Free Thankful by Shelley Shepard Gray

the same. It took quite a lot of convincing and no small amount of tears to remind the children that nothing stayed the same for very long.
    Within two months, her home sold. In exchange, she’d bought a small little bungalow in the old section of Sugarcreek. The kids took some of the extra furniture, she sold the rest, and finally, on a rainy day in May, she moved into her new home.
    There, living in the two-bedroom home with its tiny garden patio and antique bathroom with the claw-footed bathtub, she’d felt like she’d finally made a change in her life.
    Now, sitting alone in her office, she knew it was time for another change.
    Her recent evening at Pippa’s had much to do with her decision . . . as well as the visit before with the accountant. The Sugarcreek Inn had become a money pit. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to put her retirement in jeopardy—all in an effort to keep a restaurant she was tired of devoting so much of her time to to keep afloat.
    â€œYou need a partner,” Pippa had said.
    To her surprise, Jana didn’t reject the idea immediately. Having someone to share both the financial burdens and the grueling schedule with would be a blessing indeed. “How do you think that would work?”
    â€œAll you have to do is find someone who wants to get into the restaurant business but wants to get in slowly. Then, little by little, this new partner can work more and more while you work less and less.”
    It sounded very intriguing. But she’d lived long enough to know such things didn’t happen so easily. “And how do you think that would happen?” she’d asked, her voice a bit sarcastic. “We’d have to actually find someone who wanted to be a part owner in an Amish restaurant in Sugarcreek. I don’t want to sound completely negative, but Sugarcreek isn’t exactly a bustling metropolis.”
    â€œIt only takes one person to want to go into business with you, Jana.”
    â€œThat is true. But even finding one person might be—”
    Pippa interrupted. “Jana, I’m talking about me.”
    â€œYou?”
    To Jana’s chagrin, Pippa looked hurt. “Why not me?”
    Jana knew she should tread carefully. Pippa was young—well younger. And therefore she, no doubt, had a lot of dreams that shouldn’t be squashed.
    But the girl probably had no idea of the amount of money and time that was involved. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, she decided to go slowly. “Well, for starters, I didn’t think you especially liked Amish food.”
    â€œI like it. I was in the restaurant this week, remember? I got a vegetable plate.”
    â€œAnd . . . I don’t want to sound rude, but I have a feeling that the amount to buy into a partnership would be a lot of money.” Jana felt terrible. She didn’t want to state the obvious, but well, Pippa was working at the Walmart and she lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. . . .
    Pippa raised her chin. “I have money in savings, Jana. A lot of money. Just because I haven’t spent it doesn’t mean it’s not there.” As Jana processed that, Pippa continued, her voice turning excited. “And I like working at Walmart. I was working there until I figured out what I wanted to do.”
    Pippa took a deep breath and glared at Jana. “It wasn’t because I couldn’t get a job anyplace else.”
    Now she felt even worse. “Of course. I’m sorry—”
    â€œI happen to think I would be a good fit. We enjoy being together, and I don’t mind working. I’m also a quick learner. And I get along with people, too.”
    â€œYes,” she murmured helplessly. It was becoming obvious that Pippa had done a lot of thinking about this.
    â€œJust think about it, will you? I have a feeling some of your patrons might enjoy a plate of enchiladas with their chicken every once in a