CHAPTER 10
S he’d just finished putting the last of the four dozen blueberry muffins into the bakery case when her first customer of the morning arrived.
Unable to help herself, she glanced at the clock on the wall. Hmm. He was earlier than normal. It was only half past six.
She’d only been ten minutes off.
Treva had begun to play a mental game with herself regarding Jonny Schrock’s morning visits. She liked to try to guess the exact time he’d stride through her shop’s front door. It gave her something to think about besides the way the sight of him made her feel—like she’d finally woken up after living in a fog of grief and disappointment during the last couple of years.
Today was the closest she’d come to guessing his entrance yet. As far as she was concerned, it was a cause for a celebration.
“Tell me congratulations, Jonny,” she called out.
His serious expression brightened at her words. “For what?”
“For making such a good guess about what time you’d walk in through these doors.” Only after her words flew out of her mouth did she realize that she sounded way too interested in him.
Perhaps even stalker-like?
“I didn’t know you noticed things like that.”
Of course he didn’t. Because he probably didn’t think of her at all until he wanted a good cup of coffee. It was time to backpedal—and fast. “You know what? Please forget—”
He laughed, interrupting. “No way. Am I really that predictable?”
“Only a little bit.” Of course, it was more likely that she was the predictable one. She was the one who stood behind the coffee counter and looked for Jonny Schrock to arrive sometime between half past six and half past seven.
“You better be careful, son. It sounds like she’s got your number,” the man standing next to Jonny said.
Startling her. She hadn’t even noticed that Jonny wasn’t alone.
Jonny noticed. “Treva, this is my father. He’s in town for a few days.”
Even if they both hadn’t referred to their relationship, it was obvious that the two of them were related. The older man—who really wasn’t all that old—had the same dark-blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and lanky build as Jonny. He also had that same aura of confidence floating around him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Schrock,” she said.
He grinned as he strode forward. “Call me Matt. And it’s nice to meet you, too. Especially since Jonny told me that your coffee is amazing.”
“ Danke . What would you like?”
“I’ll take my usual,” Jonny said.
“One large latte with almond milk coming up. Matt, what about you?”
“I’ll have a large latte and a blueberry muffin. Did you make them?”
“I did, just a couple of hours ago.”
Matt grinned. “I’ll take two, then.”
Hoping that he would finally give one of her treats a try, she smiled at Jonny. “Do you want anything to eat?”
“ Nee . The coffee will do me fine.”
“All right.” She knew that food wasn’t love and a person’s preference for food was a personal choice. But she was starting to feel a little hurt that he always looked as if taking one of the muffins, donuts, or scones was a terrible idea. “Everything will be ready in a couple of minutes.”
She turned to begin the process of heating the water and tamping the espresso grounds when her door opened again. “I’ll be right with you,” she called out.
“ Danke , Treva,” a familiar voice replied.
She turned and smiled. “Hiya, Preacher Richard.”
“ Gut matin . Have you met mei frau yet?”
“I’m sorry, nee .” They were in different church districts.
“This is Kelsey. Kels, this is Treva. Not only does she make the best coffee and apricot bars in town, but she’s genuinely nice.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” the blonde said.
“Likewise. I’ll take your orders in just a moment,” she replied before turning back to the espresso machine.
When she turned around with two drinks in her hands, she noticed that Kelsey and Jonny were in some kind of quiet argument off to the side. Matt and Richard were standing in front of the counter in silence.
“Here’s your two drinks,” she said, “and here’s your two blueberry muffins,” she added as she handed the paper sack to Matt.
“Thanks. How much do I owe you?”
After she told him the price, she glanced toward Jonny and Richard’s wife again. The woman was shaking a finger in Jonny’s face, and Jonny looked like he was mere seconds from grabbing her hand and putting a stop to it.
Richard Miller noticed her worry. “Don’t mind them,” he said in an easy, reassuring tone. “They look like they’re coming to blows, but they won’t.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Very. It’s a sibling thing.”
“Ah, yes. ” She glanced at both of them, looking for similarities. Immediately, she noticed that their stances were exactly the same. And . . . very similar to the older man standing nearby.
“They’re my two youngest,” Matt added. “They’re close in age and have no problem sparring about everything.”
“I see.”
He smiled at her. “It’s okay if you don’t. I barely understand what’s going on in our family half the time,” he added, as he put most of the change in her empty tip jar.
Treva didn’t know how to respond, so she was very grateful when the door to the shop opened and another customer entered. “Preacher Richard, what may I get for you?”
Looking at his wife, he murmured, “Kelsey, love, leave your poor brother alone and come tell me what you want.”
Immediately, Kelsey broke away from Jonny and moved to her husband’s side. “A vanilla latte. And . . . maybe one of those chocolate scones?”
“And for you, Richard?”
“A plain coffee and an apricot bar, Treva.”
“Coming right up.” By the time she handed the couple their order and gave Richard his change, three more people were in line. “Thank you for coming in,” she said.
“I’ll be back,” Kelsey said with a sweet smile. “This drink is so good.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Looking at the next customer, an older man obviously just done with a run, she said, “May I help you?”
“Coffee, water, and a scone, doll.”
“Coming right up.” Just as she turned around, Jonny walked up to the counter. “Do you need something else?”
“Yeah. I need to make an apology.”
“For what?”
“For having an argument in here.”
Pouring the runner’s coffee into a large cup, she shrugged. “It didn’t bother me none.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“You’re forgiven.” She smiled at him, then waved good-bye to his father as she picked up a pair of tongs to retrieve the scone. “Here you go,” she told her customer.
“Thanks.” The runner slid a ten toward her. “Keep the change.”
“Thank you,” she said with a smile.
Though she couldn’t help but give half her attention to the four people who were now standing in the middle of the sidewalk outside. Each one of them looked uncomfortable.
“Lord,” she silently prayed. “Please be with them today. I think each is going to be needing a little bit of extra attention.”
Then she smiled at the pair of Mennonite women who’d moved forward.
“Tell me about those muffins. Are they vegan?” one of the women asked.
“ Nee ,” she said as she attempted to focus on her job again. She had enough on her plate without borrowing anyone else’s problems.
She and Jonny might be forming a special friendship, but he wasn’t hers. That meant she didn’t need to load his burden onto her shoulders.
She’d learned the hard way that never helped too much. All it seemed to do was give her a backache.
Two hours later, she was still thinking about Jonny, his sister, and their father. Maybe it was because she was an only child, but she had felt like something had been “off” with them. She wondered what it was.
Unable to help herself, she wondered about their father, too. Even though he’d been wearing jeans and a flannel, he looked anything but casual. Actually, he looked as fancy as any city dweller who came to Walden during the holidays in order to visit the Christmas tree maze and load up on quaint crafts to give to friends.
But that said, he didn’t exactly look out of place. And she could be wrong, but she was pretty sure she’d heard him speak Pennsylvania Dutch to Preacher Richard.
When Aunt Ruth came in to take over for the last two hours of the day, Treva took advantage of the momentary lull to get some information.
“Hey, Aunt Ruth?”
“ Jah , dear?”
“I met Jonny Schrock’s daed this morning. His name is Matt.”
“Yes?”
“Um, well, it occurred to me that he must have been raised Amish since Jonny’s grandparents are. Did you happen to know him?”
“Matt . . . Oh, my. You met Matthew.” Sounding stunned, she murmured, “Boy, I haven’t thought about Matthew Schrock in years.”
“You know him?”
“Well, yes. I mean, I knew him slightly years ago.”
“Really? So, he did grow up Amish?”
“He did.” Looking wistful, she smiled. “All of us girls had crushes on him. He was handsome and charming.” She chuckled. “I guess you would call him a catch.”
“What happened to him?”
Stepping behind the counter, Aunt Ruth pulled on an apron and smoothed it over the front of her dress. “Well, he jumped the fence in the middle of the night.”
“What? Really?”
Aunt Ruth nodded. “Really. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.” Looking more pensive, she added, “It caused quite the commotion, I’ll tell you what. Everyone said his parents were surprised and devastated. All at the same time!”
“Goodness.” Aunt Ruth sure had a way of telling a story, but it wasn’t boring, she’d give her that.
“ Jah . I do remember hearing that he married an Englisher and he became successful in business or some such. He’s rich,” she whispered.
Treva couldn’t help but be surprised. Some of the kids she’d gone to school with used to share stories they’d heard from various relatives about how hard it was for teenagers who jumped the fence. Of course, some had elected not to be baptized Amish with their parents’ understanding. It might not have been the parents’ choice, but they didn’t fight them—especially if the son or daughter had a wish to go to college or be a doctor or dentist.
But for the kinner who left in the middle of the night with nothing but a few dollars in their pockets and fear in their hearts? Well, rumors abounded about the trouble that befell them and the things that could happen. For a boy to leave with so little and become so successful was impressive. “I wonder what he does.”
“I couldn’t guess. You’ll have to ask Jonny if you want to know more, dear.”
“I couldn’t.” He already knew she was watching for him every morning. What would he do if she started asking him personal questions about his father?
Aunt Ruth studied her for a moment. “Maybe you could, maybe you couldn’t. But if Matthew was here with Jonny, then they must be close, jah ? There’s nothing wrong with being interested in one’s family. One can’t escape one’s roots, you know.”
“You might have a point.”
“Ack, Treva. Relax and try not to worry so much. Whatever the Lord means to happen will happen.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
Looking pleased, she nodded. “It is easy. I’ve been having a good life. The Lord has been good to me.” Reaching for Treva’s hand, she squeezed. “He’s been good to you, too, love. Keep the faith, all right?”
“All right.”
“ Gut . Now, get on out of here and enjoy the day.”
Taking off her own apron, Treva decided to do just that. She needed to take a long walk and maybe curl up for an hour or two with a good book.
Anything to get her mind to take a break.
Anything to stop thinking about Jonny Schrock.