“Emily!” Mamm’s voice called from downstairs.
Hair still down, Emily stepped out of her room and walked to the top of the stairs. “I thought you didn’t need help with breakfast this morning.”
“Nee, it’s not that. There’s a box here for you.”
“A box?” Emily frowned. The last time a box had come for her, it had been from Titus. Sorrow once again crushed her heart. How she missed being with him and the kinner. The thought of living without them almost drove her to agreeing to Titus’s unreasonable demands. But she had to stand her ground. She knew she wouldn’t be happy without her freedom.
“Dat said he’ll bring it up,” Mamm called back.
A moment later, Dat carried a very familiar looking box to her bedroom.
“Ach, that’s the stuff I sent back to Titus.” Emily sighed. What was she going to do with it now?
“It says ‘Return to Sender.’ But it looks like there’s a note attached,” Dat said. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
She watched as her father disappeared, then closed the door to her room. She stared at the box, wondering what it could mean.
Emily unfolded the note and silently read the words. Need help cleaning out egg fridge today. If interested, apply at the Troyer household. Come alone.
She reread the words, then laughed. She turned the note over and found something else. P.S. Peppermint coffee available. I love you.
Emily burst through her door and it slammed against the wall. Oops. “Mamm, I can’t go shopping with you today after all. I need to help clean out a refrigerator.”
Mamm appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “You’d rather clean out a refrigerator, than go shopping? Who are you and what have you done with my dochder?”
Emily jogged downstairs and handed Mamm the note.
“I see.” Mamm sighed. “I guess I’ll chust have to go shopping alone, then.”
“I’ll go with you, schatzi,” Dat said over Mamm’s shoulder.
“You always want to buy things we don’t need,” Mamm contended. “I spend twice as much when you come along.”
“Well, you better get used to it, fraa. By the look of things, it doesn’t look like you’ll have a shopping partner much longer.” Dat winked at Emily.
~
Although Titus had left that note, Emily still wasn’t certain what it meant exactly. Other than the obvious. He was cleaning out his egg fridge. But he’d asked her to come alone, which meant… Nee, she wouldn’t get her hopes up. But just the fact that he specifically said he wanted her to come alone implied that she would be driving by herself.
She guided her father’s mare into the Troyers’ driveway and stopped in front of the hitching post. She stepped down and tethered the horse.
Titus exited his woodshop, clad in attire totally inappropriate for cleaning out a fridge. He was wearing his favorite color shirt and his for gut clothes, including his black felt hat. Ach, he looked so handsome.
As Titus neared, Emily noticed there was something different about him—other than his fancy clothes, that was. His entire face seemed to shine. His eyes, usually dull, were bright and hopeful. She could feel joy just being in his presence. It radiated from him.
And that was when she knew.
This wasn’t about eggs, or cleaning out a fridge, or driving alone. Titus had changed. He’d become a new man.
“Did you come to fill the position?” Titus teased.
“I did.” Emily smiled.
“I’m sorry, it’s already been filled.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Sammy Eicher helped me clean it out earlier. Said he knew of someone who could use it.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Then why did I come?”
“Well, you see, I have this other position that needs to be filled, too.” His eyes bore into hers and he took a step closer. “And Sammy Eicher chust doesn’t meet the criteria.”
“What is the criteria?” She swallowed as he took another step closer.
“Well, this position can only be filled by a female.” His eyes did a once-over.
Emily found her cheeks warm all of a sudden. “I see. And what does this female need to do?”
“Well, she’ll have to know how to drive a buggy. Because I’d need her to take the kinner to school and pick them up every day.” He stepped closer, causing Emily’s heart to pound. “That is, until they’re old enough to drive themselves.”
“What else will she need to do?” She blinked.
“Since we’re talking about school, she’ll have to accompany the kinner and me tonight. It’s Rose’s last day of the year and they have some special goings-on.”
Emily nodded. “I think she can do that. Was there something else?”
“Well, she’ll have to know how to make a really gut strawberry shortcake, you see, because the kinner love strawberry shortcake.” He smirked. “And then there’s the last qualification.”
“What’s that?”
He took one final step and lifted his hand to her cheek. “Peppermint coffee kisses. It is an absolute must that she enjoy those.”
Emily licked her lips in anticipation of his kiss. “I…I think I might qualify for the position.”
“Gut. Because I didn’t want to have to look for anyone else.” He lowered his head, and ever so gently swept his lips over hers.
Emily suddenly pushed back, her heart still pounding from Titus’s kiss. “Wait. I have a requirement too.”
Titus hitched an eyebrow, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “That so?”
She nodded. “Must love cats.”
He chuckled. “I’d love anything in order to get another one of those kisses from you.”
Emily’s heart soared as her fingers wrapped around his suspender and she tugged him close. His lips met hers again, and she couldn’t help but dream of the wunderbaar future she’d have with her beloved.