Page 14 of The Christmas House
Bill, the driver, pulled into her lane right on time, and Liz wasn’t surprised to see the passenger van nearly full of Amishwomen heading out for an afternoon of shopping.
When they arrived at the Bird-in-Hand Bakery and Cafe, Matt was waiting for her near the entrance.
The shyness she’d experienced when he’d asked her out rose up once more, but she recalled how peaceful she’d felt at Ella Mae’s yesterday and took a deep breath.
She was determined to get to know Matt better without putting any expectations on either of them.
Matt smiled when he saw her and walked toward her. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said, and she noticed he’d dressed like he was going to church, just as he had that first day working for her.
She, too, had worn her best blue dress, cape, and matching apron. “Nice to see ya, too,” she said.
Inside the bakery and cafe, they stood at the counter and looked over the dessert options on the menu board overhead, bedecked with silvery garland. Liz chose a serving of apple dumplings and Matt a slice of shoofly pie.
A few minutes later, a busload of tourists arrived, and people began lining up right behind them. “What timing,” Matt whispered to her.
Liz agreed, still feeling oddly like she was out with someone she hardly knew. It wasn’t that Matt’s demeanor was any different—perhaps it was just the setting. No distractions from tour customers or preparations to make for the workday .
“Would ya like to sit upstairs where it’s quieter?” Matt asked when their orders were ready and they’d gotten their coffees.
“Okay.” Liz headed for the stairs with him, wondering if he’d thought through every aspect of their date.
They found a small table near the sliding glass door that led to an outside deck with a view of the farmers market across the road. Once they were seated, Matt said, “Let’s ask the blessing,” and they bowed their heads for the usual silent prayer.
Afterward, Liz reached for her coffee and took a sip. It’s just a casual date , Lord. Help me relax , she prayed silently.
Matt asked about her Sunday.
She thought of the lovely tea with Ella Mae, and before that, the sermon at Preaching service. “Your Dat’s cousin Preacher Yoder gave the first sermon,” she told him. “And later, I ran into Ashley Hyatt on the road.” She paused. “Well, I didn’t actually hit her.”
“ Des gut .” Matt chuckled.
“I gave her a ride home, and she told me why their family moved to the hollow.”
Matt’s eyes widened, and he left his shoofly pie untouched as she told how the Hyatts had left behind a big city in favor of life on a small acreage. “Logan evidently had some farmin’ experience,” Liz added.
“ Jah , he did mention to me ’bout helping on his uncle’s farm as a boy. He liked the idea of havin’ a big vegetable garden of his own.” Matt forked into his slice of pie at last. “They plan to rent out the larger portion of their land at some point.”
“Well, if they rent to an Amish farmer, that might help smooth over some of the tension in the hollow,” she replied, then took another bite of her delicious apple dumpling, a perfect blend of tart and sweet.
“Was it Ashley’s first time in a buggy?” Matt asked.
“I think so. She looked tired from her run but seemed glad to have someone to talk to.” Liz didn’t go into everything Ashley had shared with her. “Ever since, I’ve been tryin’ to think of somethin’ I could do to help them get more connected in the neighborhood.”
“I can see why.” He paused, studying her. “S’pose you’re prayin’ for wisdom ’bout that.”
Liz nodded. “Prayer always helps, for certain.” After they finished their desserts, another Amish couple came upstairs and sat across the room from them.
They talked so pleasingly to each other in Deitsch , exchanging smiles as they ate their chocolate cake.
Liz noticed the beginnings of a beard on the young man, indicating they were newlyweds.
Matt glanced at them and waved. “How ’bout that. That’s my cousin and his wife ... married last month.”
“They’re a little older than some couples,” she observed softly.
Matt smiled. “Like us.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his reply. He thinks we’re a couple?
Matt leaned forward at the table, his gaze intent on her.
He lowered his voice. “I know ya might wonder why I haven’t settled down yet.
I was seein’ a girl for quite some time.
” He looked down at the crumbs on his plate for a moment.
“Arie passed away unexpectedly from cancer two years ago—gone less than three months after her diagnosis.”
“I am so sorry,” Liz managed to say. “I had no idea, Matt.”
He gazed out the sliding door, quiet for a long moment. “I’ll be honest, it set me back for the longest time.”
She searched his face. Her heart ached for him. “Of course it would. What a terrible loss.”
He nodded ever so slowly, eyes solemn, and she wondered if he would say more.
“Eventually, though, I forced myself to be around people again, made myself go to Singings and whatnot.”
She nodded, hanging on every word.
“I started helpin’ with setting up the benches for house church, extra things like that.” He leaned back in his chair.
“Maybe you’re wonderin’ why I’m still single,” she ventured, reaching again for her coffee mug.
He smiled and nodded. “Your Dat did say you were when he contacted me ’bout helpin’ ya. He didn’t say much else, though.”
Liz blushed at the idea of Dat trying to set her up, then felt it was time to mention Calvin Kinsinger. “After my last beau and I dated a while, we both seemed to know we weren’t meant for each other. That was a year ago, and he’s moved away since. It wasn’t a hard loss like yours, though.”
Matt smiled again. “I’m glad ya shared that, Liz.” He paused, looking into her soul, it seemed. “And that ya trusted me . . . just one of the many things I appreciate ’bout you.”
She felt something rise in her as their eyes met and held. Her face warmed at his compliment. “ Denki. I appreciate you, too.”