It was close to eleven thirty when Titus’s driver pulled up to the farmers market. Fortunately, everyone, including their driver, wanted to stroll the farmers market. Emily’s bruder Paul opted to watch her booth for her while they perused the other vendor booths. Titus was just happy to see Emily and the kinner.
The boys were fast asleep under Emily’s canopy. Benuel had conked out in the van, so Titus carefully transferred him to the quilt Ty was sleeping on. Rose stayed behind to help Paul with prices.
Titus had been tempted to take Emily’s hand, as they walked side-by-side down the street.
“How did the men’s fellowship go?” She glanced his way.
“Gut. We can talk about it later. How’d your booth do?”
“Not as good as I thought.” She frowned. “Perhaps one of the stores is having a strawberry sale this week.”
“Maybe. But store-bought aren’t half as gut as yours. Straight from the farm is always best. Especially since yours are so sweet and juicy.” He shook his head. “And they’re organic too, ain’t so? So they don’t carry that sulfuric taste.”
“You taste that too?” Her jaw dropped. “I thought I was the only one.”
“You could bring some store-bought strawberries, so people could taste the difference, or—” He stopped and stared at her. “You know what you need? You need to make up some of your strawberry shortcake and give samples away. You could even give a copy of your recipe to your customers who buy a certain amount.”
“Titus! That’s a really gut idea! I love it!”
And he loved the smile she graced him with.
“What do you think of coming out here with me and selling some of your wood projects? Or your eggs?”
He rubbed his beard. Not eggs. “I’m not sure. Do you think the Englisch would like my wood stuff? It’s not too fancy.”
“I think that jewelry box you made me was pretty fancy.” She grinned at him again. “I put our rings in there, by the way.”
“You did? Gut.”
“Do you think you could make one for Bailey? I’d love to give her one as a gift. She has a cute necklace and other things her dat bought her when he was Englisch. I’d pay you for it, of course.”
Titus chuckled. “We’re to be married soon. I’m not going to charge you.”
“I want you to. I want the gift to be from me, not you.”
“Have it your way, then. Not sure I understand the way a woman’s mind works.” He laughed.
“I don’t think most men do, but that’s okay. We don’t get you, either.”
He walked up to one of the booths selling flowers. “Please give me the largest bouquet you have.”
The vendor smiled and handed him a bunch of colorful blossoms of various kinds. She told him the price. He paid, then handed the bouquet to Emily.
“Titus! Did you really just pay forty dollars for this?” They made their way back to Emily’s booth.
“Don’t worry about the price. Just enjoy them.”
“I’d kiss you, if we weren’t in public.”
“And I’d kiss you back.” He winked.
“You’re spoiling me again.”
“I can’t help it. I’m in love with you, Emily Miller.”
~
“Your room is beginning to look like a gift shop,” Susan remarked as she poked her head into Emily’s bedroom.
Emily sighed in contentment. “I know. Titus spoils me.”
“It’s a waste.” Susan shook her head in disapproval.
“Are you jealous?”
Susan snorted. “Whatever.”
“It’s only a waste when it’s spent on someone who doesn’t appreciate them,” Emily quipped. “This is how Titus shows his love. It isn’t wasted on me.”
Susan rolled her eyes, then stormed off.
Again, Emily wondered about her schweschder. She seemed so discontent lately. Perhaps Emily needed to pray for her more.
“Emily,” Nathaniel’s voice called from downstairs. “Something came for you.”
She peeked out the window to see a brown delivery truck heading down the road. What on earth? She hadn’t ordered anything.
Emily hurried downstairs. A small box sat on the table.
“What is it? What did you order?” Nathaniel asked.
“Nothing. I have no idea what it could be.” She shrugged.
“Well, it’s got your name on it. Open it.”
“Okay.” She cautiously opened the box. “They’re business cards! Ach, they’re so cute. Look at this.” She turned it over and showed it to Nathaniel. “It’s my recipe for strawberry shortcake.”
Nathaniel examined it, squinting. “Jah, but you need a magnifying glass to read it.” He chuckled.
“Titus is such a sweetheart.” She was tempted to swoon again. “He does so much for me.”
“I think he’s lost his mind.”
She slapped Nathaniel’s arm with the packaging slip. “He loves me, that’s all.”
“Jah, well, I’ve never done anything like that for a girl.”
“Which may be why you’re still unmarried,” she teased.
“That was low, Emily.” He shook his head, laughing.
Squeaky brakes drew their attention outside.
“You’re kidding me,” Nathaniel said. “The delivery guy’s back.”
Emily walked outside.
“Is there an Emily Miller here?”
“That’s me.” She smiled.
“Sorry, I forgot this one earlier.” He handed her a package. “I believe that’s all for today.”
“Thank you!” she called as he headed back toward his vehicle.
Nathaniel appeared at her side. “Alright, let’s see what else Dr. Love got for you.”
Emily pushed his arm, before taking her box inside. This one was larger and more square than the last one had been. She sighed as she ran her hand over the box.
“Well, you going to open it or gawk at it all day?”
“You’re more excited than I am about it.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” He handed her his pocket knife.
“You’re right.” She slid his knife under the packaging tape, then carefully removed the abundance of packing peanuts.
Nathaniel took one and batted it with his hand.
She shook a finger at her older brother. “If you make a mess, you’re cleaning it up.”
“I’ll blame it on you.” He chuckled, then began juggling the packing peanuts. “Hurry up, already.”
Finally, she pulled out two fancy drinking glasses in her special color. Tears pricked her eyes. She turned to Nathaniel and shook her head, unable to speak any words.
Nathaniel whistled. “Wow, those are…nice. Dr. Love doesn’t mess around, does he?”
With her heart full, Emily took her treasures up to her room. What would it be like to be married to this wunderbaar man who seemed to be able to read her so intimately?