffee, took a sip and got started.
Mary rolled out the croissant dough, shaped the triangles and brushed with egg wash. She set them aside to proof. When they were puffed up and spongy to the touch, she spritzed a preheated oven, placed the croissants in the oven and spritzed again. At the end of the process, they were a golden brown.
Fifteen minutes later, Mary glanced at the clock. “Almost time to start.” She darted to the front of the bakery, set out condiments, and filled the napkins holders.
At 6:00 a.m., she unlocked the door. Before she had time to walk back to the counter, Frank Wallin pushed the door open.
He stuck his nose in the air and made a loud sniffing sound. “It smells like bacon in here. I’ll try a ham, egg and cheese biscuit, and my usual roll and coffee.”
“Frank,” Mary chuckled, “did you order a roll because you’re not sure if you’ll like the biscuit?” A smile pulled at her mouth, but she tried to push it away.
He laughed. “It was a hard decision. I want to try the biscuit, but it’s hard giving up the roll.”
Amanda scooted in from the kitchen with the biscuit. “You’re feeling daring today, Frank.”
Mary bagged the biscuit and handed it to Frank along with his coffee. “Let us know how you like it?”
“I will, but I have no doubt that it’s delicious.”
After Frank, Mary served one customer after another. When the steady stream let up, she glanced at the clock. 9:00. “Ach. It was a success.”
Amanda ran to the front. “Wunderbaar.”
Nettie stuck her head around the kitchen door. “Congratulations!”
Mary laughed and twirled around. “I can’t believe the difference that a few eggs and ham can make.”
The doorbell jingling, pulled her attention to the next customer. She straightened and threw on a smile. Noah Miller.
Noah stepped forward. “So, you’re making breakfast sandwiches now. You’re sort of a copycat,” he clowned.
“The bakery has to compete with other businesses, Noah, or was it your plan just to run me out of town without a fight?” Her cheeks reddened.
He laughed. “Take it easy. I’m just teasing you. I don’t blame you one bit for serving breakfast. I’d do the same thing. I stopped to thank you for introducing me to my family out at the barn raising.”
Her cheeks lightened to a pink. “Glad it worked out for you.” Her tone was warm.
“I’m not sure how it worked out just yet, but at least we know each other now. I stopped by my grandpa’s farm the other day. He was mending fence, I helped him, and he asked me to stay to dinner.”
“That’s wunderbaar. He is strict in his belief, but maybe he will soften.”
“I don’t know about that. I helped him, and I think he felt obligated.”
“You should see it for what it is. The feet walk the road, but Gott works in the heart to change the direction.”
“Maybe someday I’ll know God well enough that I’ll understand what you just said.”
Mary poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Noah. “I think your grossdaddi wants to get to know you, but you are Englisch. Your daed, his sohn, broke his heart when he left and never came home to visit or try to patch up whatever happened between them. That had to be hard on Thomas.”
“You’re right. I’m expecting too much.” Noah braced a hip against the counter.
Mary’s eyes locked with his then she pulled away. “Just keep seeing him. Maybe you can melt the ice that has formed around his heart. Eventually, you may chip it away. Where’s Emily? I haven’t seen her the last few days.”
“She started school and has met some friends, so you may not see her quite as much now.” He tried to hide the smile that wanted to break free. Mary had actually dropped her guard and let them have a gentle moment.
“Gut, she needs friends.”
He glanced at the display case. “So how is your recipe for the contest coming along?”
“So that’s your real reason for stopping by. Now I understand. For your information, Mr. Miller, it is out-of-this-world wow-wee.”
Noah laughed. “I have no doubt. You’re a terrific baker. I haven’t decided what I’m going to make yet. But I’m sure I’ll find the perfect one that’ll stand up to yours.”
“Noah,” she huffed, “you are so conceited.”
“I can see I have overstayed my welcome. See you around, Chef Brenneman.” He stole another quick look at Mary before heading to the door. She was sure feisty.
But then why shouldn’t she be? She was fighting for her bakery and the welfare of her family. He understood, but he’d invested a lot of money in opening this store, and he couldn’t afford to throw it away. The contest would help decide which one of them would survive.
Either way, he would lose. If he won the contest, it would probably drive her out of business, since a town with a population of five thousand probably couldn’t sustain two bakeries year round. If she won, he’d be driven out of town.
He crossed the street and looked back at Sweet Delights. Either way, he would lose a friend, one that sure could irritate him but also kept him on his toes.