Annie's Recipe Page 7

  “Really?”

  Lizzie responded with an immediate nod. “William’s doing well with his cabinet shop and Rebecca helps with the bookwork and does her own projects.”

  Annie looked at her to continue.

  “She started her own dried floral business. She’s in to wreaths and such.”

  Annie considered the news. “That doesn’t surprise me. Now that you mention it, I remember when she used to make a big thing about gardening. She loved it. And her yard was always a showpiece.”

  “I remember when out-of-towners drove by her folks’ house to catch a look at the beautiful flower garden in front.”

  Annie smiled a little. “I had no idea she’d made her hobby into a livelihood. Gut for her!”

  “I guess she decided to do it when she spent the summer away, helping William’s dad. She did a lot of thinking and praying and . . .” Lizzie raised her palms to the sky. “She made the decision. The girl even grows her own plants for the wreaths.”

  Annie had always been fond of Rebecca. Her sister’s good friend was so kind, and there was something about her generosity that made you want to be around her.

  Annie pressed her lips together in uncertainty at the thought of Rebecca following her heart. No doubt Mrs. Conrad would excel at whatever she pursued. Rebecca was . . . perfection. Annie had always envied the way she did everything right.

  But it hadn’t always been easy for Rebecca or her family. Not that long ago, Rebecca had started the community buzzing when she traveled to Indiana to help William’s shunned father. In fact, Annie recalled hearing rumors about Rebecca and William leaving the community to join his folks. But gossip had been just that. It was ridiculous. William and Rebecca had come back, just as they’d promised, and joined the church.

  Annie knew what it was like to have a dream. She yearned for a large family. Lots of daughters. She longed to teach them to make light, tasty sponge cakes. And to quilt. And to live at Pebble Creek.

  She wanted a cat. Like the one she and Levi had shared. A nice, new house near her parents. But the image in her mind missed one piece: a man. So far, she hadn’t even courted. To her knowledge, no eligible bachelor within ten miles of town was interested in her. And vice versa.

  During the long silence that ensued between the sisters, she allowed her hopeful thoughts to drift to the many bags of noodles they would auction to raise money for the new school desks and books. The school where Annie now taught.

  This past summer, Annie had sold produce roadside in hopes of making extra cash. Because of the special project for the children, she was willing to sacrifice having personal money. Hopefully, she’d have enough left over to buy material for a new dress this winter. And, with good fortune, the weather would be nice, so there’d be a great turnout.

  “I was surprised Levi Miller was there.”

  The unexpected comment prompted Annie to drop a piece of dough. While she bent to retrieve it, her pulse quickened, but she certainly tried not to show it. It would fuel the fire around her about staying away from her “English” friend. Thinking of a way to change the subject, she continued cutting dough and hanging the strands on the line.

  Finally, she forced a disinterested tone. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know she hadn’t thought of anything but Levi since the wedding. “Why?” she finally got out. “He’s Jeremiah’s first cousin.”

  “Of course he is. But his dad was shunned. I just figured we’d never see them again. I had written him off.”

  Pretending she didn’t care, Annie kept her tone distant. “I’m glad he came. Besides, Levi was never shunned, only his father.” Annie couldn’t stop the words that followed. “And I never did think what happened to him was fair.”

  “Annie!”

  Lizzie’s raised voice prompted Annie to drop another string of pasta. “See what you did, Lizzie? Now I’ve wasted this good piece,” she harrumphed.

  “Sorry. Annie . . .” Elizabeth lowered her voice to a more confidential tone. “You know how important it is to follow the rules. And as far as Levi . . . I couldn’t help but notice the two of you talking. Or the way you looked at each other. Something told me you’d be wanting him to come.”

  Annie pressed her lips together and remembered his warm smile when they had become reacquainted. She didn’t respond to Lizzie’s observation.

  “He’s turned into such a handsome man.” Lizzie rolled her eyes and added, “It’s no secret you two used to be inseparable. Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you followed him around when we were children.”

  Annie crossed defensive arms across her chest and lifted her chin. “I did not follow him around.” She paused. “He’s older than me and I always sort of looked up to him.”

  “And I understand why. He did watch out for you. As I recall, he even covered for you once when you were late getting to school.”

  They giggled.

  Lizzie continued. “He was big for his age. He and William Conrad.”

  Annie smiled a little. “I remember watching them carry bales of hay from the pasture and into the barn.”

  Lizzie grinned. “Couldn’t count on both my hands the number of times you weren’t on time for dinner ’cause you and Levi were out doing something.” Lizzie paused. “Of course you always had a tendency to run behind.”

  Annie couldn’t argue with that. She’d been scolded more times than she wanted to remember for tardiness. But she was older now. She tried to do better.

  Her mind was flooded with memories of her childhood best friend. The recollections prompted her heart to warm. But the last thing Annie wanted to talk about was Levi. Why wouldn’t she be fond of him? At the same time, she wished she didn’t want to spend time with him. After all, he was English. And her life would be empty when he returned to his world.

  “That was a long time ago, Lizzie. We were kids. Now things are different. But I was glad to see him. And we caught up a bit.” She gave a casual shrug of her shoulders, as if she hadn’t thought of him since. She’d been cheated out of ten years of a great friendship because of his dad’s actions and her church’s response.

  Annie was fully aware of how strict the rules were. But the shunning hadn’t benefited John Miller. Or his family. Or the Amish faith. God was all about forgiveness. And no one was perfect. Shouldn’t they have talked it out and welcomed him back with open arms? Shouldn’t there have been another way to chastise Levi’s dad without shunning him? It seemed so drastic.

  “Annie?” Her sister grinned in amusement.

  “What?”

  “I caught you looking over at him. And,” she added, “I saw him staring at you.”

  Annie stopped what she was doing. “He was?” Suddenly, the blood rushed to Annie’s face in embarrassment. Lizzie had gotten the best of her. Annie knew better than to set her sights on Levi. And she wouldn’t. Besides, Lizzie was nosy. Annie wished she hadn’t shown any interest. Now it was time to nix any curiosity Lizzie had about Levi.

  “You want to know something?”

  Annie waited.

  “Talk is that David Stutzman wants to court you.”

  Annie’s brows drew together in a frown. “Now where’d you hear that?”

  “At the singing last week.”

  Annie considered this development. She liked David very much. She didn’t know him well, but he was nice. His parents were well-respected farmers who owned a lot of cattle and specialized in dairy. David was two years older than her. He was . . . jovial.

  “Annie, the family’s honest and hardworking. There’s no better man in town than his father. And word has it that David’s just like him.”

  Annie gave a dismissive shrug. “He seems shy.”

  Lizzie raised her voice. “Annie, he’s not. Oh . . .” She stopped herself.

  “What were you going to say?”

  Lizzie’s voice was edged with uncertainty. “Maybe he’s just bashful around you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

&nbs
p; “It’s just that . . . sometimes . . .” She took a decisive breath and met Annie’s defensive gaze. “I imagine boys might be a little intimidated by your directness. I mean, maybe you shouldn’t say so much? Other girls aren’t quite so . . . verbal. I know you don’t mean to scare boys off.”

  Annie squared her shoulders and took in her sister’s uncertain expression. “Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Why on earth would I hide what I’m feeling? I don’t want to be anything other than straight to the point. Still, I don’t know how I could scare anyone off.” She shook her head in dismay. “And if a man’s afraid of me ’cause I speak my mind, maybe he’s not enough for me.”

  Lizzie’s eyes doubled in size.

  “I’m serious. I don’t know what my future holds, but I am sure of this: whoever spends his life with me will have to take me the way I am. And if I don’t marry?” She lifted her palms to the ceiling. “So be it. I want someone who likes me for me. Nothing less.”

  Chapter Five

  The next day, the sun moved across the sky and hid behind a large puffy cloud. Levi blinked as it quickly reappeared. He sensed Annie was coming. They hadn’t made plans, yet he was sure she would join him here. He smiled a little when he glimpsed her making her way to the edge of Pebble Creek.

  Levi’s pulse picked up speed as he thought of her large, hopeful eyes that were the most extraordinary shade of blue. Their depth was so beautiful, they were almost magical. Flecks of a much lighter, gentler hue danced on her pupils when she looked at him.

  He silently chastised himself, then wondered why. What I’m feeling surely can’t be unusual for a man to feel toward a woman. Even if I were still Amish, I don’t know what could stop my heart from racing. But why am I compelled to see her again? I know better. I’m fully aware I’m approaching a seemingly impossible situation. When we were young nothing could have separated us.

  But something had—the shunning—and that act, which neither of them had been involved in, had formed an invisible wall between them. Forever. At the same time, when he was with Annie, he felt so . . . important. She listened to everything he said. Nothing he broached wasn’t worth talking about. For some reason, when he was with Annie, he was home.

  He tapped the toe of his shoe against the hard earth to a nervous beat, trying to make sense of what drew him to her. What he did know with clear certainty was that when he was with Annie, his heart pumped a little harder than usual. And his level of happiness was uncharted territory.

  “Hello.” Her voice was breathless and soft. When her lips lifted into a generous smile, he grinned back, taking the basket she handed him. “I brought some snacks.”

  “How did you know I’d be here?”

  When she giggled, her cheeks deepened in color. “I just knew. Because this is your favorite place in the world. And I’m glad we have more time together. To catch up,” she added. “What’s funny is . . .” She caught her breath. “In a way, I feel like we’re still kids.” She pulled in a deep, decisive breath. “You’re the same old Levi I chummed around with.” She gestured with her hands. “When we were little, you dreamed about building a home here. You still think about it?”

  He bit his lip in frustration. He knew better than to become too much at ease with Annie. Here, at his favorite spot in the world. Just because they were at Pebble Creek, the place they’d spent afternoons together sharing those dreams, didn’t mean they could just pick up where they’d left off. Circumstances had changed. Though their friendship was as strong as ever, they were different. Her lifestyle was miles away from his.

  She frowned. “What’s wrong? You want to talk about it?”

  As they walked uphill along the creek, Levi gave careful consideration to her question. His thoughts should be no surprise to her. After all, she knew the rules like the back of her hand. And she knew him. Even after years of separation. As he thought of a response, gentle gurgling sounds from the flowing water cascading over the pebblelike rocks echoed throughout the mesmerizing parcel of land. Above, the sun and the clouds didn’t budge. There was no breeze. Utter stillness. It was as if nature was taking a break.

  Salty tears stung his eyes. He blinked. “I love this land.” He gazed at the creek. “The very water that separates this vacant spot from your home.”

  She cleared her throat. “Levi, I wish you’d come back to live here.”

  As soon as she made her confession, he could tell she regretted saying it. But her directness was what he liked about her. One of the things, anyway.

  He smiled, but didn’t respond. “I’ve always respected your honesty. I never have to guess where you’re coming from.”

  “I get that all the time; that I should be more like my older sister.”

  He frowned. “That’s nonsense. Why would you want to be like her?”

  “To please Mamma. I don’t want to disappoint her. Or Lizzie.” A laugh escaped her. “I think they’re afraid of me being a spinster.”

  “A spinster? I doubt you’ll have to worry about that. I’m sure if the boys are shy around you it’s because you’re so pretty.”

  Her cheeks reddened. “Really?”

  “Surely that doesn’t surprise you. And you are a bit more direct than other Amish girls your age, but you know what?”

  She looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

  “That’s what makes you special.”

  “Jah?”

  He gave a slow but sure nod, taking in the happy light that danced in her eyes. As they continued walking in silence, he thought of something for the first time. Like her, he was straightforward. Both of them were open books really. Maybe that was why they got along so well. And he didn’t regret for a moment what he’d just said. He wanted to make sure Annie knew just how he felt. That she was unique. Until now, he hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed this special friendship. Accepting how important she was, he eyed her from his peripheral vision, his lips parted. Right here at his fingertips was everything he could ever dream of having. His heart skipped a beat. All of it had been taken away by one single act.

  At the top of the hill, they stopped and sat down on the stones that had been there for over ten years. With one careful motion, Levi set the basket between them, trying to shrug off what had become obvious to him. The reality was that everything was the same, yet everything was different.

  Directing his attention to the beautiful girl beside him, he focused on the contents of her small wicker basket. “Hmm. I wonder what’s in it.”

  She grinned. “It’s a surprise. But I’ll give you a hint. It’s your favorite snack. At least, it used to be.” She opened the lid and pulled out two sponge cakes wrapped in plastic. She handed him a napkin with one of the treats and retrieved the other cake and napkin for herself.

  “You’re the best cook around, I’m sure.”

  She laughed. “You’re just being nice.”

  “No; I mean it. Maybe I’ve just forgotten how good these taste. In fact, if my memory’s up to par, the last one I ate was with you, right here on our spot by Pebble Creek.”

  They talked while they ate. “If you’ll recall, you’re the one who came up with the name.”

  “Pebble Creek?”

  She lifted her chin. While she chewed, he took in the creaminess of her skin, firmly reminding himself that any romantic interest in her was strictly forbidden from her side yet, to his dismay, it existed on his part. That silent admission made him stiffen. What was wrong with him?

  “I remember now. About Pebble Creek. We were walking and laughing, like today. Throwing rocks into the water and watching it splatter.” She inhaled, as if taking a break. “Anyway, we decided no matter what the name of the creek really was, to us it would always be Pebble Creek.”

  He snapped his fingers. “Yup.”

  “I don’t know where all the pebbles came from. But today . . .” She waved a hand toward the narrow, shallow body of water. “The pebbles remind me that this must be the most beautiful creek in the worl
d. And the most peaceful.”

  “I’ve missed you, Annie.”

  “I’ve missed you, too. Levi, please promise me you’ll never leave.” Before he could reply, she added, “Please.”

  He laughed. Not because of what she was asking but because of the direct, honest way in which she said it. And he believed that was what truly made her different from any other girl he had ever met.

  She pleaded. “Stay. Levi, you can still build a house right here.” She dropped her hand to her side. “You love this place. Nothing’s stopping you.”

  Levi frowned. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint his one true friend. But what she was asking . . . he couldn’t ignore it. He had to admit to himself and explain to her that he could never move back because of the hard feelings he still had. What she’d asked deserved an answer. “Annie, when we were young, things were simple.”

  “They still are. Levi, you don’t have some terrible illness. Neither do I. When you put things into perspective, the world’s at our doorstep. Will we face obstacles?” Before he could respond, she answered her own question. “Of course. But we can create our own outcomes. Don’t you agree?”

  He laughed at her logic. “You might have a point. About the shunning . . . you’re right, Annie. It wasn’t life threatening. And my family came out of it just fine. But at the time, and for a long time after it happened, it was so painful . . . I mean, it changed our family forever. I could never pretend it didn’t happen. Besides, my lifestyle . . .”

  She shook her head in protest. “Levi, I don’t care. We’ll figure something out. I know we can. I’ll help you. You know what they say about there being a way if there’s a will?” She lowered the timbre of her voice to a heart-felt plea. Before he could answer, she jumped in again. “You’re my best friend. Forever.” She quickly added, “Besides Old Sam.”

  Her admission pulled at his heartstrings. He squared his shoulders and straightened his back. He couldn’t let emotions get the better of him. No matter how much Annie wanted him to stay, he couldn’t. He forced a smile. “How’s Sam doing? Does he still make those hope chests?”