CHAPTER 1.
After Debbie and Krystal left for work, Wilma slipped into her coat and walked out into the cold winter morning. She licked her lips, tasting wintergreen from one of the leftover candies Ada had made for Jared. She hadn't had candy since she was a little girl when her mother would make her and her sister a special treat.
Wilma paused to breathe in the scent of apple trees on the crisp air. The trees swayed back and forth in the wind, rustling as they filled the air with their fragrance.
Today, something pulled her toward the road in the opposite direction from the trees. Halfway between the house and the road, she glanced at the small building her first husband had constructed. Waves of nostalgia rolled over her.
Josiah, the girls' father, had built the shop so they could sell their apple wares.
It had stood empty for the last couple of years. Her daughters had all gone in different directions, and things other than selling apple goods had become a priority.
Wilma walked to the shop, trying to remember where the key was hidden. She found it under the third rock along the garden bed that lined one side of the building. Wilma turned the small gold key in the lock and pushed open the door.
When she walked inside, she turned in a full circle. Had she just found a way to occupy her time in the warmer months? This would be perfect.
She moved around the room, opening the windows to let in some fresh air.
Once Wilma had the air circulating, moving out the mustiness, she sat on one of the stools behind the counter and thought of another option. Could this little shop be made into another dwelling? Wilma thought. If it had a kitchen and a bathroom, someone could live here. It would be like a little cottage. It would be perfect for newlyweds. It could be another way to keep Krystal or Debbie close once they marry.
When she heard the clip-clopping of hooves, she looked out the door and saw that Samuel was bringing Ada.
Wilma hurried out of the shop and waved them down before they went all the way up to the house. Ada saw her and then said something to Samuel, and the buggy halted.
Once Ada got out, Wilma walked over to greet her while Samuel turned the buggy around. They both waved to Samuel. It still upset Wilma every time Samuel drove away from the house alone. They would've spent the day together if Levi had still been alive.
Ada eyed her suspiciously. "What are you doing down here, Wilma?"
"I don't know. I haven't been to the shop for so long. I'm deciding what can be done with the place. I do have some ideas. Come inside out of the cold, and I'll tell you what I've been thinking."
Ada walked inside, and Wilma followed. "Oh, Wilma, it's not much warmer in here. Why are all the windows open? All the dust is getting blown about, and it's cold." Ada picked up the end of her apron and covered her mouth.
It was a little dusty, but Ada was being overly dramatic. "I'm airing the place out. It's just been sitting empty for years. The girls used to have so much fun working here."
Ada shook her head. "Debbie and Krystal could've worked here and made some money. They didn't need to go off and find other jobs."
"I don't think working here would've satisfied either of them. They're both building businesses for themselves, which is quite different. They can do what they're doing even after they're married."
Ada let go of her apron. "Hmm, that is if they both get married. I'm not seeing much hope for either of them, sadly. And Debbie has Jared, and he's not an easy child. You have to ask yourself, what man would want the responsibility for Jared's problems?"
Wilma shook her head. "Don't say that. Jared is a sweet boy. He's got so many good qualities; besides, he has improved lately. For a young child, he is thoughtful of others."
"If you say so, Wilma. I like how you always keep things nice and don't like to be mean about people. I say what is so."
"I know."
"Another thing I'll say…."
"What is it?" Wilma braced herself for more of Ada's 'truths.'
"Both of those young women should be thinking about you."
"What do you mean?" Wilma asked.
"Well, there's no one here to run the shop. You can't do it alone. It would be nice if Debbie and Krystal would stay around the house more."
"I don't expect that. They'd have no reason to do it. My children didn't even stay close."
"Yes, they did. Joy is just down the road, and Hope is next door. Even Florence is next door on the other side."
Wilma looked up and saw all the cobwebs in all the corners of the room. "I was wondering if it should be used for a different purpose, like turning it into a cottage."
"Why? Your house is so big."
"My first thoughts were it being a way to keep either Debbie or Krystal here for longer. Normally when a young couple gets married, they need somewhere cheap to live while they save up for a place of their own. If Matthew married Krystal, this place would be perfect for them since Matthew works at the orchard now."
Ada smiled at the mention of her nephew possibly marrying Krystal. "We have to hope and pray that Krystal's eyes will be open to him. He's willing."
"Then there's Debbie."
"No, Wilma. She'll marry Fritz, and he'll take her back to where he comes from. That's the best hope for her, and that's if he can handle Jared."
Wilma hung her head. "I want her to be happy, but I don't want her to go. I'll miss Jared too."
"You're not looking after him today?" Ada asked.
Wilma shook her head. "He's with Joy again."
"If you're considering making this into a cottage, it'll need a bathroom and a kitchen." Ada looked around and added, "And some walls to divide the living space from the bedrooms."
"I know. I think it's only big enough for one bedroom."
"Carter likes doing jobs for you. Perhaps he can get an idea of how much it'll take to convert the place. And then you'll know if it's something you can afford."
Wilma nodded. "I'll talk it over with him. Or, maybe we should keep it as is. You and I could work here next season."
Ada drew her eyebrows together. "We meet your new friends two mornings a week, and then we have charity events. How can we do it all?"
"Perhaps our friends might like to help out on those mornings. They both said they were lonely, so it would give them something to do. And we won't always be busy with customers. There's plenty of time to talk and drink teas and coffees."
"But aren't you too old to work here?" Ada asked.
"We could do it. It's not that hard."
"I suppose we could, but I won't take any money from you."
"That's good because I wasn't going to offer any." They both laughed. "I was only joking. Of course, I will. You can make some delicious things to sell here. Could you use the extra income?" Wilma asked.
"I suppose it will always come in handy. Yes, now I'm getting excited about the idea. I'm thinking of all the things we could make. I could make my wintergreen candies."
Wilma nodded, still tasting the freshness of the wintergreen in her mouth. "We could open it up once the warmer weather comes. We'll put signs on the roads to bring people here like we used to."
"That sounds like a perfect idea. We'll show the young how things are done."
Ada moved to the door when they heard the clip-clopping of horse's hooves. "Is that Samuel back again?"
They both walked to the door, and then Ada pulled Wilma back and closed it. "It's Debbie and Fritz. Isn't Debbie working?"
"Not today. She's spending the day with Fritz. Bliss is working at the tea stall."
"Let's spy on them."
Wilma laughed. "We aren't teenagers, Ada."
"Fine, then you can stay where you are." Ada moved the curtain with a slight tug and peeked through the window. The window was small and a bit dirty. "Oh, they're sitting in the buggy now, just sitting there. They are talking. What could they be talking about?"
Wilma moved next to her and hid behind the curtain on the other side. "These windows need cleaning. I can barely see through this one." Wilma opened the window wider. "Everything in here does need a clean."
"Not a teenager, eh?" Ada laughed. "Now you're okay with spying?"
Wilma smiled. "You're a bad influence on me, Ada Berger. I do hope he'll propose soon. I know that's what she wants. No matter what we think of him, they love each other."
Ada pouted. "I still don't know what she sees in him. He's very abrupt. That worries me."
"He was probably in a bad mood that day we met him. Maybe we should forget our first impression because he seems lovely now. He's lovely to her, and that's what matters."
"Yes, perfectly lovely because he wants to take Debbie and Jared away from us. If that's what he's got planned. Still, you must admire him if he's willing to take on a child like that."
"Now that Debbie is not talking to her parents and Jared's grandparents and Levi's gone, I feel like I am her parent. I am the one who needs to watch over her and guide her."
A sudden gust of wind blew the curtains apart; their heads bobbed from side to side as the curtains blew over their heads. Wilma laughed, grabbed the curtains, and pulled them slightly closed so they could hide behind them again.
"Yes, I feel protective of her too, Wilma. But we both know that Jared needs a father, and Debbie needs a husband. It's her choice even though he's not a man we would choose. Perhaps he will be good for Debbie and Jared."
Wilma thought for a while. "Jared likes him."
