Chapter Fifteen
“I need to milk now,” Gabe said to the inspector. They wouldn’t interfere with that, would they?
“Figured that.” Mr. Jackson headed for the door. “I plan to watch the whole procedure from start to finish to see how the milk could end up mixed together.”
Although having someone watching made Gabe nervous, at least Mr. Jackson would see the impossibility of combining the two kinds of milk.
“I don’t want you to do anything differently now that I’m here. Our purpose isn’t to put you out of business, but to help you fix the problems we identify.”
“I appreciate that.” Gabe motioned toward the exit. “I’m always glad to hear suggestions for improvement.”
When they reached the door, Priscilla stood blocking the way. As Gabe opened the door, she kept her back plastered to it. He couldn’t believe it. She’d been hiding the sign from the reporters.
“Are you Gabe?” A lively redhead bounced toward him. “I’m Alyssa McDonald. Pleased to meet you.” She held out her hand.
Gabe shook it, but worried about Priscilla being caught between the door and the building. She snaked her way out and held the door open so the sign didn’t show.
“Why don’t I lock up for you?” Priscilla grabbed the edge of the door so it didn’t close.
“Danke.” Gabe breathed out the word in relief. “That would be a help.”
He turned to Alyssa. “I’m going down to the barn to milk if you’d like to come.”
Alyssa beamed. “Awesome. I’ve enjoyed talking to Priscilla, but it’ll be good to get your answers. I’ll just go call Jake. He’s been taking pictures of your camels. I hope that’s all right. He’ll want to see the milking too.”
“Of course.” If this woman stayed talkative, it would make Gabe’s interview much easier. He only hoped she didn’t ask questions he couldn’t answer.
To Gabe’s relief, Priscilla held the shop door open until he’d escorted the reporters and inspector partway down the driveway. When everyone was far enough away that the sign wasn’t visible, she closed the store and hurried to join them. What a thoughtful thing to do!
She caught up with them as they crossed the street to the milking barn. Gabe showed them around quickly, making sure to stress his sanitation and procedures for the inspector.
Jake still snapped pictures. Although Priscilla had never been in his milking barn, she pointed out things to Alyssa. Growing up around cows and reading about camels gave her enough knowledge.
Gabe shot her a grateful glance. “Camels get very jittery around strangers,” he told the others. Not that he blamed camels for being uncomfortable with people they didn’t know. Gabe was too.
Priscilla picked up where he left off. “If anything changes in their routine, camels don’t give much milk. They give only a small amount of milk as it is, which is why camel’s milk is so expensive.”
“How much does it cost?”
“A pint is fifteen dollars.”
Alyssa’s eyebrows arched way up. “Wow. Just for a pint?”
“That’s right.” Priscilla gestured to the exit. “That’s why we all need to stand way back. If we’re outside there”—she indicated the chest-high wooden fencing—“we can still see inside.”
“Gotcha.” Alyssa turned a toothy smile toward Mr. Jackson as they backed outside the small barn. “I see you’re from the FDA. You here for an inspection?”
Gabe sucked in a breath and waited for Mr. Jackson’s answer. Whatever he said would be published in her story.
Tight-lipped, Mr. Jackson only nodded, and Gabe exhaled slowly. Maybe he’d keep this closure a secret from the reporter.
Alyssa leaned toward him. “How’s it going so far?”
“We do not discuss ongoing investigations with the public, and especially not with the newspapers.” Mr. Jackson’s frigid expression warned her not to ask him questions. “You can search the database to find our final decisions.”
“Investigation?” Alyssa’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Not a regular inspection then?”
“I said,” he answered stiffly, “we never discuss anything. Please don’t jump to conclusions about my word choice.”
His coldness didn’t deter Alyssa, who moved closer to Priscilla. “Can you tell me what’s going on? Inspection? Investigation?”
Gabe needed to round up the camels, but he didn’t want to miss Priscilla’s answer.
She met the reporter’s questions with a friendly smile. “Why don’t I tell you more about camel’s milk, since that’s what the article is about?”
With a silent exhale, Gabe left, confident Priscilla could handle the reporter. He had no idea why Priscilla helped him this way, but he appreciated it.
Her sweet voice floated after him. “Did you know camel’s milk is good for IBS, autoimmune problems, and diabetes?”
“Really?” Alyssa’s question held a touch of disbelief. “Why don’t more people know about it, then?”
“I’ve wondered that too.”
Gabe rushed to round up the camels, but when he reached the road, he slowed. A vision of Matthew racing around that curve haunted him. He looked both ways before urging the mother camels to cross the street with the babies.
Thoughts of Matthew brought up his irritation. Gabe had determined to get Matthew to clear Priscilla’s name, even if it meant he’d lose her. He had no right to keep her back from a happy home and family. No matter how wrenching it would be to see her with someone else.
* * *
The minute Gabe was out of earshot, Alyssa pinned Priscilla with a searching gaze. “Everyone’s so evasive. This whole FDA thing makes me wonder what’s really going on?”
“You know,” Priscilla said to Jake, “the camels coming across the road are cute. They’d make good pictures.”
“Thanks.” Jake spun around and readied his camera.
“You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?” Alyssa looked crestfallen.
Priscilla ignored Alyssa’s remark and suggested, “Why don’t you watch the camels too?” She prayed the milking would distract the reporter. If they could get her out of here without seeing the sign on the door, she might write a great article about Gabe’s farm.
Her heart skipped a beat as Gabe stood in the center of the road, waiting for the smallest camels to cross. He looked as if he’d protect them with his life. His tenderness made her misty eyed. If only she’d courted someone like Gabe. She could have trusted him never to betray her.
Alyssa leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Are you all right?”
Priscilla had to guard her reactions around this eagle-eyed reporter. “Aren’t the babies the cutest things? I can’t help being touched when I see them. They remind me of God’s love.”
“Huh?” Alyssa looked puzzled. “What do camels have to do with God?”
Now it was Priscilla’s turn to be surprised. “God created them. Isn’t it amazing how God made so many different animals and people? We’re all unique, and God created each one of us special.”
“If you say so.” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “So, you think God’s responsible for this mop of unruly red hair? I’ve always blamed my parents.”
“Of course He is. But we shouldn’t pay much attention to what’s on the outside. God looks on the heart, and we should too.”
Alyssa made a face. “I’m not sure my inside looks much better than my outside.”
“That makes sense. We’re all sinners. That’s why we need God’s forgiveness.”
“Don’t tell me you’re a sinner.” Alyssa gestured toward Priscilla’s Plain clothing. “You dress all prim and proper. Anyone can tell you’re a goody-goody just by looking at you.”
Priscilla shook her head. “Once again, that’s looking on the outside. People can dress like this but do wrong things.” Like Matthew, for example.
And you for judging him, her conscience chided.
She needed to be honest. “Even if I try hard to live right, I’m human and make mistakes. None of us can be perfect.”
“Don’t I know it.” Alyssa sighed. “I have a long way to go.”
“But no matter how hard we try, we still sin. That’s why we need to ask for God’s forgiveness.”
“You have no idea some of the things I’ve done. God could never forgive me.”
“All sin is alike in God’s eyes. And God can forgive everything. That’s why Jesus came. He took the punishment we each deserve for our sin on Himself.”
“I remember some of that from Sunday School as a little girl, but I haven’t been to church in years.”
Alyssa remained silent as Gabe brought in the camels. She watched him closely and took a few notes.
Priscilla longed to continue the conversation, but Gabe needed the barn quiet during the milking. Once the milking ended, she’d make time to finish talking to Alyssa. Priscilla positioned everyone outside the stall a safe distance away.
Jake leaned over the wooden railing to take pictures, but Gabe was sitting on the opposite side of the camel. “This is going to be difficult.”
She had a better view. A view she hated to give up. Gabe’s business came first, though. “Switch places with me,” she whispered.
Sighing inwardly, she moved to the farthest place so Alyssa and Mr. Jackson could see better. Never again would she have such a good excuse to stare at Gabe as he worked.
* * *
As he settled himself onto his stool for milking, Gabe wished he’d planned this better. When he’d picked four o’clock for the interview, he’d been so nervous, his only thought had been to have Priscilla present. He hadn’t factored in milking time. Now he had to milk in front of three strangers, including one who was noting his every action for violations and two who were recording everything for the public.
Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to calm himself. The camels always gave less milk when he was tense.
He cleaned the first camel’s udder carefully, conscious that Mr. Jackson would be watching his every move.
Alyssa scribbled furiously in her notebook while he went through each step.
Usually he enjoyed the milking, spending time with each camel, sensing its mood, and coaxing it to give as much milk as possible. Today, he operated by rote. Milk production would be much lower than usual, but it didn’t matter, because he couldn’t sell it anyway. Mr. Jackson had warned Gabe that all the milk he collected over the next few days might need to be discarded.
Gabe wished he could give it to Priscilla or donate it to children at her school, but he suspected Mr. Jackson wouldn’t allow that. Not until he proved he sold only pure camel’s milk.
He prayed as he worked. Lord, help us find a way to reveal the truth about Fleurette and Henry.
Leaving his burdens with the Lord, Gabe relaxed. Everything happened for a reason. He might not understand why this was happening, but God had a plan. Gabe just had to trust.
Milking took longer than normal, and the minute he was done, Alyssa bombarded him with questions. How many camels did he have? How long had he been in business? Why did he choose camels? Why had he moved to Lancaster?
With Priscilla standing nearby for support, Gabe managed to respond to each one, although he kept his answers brief. He needed to take care of the cows. She wouldn’t want to watch that, but how could he get them to their vehicle without seeing the sign?
Priscilla must have read his mind. “Should I take the milk up to the store refrigerator while you finish answering questions down here?”
“The bottles won’t be too heavy for you, will they?”
She laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
Alyssa stared at Priscilla admiringly. “I love seeing strong women.”
Although Gabe would have preferred to keep Priscilla here, he fished the keys from his pocket and handed them to her. He’d tested each batch under Mr. Jackson’s watchful eyes before combining them. He had storage tanks here, but today’s milk barely filled two large containers.
When she reached for the keys, he whispered, “You remember which side the camel’s milk goes on?”
She nodded. He hoped she wouldn’t make a mistake. Mr. Jackson would trail along with her. He needed to observe each step of the process. Once again, Gabe had to remind himself to trust God.
* * *
Priscilla lifted the covered containers and started off slowly and carefully. Jake looked as if he planned to follow her, so she pointed out a cute group of baby camels. That might keep him busy for a while.
Her nerves on edge, she headed across the street and up the hill. Any mistake she made would reflect poorly on Gabe. Having the inspector on her heels the whole way added to her stress.
When they reached the store, she set down the containers to unlock the door, hoping that wasn’t a problem. Would he mark Gabe down for that?
She propped the door open with one of the coolers. If Jake or Alyssa came up, they couldn’t read the notice. Only the blank back of the page would be visible.
She’d just finished setting the containers in the correct side of the refrigerator when a deep voice called out, “Anyone in here?” Priscilla rushed out to find Jake traipsing around the store.
“Okay if I take a few shots in here?”
Priscilla waved toward the shelves. “I’m sure Gabe’d be fine with that. I can also show you around the refrigerators, if you’d like.”
“Great. Let me do these first.”
Mr. Jackson watched both of them through narrowed eyes as Priscilla took Jake into the refrigerated room for pictures. Maybe this didn’t meet the inspector’s safety standards, but Gabe kept this room open to the public.
“Looks super neat and organized,” Jake remarked. “Doesn’t it?” He directed that question to Mr. Jackson.
Mmm was the inspector’s noncommittal reply.
Couldn’t he at least give Gabe credit for orderly shelves? Even if Mr. Jackson didn’t admit it, he ought to write it in his report. The precise arrangements impressed Priscilla. She prayed Mr. Jackson felt the same way. Gabe must have straightened everything for the newspaper photos, but that worked out to be God’s perfect timing. The refrigerated room couldn’t have been in any better shape than it was right now. Definitely one blessing.
A little while later, Alyssa popped her head into the doorway. “There you all are. Gabe answered a lot of questions.” One hand on the doorknob, she asked, “Want me to shut this? It’s getting breezier.”
“No!” Priscilla practically shrieked. She raced over and pressed her hand against the door. “Let’s keep it open for Gabe.”
Alyssa cocked her head at Priscilla’s lame excuse. “Gabe has to milk the cows. He won’t be back for a while.”
Priscilla struggled to come up with a better reason.
Mr. Jackson saved her. “I’m heading down to watch the milking. We should lock up the building while we’re gone.” He spoke to Priscilla, but tilted his head toward the exit, conveying that the others should leave too.
“But I haven’t seen the store.” Alyssa strode over to Jake. “How’re the pics coming?”
“I’m almost done.”
Mr. Jackson stood by the door, rapping his knuckles against the doorjamb in a hurry-up rhythm.
Alyssa wrinkled her nose and huffed. “If I don’t look now, I’m not sure when I’ll have time to come back.”
The knuckle-tapping sped up.
“Oh, all right.” Dragging her feet, Alyssa headed for the exit.
Once again Priscilla planted her back against the door, this time to hold it open.
Jake snapped a few more pictures before following Alyssa. “You’ll be okay, Lys. I got plenty of shots. I’ll give you copies of anything you missed.”
“Thanks, Jake.” She sailed out the door.
All three of them turned to wait for Priscilla.
“Why don’t you go on ahead? Gabe’s probably started the milking by now. I’ll just close up here.”
Mr. Jackson’s gaze locked on Priscilla. The slight negative flick of his head indicated he didn’t want her out of his sight, but she had no intention of closing the door until Alyssa and Jake were gone.
The standoff could have taken all night, but Alyssa started down the hill. “I have a few questions to ask Gabe before we leave.”
Jake caught up with her. As soon as they were out of sight, Priscilla shut and locked the door, and Mr. Jackson race-walked down the hill.
Priscilla wanted to talk to Alyssa about God, but as soon as she and Mr. Jackson reached Alyssa, the reporter turned her attention to the inspector.
“You seem determined to scrutinize every detail of this business.”
“It’s my job.”
A suspicious look in her eyes, Alyssa studied him. “Seems like a lot more than ordinary supervision.”
With a shrug, Mr. Jackson shouldered past her and continued his rapid descent.
The reporter stared after him. Priscilla moved up to walk beside her, hoping for an opening to resume their previous conversation.
To her surprise, Alyssa brought up the subject. “I guess you people believe everything in the Bible is true.”
“We do. It’s God’s Word.”
Alyssa shook her head. “I’m not sure I buy that, but I do admire you for sticking to your beliefs. It can’t be easy to live so differently than the rest of the world.”
“We believe God wants us to be separate and not get involved with worldly things.”
“I could never live without electricity.” Alyssa ran a hand through her hair. “Yikes! I can’t even imagine what I’d look like without my hair dryer.”
Priscilla smiled. “If you were Amish, you’d pull it back into a bob, and nobody would notice.”
“A bob? I thought you kept your hair long.”
“That’s what we call our hairstyle. Englischers call it a bun.”
“So you have a bun under that white thingy?”
With a nod, Priscilla tried to turn the conversation back to God. She touched the kapp on her head. “This is a prayer covering. It reminds us to always be in prayer.”
“I’d hate to think about that all day long. I’d probably not do half the things I usually do.”
“Wouldn’t that be good?”
Alyssa laughed. “Yeah, probably.” Then she sobered, and her thoughtful look changed to sadness. “You really believe God can forgive anything?”
“God’s Word promises He will.”
“God’s Word?”
“The Bible,” Priscilla clarified. “It tells us all about God’s love and forgiveness.”
They’d reached the milking barn. Alyssa put on a businesslike expression and lifted her notebook and pen as if she were ready to take notes. “I have a few questions for Gabe.”
Priscilla regretted the abrupt end to their conversation.
Just before they entered the barn, Alyssa turned. “My grandpa gave me a Bible for graduation. He’s not around anymore, but maybe I should try reading it.”
“That’s a great idea.” Priscilla hoped Alyssa would follow up.
After Jake and Alyssa entered the barn, Priscilla hesitated outside and bowed her head. Please, Lord, touch Alyssa’s heart and draw her toward You.
Maybe some good might come from Gabe’s problems after all.