The Parting by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis [Lewis, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-07-23T20:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Nellie struggled with a feeling of distress all that next Friday morning after the quilting as she pondered the goings-on in the house. What had caused her father to develop his strange obsession with the Bible? They read twice each day as a family now, but then Dat spent several more hours reading and studying on his own, hurrying through his chores to do so.

Peculiar . . . and worrisome.

She wanted to talk with Mamma about both that and Dat’s fancy praying, but she couldn’t bring herself to raise the topic. Oddly, her mother seemed to be in compliance. Mamma was known for often speaking up, yet in such a gentle way that Dat could never scold her for being less than meek.

She recalled the night Dat had first read from John to them—how vulnerable she’d felt kneeling at her bed, weeping into her hands. It was impossible to forget her longing at that moment . . . how she’d wished for the Lord God to soothe, even mend, her guilty heart. Like a young child in need of loving help.

Nellie forced her thoughts back to taking note of the varieties of muffins, whole wheat rolls, and cupcakes already dwindling fast this morning. She began to count the dozens of cookies.

Hearing a car pull into the lane, she looked up to see a group of five women enter the shop. “We saw your cute little sign out front,” said one.

“Hope you don’t mind if we come in,” said another.

“Make yourselves at home,” Nellie Mae replied.

“Do you sell to non-Amish?” a third woman asked, the tallest and youngest-looking of the bunch.

“Everyone’s welcome,” said Nellie.

A redheaded woman who looked to be in her thirties was the first to order, requesting a half dozen of Nellie’s morning glory muffins. The Englischer got to talking about recipes with her three friends while Nellie filled the order.

“Will that be all for you today?” Nellie asked.

She raised her eyes to Nellie’s. “Actually, I was wondering where I might get my hands on some authentic recipes.”

Nellie smiled. “Well, if it’s Amish recipes you’re after, I have plenty in my noggin.” She tapped at her temple. “What would you like—hot dishes, baked goods . . . desserts?”

The woman brightened. “A general question first—do you use shortening or butter for your cakes and sweet breads?”

“Well, that depends on what we have on hand,” Nellie answered. “There are times when I use lard, too.”

The redhead was now eyeing the sticky buns, tapping on the glass counter with her long pink fingernails. “And do you use store-bought flour or grind your own?”

“Oh, either’s fine,” Nellie said. “We don’t mind going to the grocery store for things, but we like to make do with food off the land.” She paused to determine their interest before continuing. “Each family puts up about a thousand jars of vegetables, fruit, and preserves every year at the harvest.”

“What about your delightful language?” the oldestlooking woman in the group asked. “Is there any way to learn it?”

Nellie shrugged.

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