The Amish Bride by Mindy Starns Clark

Author:Mindy Starns Clark [Clark, Mindy Starns]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736942829
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

The next afternoon, Luke and Eddie were on the tractor and on their way to the field when I headed back down to the bakery after cleaning up from lunch. The little guy waved enthusiastically while Luke just nodded at me.

His shyness was getting a little old. He definitely wasn’t my type. Just being around him made me miss Ezra.

As I turned the corner to the bakery, I saw Penny’s car in the parking lot. She was early. I hurried through the door and found her at the counter, the only customer in the store, buying a blueberry pie.

Millie was boxing up one with the crumb topping, and when I told Penny I had made that one myself, she gushed, “It looks incredible!”

Rosalee said I was free to go, so Penny and I started for South Bend. We zigzagged our way over to Highway 119 and then headed north, running parallel to the train tracks. The day was overcast and was growing more and more dreary as the miles ticked away. We chatted about the bakery.

“It looks like a wonderful place to work,” Penny said. “I’ve always dreamed of owning something like that.”

I shared my idea about marketing the bakery to local restaurants and stores, though I didn’t mention the part about her being our delivery person. She suggested we stop by the cafe on the way home.

“I’m sure Wes and Kendra are approached by all sorts of home-based businesses, but you never know.”

We rode along in silence after that, which made me drowsy, and then I fell asleep. When I awoke we were in South Bend. Penny drove right to the downtown area and then parked the car. Across the street was a sign with a fleur-de-lis on it that read “Petit Paris, Boulangerie and Patisserie.” Underneath in smaller letters was another sign. “Culinary and Baking School, Classes by Pierre Baptiste and Elizabeth Elgin.”

There were a few customers sitting at tables when we entered. The scent of coffee was strong and a hint of cinnamon hung in the air, mixed with the aromas of chocolate and baking bread. A waitress passed us with a bowl of soup in one hand and a salad in the other. The dining room was painted in warm golds and yellows, with a border of brown tiles. The display case was filled with rustic breads and fancy pastries. It was an absolute feast for my eyes.

A middle-aged woman was behind the counter. She wore a white apron, and her hair was covered with a net.

“May I help you?”

“I’m interested in the school.” I held up the packet.

“Oui.” The woman smiled. “I’m Elizabeth. I’m in charge of the culinary school. And Pierre teaches the baking classes.”

“I’m interested in baking,” I said, glancing at Penny.

“Likewise,” she chimed in.

A look of disappointment passed over the woman’s face as she said, “I’ll get Pierre.” She spoke without any hint of an accent and looked more like a regular Midwest mom than a French chef.

She disappeared through a door, and I glanced around again.

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