The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2021-05-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Emory,” Justin called from the doorway that led to the front of the store later that afternoon. “You have a visitor.”

“Who is it?” Emory swiped the back of his hand across his sweaty brow and then took a long, cold drink of water from his bottle.

“It’s Madelyne.”

Emory hesitated and took another drink as Justin walked over to him. The familiar confusion that had plagued him for the past few weeks settled over him, and a muscle in his neck tensed. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with this today. “Would you please tell her we’re busy and I’ll call her later?”

“How can you dismiss her?” Justin asked him. “She came to see you, and she brought you a gift.” He lowered his voice and pointed at Emory. “You should give her a chance instead of spending the rest of your life alone.”

Emory peered over to Chester, who stood nearby and watched him with a suspicious expression, causing more guilt and confusion to batter his insides. He turned back to his brother. “Fine. I’ll talk to her.”

After wiping his hands on a shop rag, Emory made his way to the front of the shop where Madelyne stood holding a pie plate. She looked pretty in a pale green dress under her black apron.

When she spotted him, her face lit up. “Wie geht’s?”

“Hi, Madelyne, I’m well,” he said, stepping around the counter. He nodded toward her pie plate. “What have you got there?”

She handed it to him. “It’s a strawberry pie. I thought you might need something sweet.”

“Danki.” He lifted the delicious-looking pie to his nose. “Wow, it smells amazing.”

She grinned. “I hope you enjoy it. So, how have you been? We haven’t spoken in almost three weeks.”

He set the pie on the counter behind him. “Well, we’ve been working long hours to try to keep up with the flood of orders we suddenly received.”

“Oh, that’s gut news then. What a blessing to be busy.”

“Ya, but it’s exhausting.”

“It sounds like you need a gut supper then.” Her eyes widened and her cheeks flamed pink. “Oh, I don’t mean that Maggie doesn’t make you a gut supper. I only meant that I would enjoy making you another supper.”

He smiled weakly at this sweet and eager woman. Perhaps he should take his brother’s advice and give her a chance. “I know what you mean, and . . . that would be nice.”

Madelyne brightened. “Really?”

He nodded.

“Okay then. Why don’t I look at my calendar and give you a call?”

“That sounds perfect.” He jammed his thumb toward the shop. “Anyway, I really need to get back to work. Danki for coming by. And for the pie.”

“Gern gschehne. Talk to you soon.”

He held up his hand in a wave and she headed out the door, the bell jingling as she disappeared into the parking lot.

“You’re making a gut choice.”

Emory spun to where his brother stood in the doorway. “You think so?” He hated the doubt in his voice.

“I do.” Justin walked over to the counter and rested his elbows on it.

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