An Unexpected Amish Proposal Read online

  Nick’s chest swelled, and he started toward Russell. “Take that back.”

  Gideon slipped between the two men. “It’s all right, Nick. We all know Fern. Russell never would have said that if he knew her.”

  Shooting a nasty glare at Gideon’s back, Russell retreated.

  “The market will be opening soon,” Mose reminded everyone. “We should get ready.”

  They all headed back to their stands. All except Fern and Gideon.

  * * *

  Gideon gulped. Why had he said he wanted to talk to Fern? Now they’d become the center of attention. Even worse, he hadn’t planned what he intended to say.

  She looked up at him expectantly.

  “Um, this weekend I was thinking about you.” Great, Gideon.

  That’s not what he meant to say, although for some odd reason, she had figured in his dreams.

  Fern’s eyes widened.

  “I mean all of you.” He waved a hand to indicate the other four stands. So why didn’t I say I wanted to talk to everyone? That would have made more sense.

  “Oh.”

  Did she look disappointed? Or was that his imagination?

  He needed to be clear he had a business proposition. “It really bothers me that Mose and the rest of you will be losing your stands shortly.”

  “Not for another two months,” Fern corrected. “I don’t know if you heard Russell, but he’s changed his mind.”

  “I heard,” Gideon said dryly. He’d come to make sure Russell didn’t mention who’d paid the rent. Gideon should have known Russell would claim the credit. Not that Gideon cared.

  Fern had her eyes fixed on him. He needed to keep his mind on the conversation. Although thinking about Russell was preferable to thinking about Fern. Something about her twisted his mind into a muddled mess.

  Gideon forced his attention back to the conversation. “Two months isn’t long, but I hope it’ll give everyone time to find a new place.”

  “It’ll help. I didn’t find any spots at the markets in this area.” Her eyes sad, Fern glanced at the other stands. “I checked all the closest markets for everyone.”

  Of course she did. She always thought about others. Gideon had always admired that about her. Even when she stood in line at his counter, she motioned for elderly customers and mothers with young children to go ahead of her.

  “Sorry to hear that,” Gideon said. “No openings at all?”

  “The only opening I found is a tentative one six months from now. Autumn and Peggy are looking into it. I hope it works out for them.”

  “I do too.” Over the weekend, he’d realized he had another way to help them after he expanded his business. “I’m taking over the space next to me when the craft business there closes at the end of the month. I’ve decided to add full meals, including salads, desserts, and drinks.”

  “That’s nice. It should bring in more customers.” Fern sounded kind but not enthusiastic.

  Did she think he was bragging about his business when she was about to lose hers? He wasn’t doing a good job of explaining this. “I had an idea for you and Mose. Possibly Nick.”

  Now she looked close to tears. “You’ll need more people to wait on customers?”

  He hadn’t thought about that yet. The added business might be too much for him and his sister Caroline. Maybe his sister-in-law Nettie could help. Mamm would be happy to watch Nettie’s little ones. But was Fern hinting at getting a job at his stand?

  “I, um, hadn’t really planned that part yet.”

  “I see. When you mentioned Mose, Nick, and me, I thought you meant for us to work for you.”

  “I did.” Gideon smiled. She’d given him the perfect lead-in. “Not to work at the stand, but to work for me.”

  Her brows drew together. “Isn’t that the same thing?”

  “No. Here’s what I meant.”

  Customers were flowing through the door. He had to explain before her stand got backed up with buyers.

  “Would you be willing to sell me the desserts I need? And I want to buy Mose’s produce for the salads. But everything needs to be organic. Well, except for Nick’s candy, but most people make exceptions for that.”

  “I could do that. I’ll need to talk to Daed, but it might be a good solution.”

  Gideon pointed to the line at her counter. “Looks like you have a lot of people eager to taste your baking.”

  A few young children peered into the case, drooling over the cupcakes and pastries. Behind them, several adults had lined up.

  “I’ll let you go now, but I’ll be back to talk to the three of you after we close today.”

  The smile Fern flashed at him brightened even the dreary, gray day seeping in from outside the doors. He offered a tentative smile in return but spun around before he met her eyes. He’d better not take any chances.

  * * *

  Fern stared after Gideon’s retreating back. She and Daed would have to figure out if working with Gideon would be profitable. Buying organic ingredients was costly. And he’d expect a wholesale discount.

  But if she didn’t have to pay shop rent, the money they took in might work out to a similar amount. They didn’t have any other options nearby, so it could be their best opportunity.

  Fern pushed away the frisson of excitement shooting through her at the thought of being around Gideon. That was a perk she hadn’t listed, but spending more time with him definitely added to the attraction of the idea. She forced herself to concentrate on her customers, and the day flew by.

  Just after closing, Gideon strode over. “Can you stay for a short while? I’ll check with Nick and Mose.”

  Before she could nod, Gideon brushed past her stand to catch Mose, who was already heading to the exit. “Mose, wait,” he called.

  The old man stopped and looked over his shoulder.

  “Can I talk to you over here?”

  With a sigh, Mose circled back and hobbled toward Fern’s stand. Gideon headed for Nick’s stand and returned a few minutes later with the glowering candy seller.

  All three of them stared at Gideon, who shuffled on the cement floor as if nervous or uncertain.

  “I had an idea I wanted to run past all of you. I’ll be expanding my stand over the next few months. If you can’t find another place to sell, I wondered if you’d like to sell your goods to me.”

  Nick frowned. “I’m not giving up my candy business or selling my products at a loss.”

  “I didn’t mean for you to do that. I was thinking I could give you the end of my counter space for your candy. It wouldn’t be as large as your stand now, but—”

  “What’s it going to cost me?” Nick demanded.

  Gideon smiled at him. “Whatever you think is fair.”

  Fern stared at him. Didn’t he worry Nick would try to cheat him? Evidently not, from his easygoing attitude.

  Gideon turned to Mose. “I’ll pay you the regular price for your produce, if that’s all right.”

  Mose shook his head.

  Fern was as surprised as Gideon. She’d expected Mose to accept such a generous offer.

  “How much more were you thinking?” Gideon asked in gentle voice.

  “Neh, neh.” Mose’s head-shaking grew more agitated. “I can’t let you pay full price. That wouldn’t be right.”

  “I’m planning to add complete meals at my stand. If I sell your produce as salads or bake your potatoes, I can make enough to cover my costs.”

  “If you’re sure,” Mose said hesitantly.

  “I’m certain,” Gideon answered.

  “That would be a blessing.” Mose’s eyes watered a little. “Ever since Russell announced the rent increase, I’ve been worried about taking care of my wife. Without the stand rental, I should make enough to cover what she needs.”

  Fern blinked back her own tears as Mose headed for the door with a tiny spring in his shuffling gait. “You’ve made such a difference in his life.” She turned appreciative eyes to Gideon.

  Their gazes met in a zing of electricity. And Fern couldn’t look away.

  Behind them, Nick cleared his throat. “I need to close down. I’ll leave you two to your, um, conversation.”

  As Nick hustled off, Gideon’s eyes grew shuttered and cold. In a clipped, businesslike voice, he asked, “Would it work for you to make desserts for my stand? I thought your cakes might be best. Oh, and rolls to serve with the meals.”

  Fern concentrated on a stained spot on the floor and worked to keep her words steady. “I’ll have to check with Daed.”

  “Of course. And like I told Mose, I’ll pay your usual prices.”

  “But you need to make money.”

  “I will. If I cut a cake into eight or ten slices, I can get double or triple what I pay you.”

  Fern pinched her lips shut before she pointed out he hadn’t accounted for overhead and paying employees and—She didn’t want to criticize him. Not after he’d been so generous to Mose. Besides, he’d been in business for a long time, so he must know what he was doing. Still, she’d talk it over with Daed, and they’d figure out a fair price for themselves and for Gideon.

  “Think about it and let me know,” Gideon said before he headed off.

  Fern remained rooted where she stood, her gaze fixed on his retreating back. He’d come up with an ideal plan, one that would benefit Mose, who grew his produce in his own garden and didn’t use chemical products. And all Nick had to do was transfer his candy containers to Gideon’s stand, and whatever deal they worked out—a cut of the profits or renting the space—Nick wouldn’t be paying triple stand rent. The extra sales and customers would also benefit Gideon’s expanded business.

  The plan seemed to be good for everyone. Except maybe her. It would definitely benefit her moneywise.
But if she had to interact with Gideon four days a week, could she keep her interest in him hidden? That would be a major challenge.

  Chapter Four

  After supper that evening, Gideon closed himself in the small room off the kitchen that served as his office. Mamm’s cheerful voice penetrated the walls, along with Nettie’s softer answers.

  His sister-in-law had moved in with them after Thomas’s death two years ago. Ever since then, she and Mamm had shared the cooking and cleanup. Mamm appreciated the company, and being with the family helped ease some of Nettie’s loneliness and sorrow.

  As much as Gideon loved having his nieces and nephews gathered around the table, it provided a daily reminder of not only Thomas’s absence but also the weight of Gideon’s responsibility. He’d taken on the task of caring for Nettie and the children. Over the past few days, he’d let concern for others blind him to those duties.

  With a sigh, Gideon pulled out his account book. He’d taken a huge check in to Russell that morning and then offered to take on the other sellers’ candy, produce, and baked goods. A lovely face imposed itself over the mental image of rolls and cakes. He shook his head. Doing this might not be a wise business decision. But how could he let Fern and the others lose their income?

  He couldn’t. Not if he could afford to help them. But it meant giving up some of his goals. He’d dipped into the cushion of savings he kept for emergencies. Plus, paying for the other sellers’ products would cut into the amount he’d hoped to pay on Thomas’s loans.

  After all the times their father had drummed into them to avoid loans and pay outright for whatever they bought, Gideon still couldn’t believe Thomas had been drowning in debt.

  His brother’s last words haunted Gideon. Thomas had been filled with guilt . . .

  Pulling his thoughts from that horrible memory, Gideon checked the figures in the accounting ledger. On a piece of scrap paper, he tried to estimate how much Fern and Mose earned each week. He made a wild guess about Mose’s income, but he’d paid closer attention to Fern’s business than he’d realized.

  His interest had been in more than her delicious cinnamon buns. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and imagined crunching through the thin, crisp outer crust. The soft, cushiony dough melted in his mouth, along with the sugary sweet icing and the tang of cinnamon.

  He sat up abruptly. It would be a shame for customers to lose the opportunity to purchase that delicious treat, a market favorite. Gideon would miss them too. Fern had never known how addicted he was to them, because he sent his younger sister or his niece to purchase them, but he’d been one of the first purchasers every morning the market was open.

  Most mornings, barbecued chicken sales really didn’t start until after ten. Few people bought chicken for breakfast. But he could drive more customers to his stand in the early morning hours if he offered some of Fern’s cinnamon rolls, along with milk and juice.

  He’d have to be careful he didn’t eat all the profits, but it would give Fern a chance to sell more of her baked goods. If he also paid full price for the sticky buns and breakfast pastries, though, he’d have to mark them up. Most customers would be willing to pay extra for organic. At least he hoped they would. He’d pay whatever Fern asked.

  A soft tap on the door interrupted his planning. “Come in,” he called.

  Nettie stuck her head in the door. “I’m making tea for your mamm and daed. Would you like some?”

  Gideon had no desire for tea, but if he refused, Nettie would be hurt. “Danke.”

  She shot him a smile and closed the door. He sighed inwardly.

  Knowing Nettie, she’d already put the water on to boil, so he wouldn’t have time to do more bookwork tonight. He crumpled the papers with his scribbled figures and tossed them into the trash can beside the desk. Then he slid the account book into the drawer.

  He’d already paid the deposit for his stand expansion, and he’d set aside the rest of the money for that bill. He’d make little, if any, profit on the new items he planned to add to the menu, and he’d be saddled with Thomas’s loans for years, but he’d helped others. And that was more important.

  “Gideon?” Nettie called softly.

  He jumped to his feet and opened the door. She balanced a tray with four teacups. He took one and followed her into the living room.

  “You left very early this morning, sohn,” Daed said as he selected a cup from Nettie’s tray. “Is everything all right?”

  Gideon didn’t usually shut himself into the office in the evenings either. “Everything’s fine. I had some business with Russell this morning.” Although Daed would encourage helping others, Gideon kept that morning’s payment a secret. Just like he’d kept Thomas’s debts—and other things—from his family. He didn’t want Daed to worry.

  “The stand expansion will start next week, and I’ve found some people to supply desserts and salads.”

  “Gut, gut. You’ve made some smart decisions since”—Daed swallowed hard—“you took over.” With a rueful smile, he added, “Although I must say, Thomas’s idea to sell organic made the expansion possible.”

  Cringing inside, Gideon managed a nod. If only Daed knew what Thomas’s decisions had cost the business, himself, and all of them.

  * * *

  Tonight, Fern didn’t plan to wait until after supper to mention the day’s news. As soon as they lifted their heads following the silent prayer, she started to tell her parents about Gideon’s offer. His generosity might erase the worry lines around her mother’s eyes.

  Before she could speak, though, Mamm lifted an envelope beside her plate. “We got a letter from Aaron today.”

  Daed stopped with his soup spoon halfway to his mouth and beamed. “What did he have to say?”

  Mamm pulled out a folded page and smoothed it beside her plate. “Over the past two weeks, he’s worked nonstop, and they’ve helped twenty families repair or replace their homes.”

  “That’s wunderbar.” Daed’s smile grew even broader. “I’m so glad Aaron decided to stay with the mission full-time. And if he’s that busy, he won’t have time to get into trouble.”

  “Jah, that’s true. We can praise God for that.” A frown creased Mamm’s brow. “But he needs more money.”

  Daed’s forehead wrinkled to match Mamm’s. “Already? How much this time?”

  Mamm sighed heavily and quoted a figure.

  “That’s almost double what we’ve been sending. Are you sure?” Daed held out a hand for the letter and skimmed it. “They need a lot more money for the project.” He sighed.

  “I wish my meeting with Russell this morning had gone better. He won’t budge on the rent.”

  Shooting a furtive glance at Fern, Mamm shook her head. “Perhaps I should have waited to share this.”

  “It’s all right,” Fern assured them. “Maybe today’s news will help.”

  Both of her parents turned toward her.

  “First of all, Russell gave all five of us two more months at the regular rate.”

  Daed’s pained expression eased. “That will help. I talked to your onkel this afternoon, and he agreed to check at the Maryland farmer’s market for any openings with other stand owners. You won’t make nearly as much as you do here, but it’s better than nothing.”

  If Gideon’s offer worked out, Fern could stay in Lancaster County and avoid piling into a van with her cousins at five in the morning to drive out of state. And although she had experience, working in someone else’s stand meant a low hourly wage. It certainly wouldn’t cover Aaron’s expenses, let alone theirs.

  She continued, “After Russell left, Gideon Hartzler talked to three of us. He’s expanding his chicken stand to sell full meals. He offered to buy Mose’s produce at the regular price.”

  “No discount?” Daed squinted one eye, making it clear he didn’t think much of Gideon’s business sense.

  “He claims he’ll make money by turning it into salads or selling baked potatoes.”

  “Hmm.” Her father stroked his beard. “I suppose he will, but it won’t be a very big profit.”

  Fern suspected Gideon had done it out of the goodness of his heart. “I think he’s trying to help Mose make enough to pay for his wife’s prescriptions.”

  “That’s kind of him,” Mamm said.

  “Jah, he seems to have a giving heart.” Had Gideon offered to buy her baked goods because he felt sorry for her?