Free Love’s Journey Home by Kelly Irvin Page A

She’d been
     tricked into giving him a fresh cookie free of charge. “You are quite the smooth talker,
     Isaac Gless. Now you best get along with your business while I talk to your sister
     about this job.”
    “I can’t hang around while you talk?”
    “Not unless you plan to be the one doing the baking.”
    “No, no, I’m either running my daed’s implement repair shop or I’m working for your
     brother at the blacksmith shop—I’m not sure which it will be yet. I went by but his
     shop was closed. A sign on the door said he’d gone to make a house call.”
    He imparted all this information while leaning on her counter, grinning at her. He
     didn’t sound unsure at all. Annie longed for that kind of self-assurance. Somehow
     hers had disappeared with David’s death. She found his a little daunting. She turned
     to Mary Elizabeth. “Come behind the counter. I’ll pour some fresh lemonade and we’ll
     talk while I make the rhubarb pies. In fact, if you’ve a mind to, you could start
     the oatmeal raisin cookies for me. A bit of a trial run, how about that?”
    “That would be nice.” Mary Elizabeth put a hand on the swinging door that separated
     the bakery’s public space from the work space. “I’m not so good at conversation, but
     my cookies are good.”
    “They’re very good,” Isaac interrupted. “I’ll be a witness to that.”
    “Tell your brother he can go now.” Annie cocked her head toward the door. “Job interviews
     are usually done by the person seeking the job, not a family member.”
    Mary Elizabeth’s cheeks turned rosy. “Isaac means well.”
    The clink of the door closing told Annie that Mary Elizabeth’s brother had taken the
     hint. Gut . “All the ingredients you’ll need are on these shelves.” She gestured to the oak
     planks that lined the wall. Shelves made with loving hands by Sadie’s husband many
     years ago. Annie ignored the pang. She missed working with Sadie, but time marched
     along, taking prisoners, and leaving people behind. “Help yourself and I’ll get started
     on the pies.”
    “My bruder doesn’t mean any harm.”
    Surprised at her insistence, Annie glanced back at the girl. “I didn’t think he did.
     I just have a lot of work to do. No time for silliness.”
    Mary Elizabeth selected cinnamon and nutmeg from the row of spices, then set them
     next to the enormous container of oatmeal. “He acts silly to hide his broken heart.”
    “It’s hard to tell.” Isaac had a broken heart? He didn’t act like it. Anyway, it wasn’t
     her place to know about Isaac Gless’s heart. “We should talk about your cooking skills.”
    “My mudder died so Abigail and I do all the cooking and we take care of my sisters.
     They’re special.” Mary Elizabeth wiped her hands on her apron. Her eyes reddened,
     but her voice remained steady. “Both of them, even though Daed doesn’t want to see
     it.”
    “I’m sure your daed believes he is blessed with each one of his children.” Annie knew
     what it was like to lose a mother and try to help raise little brothers and sisters.
     “It’s hard, isn’t it? But you’re blessed to have a big family to help care for the
     little ones.”
    “Jah.” Mary Elizabeth looked doubtful, but she nodded. “I love Isabelle and Rachel.
     I…I hope to have many some day.”
    “Of course you do. It’s what all Plain women want.”
    What Annie wanted more than anything she could imagine. Children with David. Many
     children. Gabriel Gless had eight. She couldn’t imagine such bounty. Yet he suffered,
     just as she did. Perhaps more so with no fraa to care for those children. Maybe Isaac
     tried to help Mary Elizabeth get a job because of this. Otherwise she would be a substitute
     mother and miss her chance to be mudder of her own children. Annie put the thought
     away. She must not meddle in other people’s problems. She had a penchant for doing
     that, and the results weren’t always what she would have