The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country by Cindy Woodsmall Page B
Authors: Cindy Woodsmall
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slept all night and had grabbed the paper first thing. Nothing was listed.
Daadi Moses was somewhere on the egg farm, probably working harder than most men half his age, but lately he hadn’t wanted her help with those jobs, so she’d been keeping her distance. This morning he’d do well to stay out of her way. Despite her best efforts, she was much like a wet hen, ruffling her feathers every few minutes and slinging dirty water in every direction.
While waiting last night for Aden, she’d walked up from the creek to the top of the knoll dozens of times, looking for signs of him. She’d then returned to the orchard, thinking maybe he’d decided to walk from his place rather than come by carriage. She’d diligently watched for him, determined not to miss him no matter what part of the acreage he might be on. But he’d never showed.
She emptied the pan of chicken feed. After turning on the spigot, she filled the containers with fresh water, trying to calm her rioting emotions. She had to see him this morning, and she intended to be there the minute the diner opened.
After turning off the water and closing the gate to the chicken pen, she hurried into the farmhouse to wash up. Daadi Moses had told her she couldn’t use the rig to go to the diner anymore, so she’d go on foot. That was not what he’d intended when he said she couldn’t drive over there, but she had to check on Aden this morning.
The mid-March sun was warm on her back. The newspaper said the high today would be sixty with a light wind. But by the time she stood across the street from the diner a couple of miles from her grandfather’s place, she was ready to pull off her jacket.
She stared at the diner from the far side of the street. Through the large plate-glass window, it appeared that Aden was in the kitchen. Relief lasted only a moment before insecurity reared its head. Perhaps he’d changed his mind about her.
They’d had five glorious late-night strolls, talking about anything and everything. Reminiscing about childhood memories. Sharing their opinions about the differing views of their communities. Discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. Of course, Annie had done most of the talking. But Aden had started to come out of his protective shell.
She loved the way he sang his more intimate thoughts to her. But she rejoiced especially when he was able to speak without singing or stuttering, at least not as much as before.
The night before last, they’d stayed together the latest, neither of them wanting their time together to end. That’s how she’d felt, at least. She’d assumed he thought the same thing.
But if he felt the way she did, then why did he stand her up last night?
The question circled, making her heart ache.
Roman came to the front door and flipped the Closed sign to Open. A family of eight piled out of a car in the parking lot and entered the restaurant. Roman welcomed them in and showed them to a table. His smiling face indicated that all was well.
Needing answers, she strode across the street and opened the glass door. When Roman turned her way, she smiled. His expression turned cold.
He grabbed a menu and rolled toward her. “Table for one?”
This was not one of the countless scenarios she’d envisioned. He’d asked that as if she were a customer he didn’t like.
“I’m here to see Aden.” Her voice sounded weak.
“He’s busy.”
She looked toward the pass-through, but Aden was no longer in sight. The family she’d seen walk in were the only people in the diner. “Well, if you’re going to be busy today, maybe I can help again.”
“Annie,” Roman whispered, “be reasonable, please. We can’t afford to anger Moses. You know that.” He gestured at the customer tables. “But you’re welcome to eat here anytime. Would you prefer a table or a booth?”
Was Roman speaking for Aden, telling her it was over? She wouldn’t know unless she spoke to him. “No thanks. I’ll just sit at
Daadi Moses was somewhere on the egg farm, probably working harder than most men half his age, but lately he hadn’t wanted her help with those jobs, so she’d been keeping her distance. This morning he’d do well to stay out of her way. Despite her best efforts, she was much like a wet hen, ruffling her feathers every few minutes and slinging dirty water in every direction.
While waiting last night for Aden, she’d walked up from the creek to the top of the knoll dozens of times, looking for signs of him. She’d then returned to the orchard, thinking maybe he’d decided to walk from his place rather than come by carriage. She’d diligently watched for him, determined not to miss him no matter what part of the acreage he might be on. But he’d never showed.
She emptied the pan of chicken feed. After turning on the spigot, she filled the containers with fresh water, trying to calm her rioting emotions. She had to see him this morning, and she intended to be there the minute the diner opened.
After turning off the water and closing the gate to the chicken pen, she hurried into the farmhouse to wash up. Daadi Moses had told her she couldn’t use the rig to go to the diner anymore, so she’d go on foot. That was not what he’d intended when he said she couldn’t drive over there, but she had to check on Aden this morning.
The mid-March sun was warm on her back. The newspaper said the high today would be sixty with a light wind. But by the time she stood across the street from the diner a couple of miles from her grandfather’s place, she was ready to pull off her jacket.
She stared at the diner from the far side of the street. Through the large plate-glass window, it appeared that Aden was in the kitchen. Relief lasted only a moment before insecurity reared its head. Perhaps he’d changed his mind about her.
They’d had five glorious late-night strolls, talking about anything and everything. Reminiscing about childhood memories. Sharing their opinions about the differing views of their communities. Discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. Of course, Annie had done most of the talking. But Aden had started to come out of his protective shell.
She loved the way he sang his more intimate thoughts to her. But she rejoiced especially when he was able to speak without singing or stuttering, at least not as much as before.
The night before last, they’d stayed together the latest, neither of them wanting their time together to end. That’s how she’d felt, at least. She’d assumed he thought the same thing.
But if he felt the way she did, then why did he stand her up last night?
The question circled, making her heart ache.
Roman came to the front door and flipped the Closed sign to Open. A family of eight piled out of a car in the parking lot and entered the restaurant. Roman welcomed them in and showed them to a table. His smiling face indicated that all was well.
Needing answers, she strode across the street and opened the glass door. When Roman turned her way, she smiled. His expression turned cold.
He grabbed a menu and rolled toward her. “Table for one?”
This was not one of the countless scenarios she’d envisioned. He’d asked that as if she were a customer he didn’t like.
“I’m here to see Aden.” Her voice sounded weak.
“He’s busy.”
She looked toward the pass-through, but Aden was no longer in sight. The family she’d seen walk in were the only people in the diner. “Well, if you’re going to be busy today, maybe I can help again.”
“Annie,” Roman whispered, “be reasonable, please. We can’t afford to anger Moses. You know that.” He gestured at the customer tables. “But you’re welcome to eat here anytime. Would you prefer a table or a booth?”
Was Roman speaking for Aden, telling her it was over? She wouldn’t know unless she spoke to him. “No thanks. I’ll just sit at
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