Free Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

bright blue parka called out. “Excuse me, I need some help over here. Hello?”
    “We’d best get to work,” Judith muttered.
    “Indeed. But maybe we can talk more another time?”
    “ Jah. Sure . . .”
    Taking advantage of the momentary burst of silence, a heavyset woman in a red sweatshirt from the other side of the store stepped up importantly. “I need help getting a trunk down,” she said. “Can you help me?”
    “Of course. I’ll be glad to,” Ben replied. He was sad to leave the discussion but thankful to have something else to do besides wish things were different between Judith and himself.
    Or, if he was honest, wish that he was different. He did wish he hadn’t lived the last ten years of his life pushing everything and everyone away. And wished Judith didn’t look at him and remember his temper. Or the way he’d always gotten into trouble.
    He shook his head as if to clear it. Those longings caught him off guard. He’d been sure he’d given up all desire for the things he couldn’t have years ago.

Chapter Ten
     
    Six Days Until Christmas
     
    “I was so happy to see you this morning, Caleb,” Mrs. Miller said as she bustled around the kitchen and sliced him a large square of warm applesauce cake. “Seeing you sitting here in my kitchen always brightens my day.”
    Eating Mrs. Miller’s baked goods always brightened his day, Caleb reflected. A longtime innkeeper, she was truly one of the best bakers in Sugarcreek.
    As she brought him the warm treat, now liberally topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, he looked up at her fondly. “You didn’t know I was comin’? You just happened to be baking my favorite cake this morning?”
    She squeezed his shoulder with a laugh. “Caleb Graber, don’t you think I know you well by now? You’ve never had a favorite treat! You love them all.”
    Sure enough, as he took the first bite, Caleb knew she spoke the truth. He dearly loved everything that came from Mrs. Miller’s kitchen. Into everything she incorporated a liberal dose of love and care. If he was honest, he’d say he liked being in the kitchen, too. She collected snowmen—figurines and images—and in December, it seemed everything in the room was or displayed a smiling white snowman. “This is wonderful, Mrs. Miller.”
    “You are a dear to say such sweet things. I’ll send some home with you for your parents.”
    “ Danke, but I’m afraid I can’t take any today.”
    “Ah, yes. You’re meeting Rebecca here, aren’t you?”
    “Jah.” He took another bite quickly so he wouldn’t be tempted to ask more about Rebecca. It wouldn’t be right to ask for private information about the girl he liked so much. He didn’t know much about relationships, but even he knew it was only right to wait for her to tell him her secrets.
    After crossing the room, Mrs. Miller pulled out one of the sturdy black Windsor chairs next to him. Holding a piping hot mug of coffee in between her wide palms, she spoke. “Knowing Rebecca has been a joy for me. Not only is she a tremendous help with this old place, but she’s a wonderful- gut girl, Caleb. You are lucky to have her.”
    Her frank words caused him to flinch. “I don’t ‘have’ her. I just like her.” A lot, he added silently. Caleb eyed the remaining portion of his cake. Only two, maybe three bites remained. With care, he speared a bite, hoping to make it last longer. After taking another sip of her coffee, Mrs. Miller got to her feet again. With a smile, she picked up his plate and carried it back to the counter. There, she cut off another sizable portion of cake, then brought it back to him, this time the bowl of cold whipped cream in her other hand. “Here you go, Caleb. I wasn’t sure how much whipped cream to put on your piece this time.”
    “Any amount would do.”
    “Yes, but you might as well have what you want, don’t you agree? It’s important for a man to know what he wants.”
    He stilled, his finger