CHAPTER 1.
Anna Mast stood behind the counter of her small chocolate shop, the rich aroma of cocoa and sugar filling the air. She glanced at Domino, her black-and-white rescue dog, who lay by the door. “Ready for another busy day?”
Domino wagged his tail in response, his eyes following her every move. The wooden shelves, lined with an array of chocolate confections, displayed a polished sheen, highlighting the rich assortment of treats. Each piece had been meticulously crafted and then wrapped by Anna’s own hands.
Christmas was only a few weeks away, and the holiday spirit was buzzing. Wreaths adorned the shop windows, and in Anna’s store, a small Christmas display stood brightly in the corner, decorated with handmade ornaments and twinkling lights.
She took a deep breath, enjoying the peaceful moment before the customers came. “It’s going to be a good day, Domino. I can feel it,” she murmured, looking at the dog.
Then her part-time worker, Grace, arrived. Before they could greet each other, the familiar clang of metal against metal echoed from across the street. Gunter Gingerich, the town’s blacksmith, was already hard at work. Anna’s smile faltered. “Oh, Gunter, must you start so early?”
Grace laughed. “You can barely hear it, Anna.”
“I hear it. I hear it loud and clear.” She shook her head and turned her attention back to the shop, flipping the sign on the door to ‘Open.’
“It’s really not that bad, Anna. He’s far enough away that you can hardly hear the hammering.”
“It annoys me.”
Grace stared at Anna. “Maybe it’s Gunter who annoys you and not the hammering.”
“I’d say it’s both.”
The bell above the entrance jingled, and the first customer of the day walked in. “Good morning, Mrs. Beiler,” Anna said warmly.
“Good morning, Anna and Grace,” the elderly woman replied with a smile. “I see you’ve got peppermint bark.”
“Of course,” Anna said, reaching for a box. “Would you like some?”
“Yes, please. It’s my favorite.”
As they chatted, the bell jingled again, and a group of children entered, their eyes wide with delight at the sight of the chocolate wonders before them. Grace finished serving Mrs. Beiler, and Anna turned to the children. “What can I get for you today?”
The children took their time, carefully choosing from the assortment of loose chocolates. Anna patiently put their selections into small bags and then, with a warm smile, handed each of them a lollipop before they left. Spoiling the children who visited her store was the highlight of her day, and their joy always brought a special warmth to her heart. It was her hope to one day have several children of her own.
After Mrs. Beiler left, the shop quickly filled again, and Anna was happy to hear the continual ringing of the cash register. Apart from the money, it was pleasing to be contributing to the joy and warmth of the season. However, the incessant hammering from across the street was a constant reminder of the tension that lay just beneath the surface.
By midday, the initial rush had subsided, and Grace took a moment to restock the shelves. Anna glanced out the window and saw Gunter stepping out of his work area, wiping his hands on a rag. He looked over in the shop’s direction. She stared at him for a moment before he turned away.
Anna sighed, wondering if she and Gunter would ever find a way to coexist peacefully. She opened the door to her residence, which was behind the shop, and saw Domino was now lying on the couch. He lifted his head and stared at her.
“Domino, why can’t everyone be as easy going as you?” The dog thumped his tail in response, looking up at her with adoring eyes.
The bell above the door jingled, catching Anna's attention. She walked into the store and saw Sadie, a young girl from the community, standing hesitantly at the entrance. “Come in, Sadie,” Anna called out, waving her inside. “Would you like a piece of chocolate?”
Sadie nodded shyly and stepped in. “It’s okay. I don’t need chocolate.”
“Hello, Sadie,” Grace said cheerily.
“Hello.” Sadie then looked back at Anna. “Is Domino here?”
“He sure is. He loves visitors. He’s on the couch. Come through and see him.” Anna opened the door, and Sadie hurried to his side. Domino sat up and wagged his tail enthusiastically. Anna watched the sweet interaction.
Leaving them to it, Anna helped Grace in tidying the store and checking on stock levels.
Just before Sadie left several minutes later, Anna handed her a piece of candy. “Here you go, Sadie. Enjoy.”
“Thank you, Anna!” Sadie beamed at her and skipped out of the shop.
As the day progressed, Anna couldn't shake the feeling of change in the air. The Christmas season always brought surprises, and she wondered what this year had in store for her and the little chocolate shop.
Working with Grace, who was her age but married and newly pregnant, was a constant reminder that she wasn’t keeping up with the norms within her Amish community. By twenty-two, she should’ve been married or at least be dating a likely candidate for marriage.
