Rachaels decision, p.1
Rachael's Decision, page 1
STARTING OVER
Rachael pushed the heart cookie cutter into the dough. She loved Caleb, and no other man would measure up to him. She had prayed enough to know God was telling her to trust Caleb. God had pricked her conscience and shown her through the Scriptures in the Bible that she had been wrong.
Magdelena gave her a mischievous grin. “You have a visitor. I’ll leave you two alone to talk.”
“Danki, Magdelena.” Caleb came to her side and passed her the flowers. “These are for you.”
She was impressed he’d put them in a Mason jar with water. “I’ll set them on the counter, where I can look at them while I work. They’re beautiful. Danki. I should wait until I’m not up to my elbows in flour and dough, but I have waited long enough. Caleb, I’m sorry for all I’ve put you through. Will you forgive me?”
“Yes. Rachael, I’ve never stopped loving you, and I mean what I said. You are the bride for me . . .”
Books by Molly Jebber
The Keepsake Pocket Quilt series
CHANGE OF HEART
GRACE’S FORGIVENESS
TWO SUITORS FOR ANNA
The Amish Charm Bakery series
LIZA’S SECOND CHANCE
ELLIE’S REDEMPTION
HANNAH’S COURAGE
MARYANN’S HOPE
MAGDELENA’S CHOICE
RACHAEL’S DECISION
Collections
THE AMISH CHRISTMAS SLEIGH
(with Kelly Long and Amy Lillard)
AMISH BRIDES
(with Jennifer Beckstrand and Amy Lillard)
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Rachael’s Decision
MOLLY JEBBER
ZEBRA BOOKS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
STARTING OVER
Also by
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
GLOSSARY PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH/GERMAN TO ENGLISH
RECIPES
ZEBRA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2023 by Molly Jebber
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-1-4201-5071-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-5072-8 (eBook)
Misty and Kevin Campbell
The best daughter and son-in-law I could ask for.
Thank you to:
Ed, my wonderful husband and soul mate, for your encouragement.
Dawn Dowdle, agent, and John Scognamiglio, editor-in-chief, for their support, kindness, and guidance. I’m grateful for you both.
Mitch Morris, the best brother, friend, encourager, and someone I admire.
Sue Morris, my mother, a beautiful, elegant, and amazing woman.
To Mary Byrnes, Lee Granza, Elaine Saltzgaver, Debbie Bugezia, Nancy Wimsatt, Connie Melaik, Barbara Visco, Mary Salan, Doris Kerr, Debbie Casto, Donna Snyder, Melanie Fogel, Peggy Barton,Kelly Hildreth, Linda Schultz, Lynn Smith, Debra Bledsoe, Beverly Hancock, Marcia Appel, Cyndee Perkins, Peggy Barton, Sigrid Davies, Shirley Madden, Darla Landren, and my other Southbridge, quilt group, and church friends. You know who you are and how much you mean to me.
Bob and Margie Saenz—Thank you for your friendship, encouragement, and support.
Aunt Sharon Sanders, Beth Sanders, and Aunt Sheila Walters for their support, love, and memories.
Patricia Campbell—My very wise writing mentor and close friend I love and admire.
Marie Coutu and Southwest Florida Romance Writers’ group for your advice, love, and friendship.
To Connie Lynch, you are such a blessing in my life. I appreciate your friendship so much.
To Marilyn Ridgway and Carolyn Ridgway—I treasure your friendship and you’ve lifted me up more times than I can count! You’re such a blessing!
To Sandra Barela, Celebratelit.com—Thank you for your friendship, advice, and encouragement!
To my readers—I couldn’t do this without your encouragement and support. Thank you so much.
Chapter 1
April 1, 1915
Charm, Ohio
Rachael Schlabach served vanilla cake with white frosting to Nathan Wagler and his two kinner. She cut a slice for herself and sat at the Waglers’ round kitchen table on Thursday evening.
“I love this cake, Mamm.” Joy giggled and scooped icing onto her finger and licked it.
Rachael froze. She was used to the six-year-old saying whatever came to mind, but this was the first time she’d called her mamm. She’d helped with Nathan’s late fraa Katherine’s funeral eight months ago. She’d gone to the Waglers’ home and washed clothes, cooked evening meals, and cared for Joy and Thad after work most nights since then. Their daed still mourned Katherine’s death, and he spoke about her often. She considered Nathan a close friend, but would their friendship ever grow into something more?
Nathan cleared his throat. “Rachael is our special friend. You should call her by her given name. Your mamm is in Heaven.”
Thad, at eight, was wise beyond his age. He crossed his skinny arms. “Peter calls Liza Mamm and his real mamm is in Heaven. Mamm wouldn’t mind. She would have liked Rachael.”
Rachael didn’t want this awkwardness to linger. It had been two weeks since he’d asked her to give Katherine’s clothes and things to the Amish who could use them. She’d kept handkerchiefs, a bonnet, and a brush and comb for Joy when she was older. She would try to help them understand. “Liza married Jacob and they adopted Peter. Liza is his stepmamm, but they’ve agreed he can call her Mamm. I’m your neighbor and friend who loves you both. I’m here to lend a helping hand for a while. You should call me Rachael. I love you no matter what.”
Nathan stood and carried dirty plates to the sink. “I’ll wash.”
“Don’t worry about the dishes. Go to your sitting room. The kinner and I will clean up, like always.”
Thad dragged Joy’s wooden stool covered in crayon marks to the sink for her to stand on.
Rachael waved Nathan out of the large kitchen, with twice as many cabinets as she and Mamm had at home. “You go relax. We’ll be fine.” She was relieved when he headed to his sitting room and put an end to the conversation. She would like him to ask for a private conversation to discuss if and when he would court her. But she was patient. Did she really want him to ask? It would be a risk. Their friendship wasn’t guaranteed to blossom into love. But she loved the kinner. She could envision herself being their mamm, and they would be worth maybe never falling in love with Nathan.
She limped to the sink and washed and dried the china dishes with a red apple in the center of each one. She admired the unique design. She allowed the kinner to help her and then worked a puzzle with Joy and Thad in the sitting room while Nathan read his Bible. A half hour later, she bid them all a good night. She drove the short distance to her farm next door and went inside. Mamm had already gone to bed. What would she do if Nathan pursued her? Maybe she didn’t need to ponder it. He might not find her attractive. Should she back away from the Wagler family? It was too late. Her heart would break not being around the kinner. She prayed to God for guidance.
* * *
Rachael overslept Friday morning. She dressed and kissed Mamm’s cheek. “I don’t have time for breakfast.”
Mamm passed her a wrapped fried egg biscuit sandwich. “Take this. You need something in your stomach.”
She accepted the sandwich. “Danki.” Then she ran outside, harnessed her mare to the buggy, and drove to the livery. She crossed the wide road, waved to other shop owners unlocking their doors, and entered the bakery. “Good morning, Magdelena. I’m sorry I’m late.” She loved her best friend and schweschder-in-law. Magdelena was perfect for her bruder, Toby. She slipped her apron over her head and tied the strings behind her back. She stood at the big, hardwood, waist-high worktable centered in the room, where they had enough space to create their delicious desserts.
Magdelena grabbed the rolling pin and pushed it back and forth over her dough. “You
“Joy called me Mamm.” She told Magdelena what Thad had said.
“How did you feel about it? Do you want to be their stepmamm someday?” Magdelena stopped rolling her pin and stared at Rachael.
Rachael recounted to Magdelena what she and Nathan told the kinner and how Joy and Thad reacted. “I don’t know where Nathan stands. I may love him, but I’m not in love with him. Not to say I couldn’t fall in love with him, but who knows? It’s not like I’m overrun with suitors knocking on my door. I love the kinner. Any advice?”
“I’m not sure what to tell you. Let’s pray about it together.” Magdelena offered a prayer to God to intervene on Rachael and Nathan’s behalf. To close the door or open it for a courtship.
“Danki, Magdelena.”
For the next two hours, Rachael and Magdelena discussed the Waglers, recipes, and gardening as they baked bread, pies, and cookies to sell.
“I should’ve unlocked the door for customers ten minutes ago.” Magdelena hurried to the front room, where a display case showed their desserts for sale and white metal “ice cream” parlor chairs and tables were available to customers to enjoy their purchases inside the bakery. She unlocked the door.
Rachael slid a tray of molasses cookies onto the glass shelf in the display case. She stood and caught her breath.
A handsome Amish gentleman walked into the bakery. He met her gaze with his big, sky-blue eyes. He was tall, with broad shoulders. She guessed his age close to hers. He didn’t have a beard. He must be unmarried. “Good morning.”
He smiled, and his teeth were white as snow. He tipped his hat, and he had a head full of thick blond hair. He’d probably never go bald. “Good morning, ladies. I’m Caleb Yutzy and I’m new in town. I hope you have cinnamon bread.”
Rachael pressed a hand to her heart. She couldn’t wrench her gaze from his. “I’m Rachael Schlabach. We have a fresh loaf right out of the oven.”
Magdelena waited on the two customers who came in behind Caleb.
“I’d love a loaf and a slice of it right now, if you don’t mind.” Caleb chose a middle table among the other five “ice cream” white-metal chairs and tables in the café area decorated with red tablecloths.
“Would you like coffee or hot chocolate?” Rachael cut a thick slice of bread from the loaf and packaged the rest. Then she limped over to him and served him the warm cinnamon bread with butter and a cup of coffee. What was happening to her? She couldn’t quit staring at this tall, lean-framed man.
He pulled out the other chair at the table. “Will you take a break and join me? I promise to not keep you long.”
Rachael’s heart fluttered, and she hesitated. He was bold, but she didn’t mind.
Magdelena approached them. “She’ll be glad to. I’m Magdelena Schlabach, Rachael’s schweschder-in-law. I overheard you say your name is Caleb Yutzy and you’re new to Charm. Where are you from?”
“Nappanee, Indiana. I moved here with my bruder, Stephen, and his fraa, Frannie, and their boppli, Lily.”
Two women entered the bakery.
“Excuse me. I should take care of these customers. Rachael, take your time.” Magdelena greeted the women and returned to the display case.
Rachael sat at the table with Caleb. She could gaze into those blue eyes all day. “What brought you and your family to Charm?” She wanted to know everything about this man.
“Stephen and his family lived with Frannie’s mamm. When her mamm died, she found it difficult to live with the memories attached to the haus she grew up in. Stephen suggested they sell the haus and move here. He’d passed through Charm a time or two and he was made to feel wilkom. The town made a lasting impression, and he mentioned it to Frannie, and she was in favor of moving here. I sold our parents’ place and came with them.” Caleb sipped his coffee. “Do you have a suitor or husband?”
Rachael’s cheeks warmed. “No. I live with my mamm. Daed died last year. Magdelena married my bruder, Toby, in September, and they live not too far from us. Forgive me. I’m rambling.”
“Please continue. I want to know everything about you.” He winced. “Stephen says I’m too direct sometimes.” He covered his mouth with his hand, then dropped it. “I hope I haven’t offended you.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m not offended.” She wanted to encourage him, but she didn’t want to be too forward.
He finished the last of his bread. “Would you like to kumme to supper tomorrow night at my family’s haus? I’d like for you to meet them, and we could get to know each other better. Give me directions to your haus and I’ll pick you up.”
“Yes. I’d love to meet them.” She gave him directions. “I should get back to baking, but I’m pleased to have met you, and danki for the invitation.” She couldn’t wait to spend more time with him.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He stood and made an exaggerated bow. “I’ll be at your haus at six tomorrow evening.” He bid her good day and left.
Magdelena served a patron coffee and then pulled Rachael aside. “What a handsome fellow, and his interest in you is apparent. Caleb didn’t waste any time finding out if you are unmarried.”
Rachael waggled her forefinger at Magdelena. “Were you listening to our conversation?”
“Of course. The connection between you and him was immediate. You and Caleb couldn’t quit smiling from the time your gazes met. His high cheekbones and square chin with those blue eyes give him a striking face, and he must be a little over six feet tall. If he wasn’t Amish, he could’ve been an actor. He does need some meat on those bones. He needs you to invite him to supper.” She chuckled. “I’m proud of you. You didn’t hesitate to meet his family.”
“I don’t know what came over me. One look at him and I was smitten. I didn’t flinch when he asked me to supper, having just met him. My limp didn’t seem to bother him. I haven’t had any Amish men show interest in me like this for quite a while. With Nathan, I invited myself and pitched in to care for him and the kinner. But our situation is different. He’s lost and mourning his fraa. I didn’t have any expectations where he and I are concerned.”
“You’re giddy about Caleb.”
Rachael grinned. “I’m excited to meet Caleb’s family and talk with him tomorrow night.” She picked up a towel on the counter and gripped it. Joy and Thad might be upset when she told them she had plans and wouldn’t be joining them for supper. This would be a definite break in their routine. Would her plans with Caleb matter to Nathan? She’d break the news to them this evening.
Magdelena beamed. “I’m happy for you, my friend. This could be the beginning of something wonderful for you and Caleb.”
“I hope so.” Rachael’s heart soared.
Magdelena’s dark eyes and coal-black hair, plus her slender frame, usually captured everyone’s attention first. But Caleb had been different. He’d set his gaze on her. She had questions to ask him. What were his likes and dislikes? Had he been in love before? Did he plan on staying in Charm?
At the end of the workday, she drove to Nathan’s haus. He had a wraparound porch in front and a swing she and the kinner liked to sit in. He had cows grazing in the field, and his smokehaus and barn were on one side of the property and the garden was on the other side of the haus. He had a small pond beyond the garden. She liked the layout.
Joy ran to her, holding a picture. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Rachael tied her mare to the hitching post and then held her arms open wide. Joy’s bonnet fell off her head, showing her white-blond curls as she ran into her arms. She was a beauty. She’d have a line of suitors at her door when she was ready to court.
Rachael hugged the child. “What did you draw?”
Joy held her picture high for Rachael. “You, Daed, me, and Thad. Oh, and my barn cats.”
