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then.”
    â€œGut.”
    He had just turned around, and when she knew she couldn’t let another moment go by without saying something, she added, “Aden, even though you don’t like celebrating today, I’m grateful for it. I will always be grateful for you jumping in the pond and pulling me out. For saving my life.”
    A myriad of expressions crossed his features—pain, remembered fear, embarrassment. She knew each one by heart because she’d felt the same things.
    But then he took her hand in his, curved both of his around it, and pressed. “It was a life worth saving. I, too, will always be thankful for that day, Christy. Always.”
    Then with his cheeks a brilliant red, he turned around as she slowly walked into the restaurant.
    She had a new tingle on her skin. After ten years, she’d never given up on the thought that Aden might someday be hers. Every time she was sure that there was no chance of them having a future, something like this would happen, making her heart soar all over again.
    But of course, she knew better than to do anything to encourage him. The last thing in the world she wanted was to embarrass them both.
    She’d done enough of that for two lifetimes.

chapter two
    â€œWatch yourself today, Christina,” Marla whispered into her ear as Christina neatly placed her coat and lunch container on her hook at the back of the restaurant. “Jana is in a terrible mood this morning.”
    â€œAgain?”
    â€œAgain.” Marla shrugged her shoulders, the movement in obvious sympathy. “I can’t figure it out. Business seems good, the customers seem happy enough.”
    â€œMaybe it doesn’t have anything to do with the inn, then.”
    â€œIf it doesn’t have anything to do with the restaurant, what could be wrong? All Jana does is work.” After peeking around the corner, she added, “I don’t know what’s going on, but I wish she’d take out her bad mood on other folks besides us. I’m getting right tired of it.”
    Christina mentally agreed, but didn’t dare risk saying anything out loud. She was lucky to have this job and she certainly didn’t want to risk it by talking badly about the restaurant’s owner. “More dishes today?”
    Ruth, the kitchen’s other worker—and the only one of the three of them who wasn’t Amish—trotted over and gave her a little hug. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing?” she said with a smile. “I was just telling Jana that you’d probably wash dishes all day, every day for the next year if we let you. But I’ve got some super news to share.”
    â€œAnd that is?”
    Ruth pointed to a young girl. “This is Jolene. She’s our new dishwasher.”
    Christina smiled warmly and extended her hand. She didn’t want the young girl to realize how thrilled she was with this news.
    â€œHi, Jolene,” she said politely. “I’m verra glad you’re here.”
    As Jolene shyly smiled, Ruth grinned in a far bolder way. “I had a feeling you would be excited to see our new girl. Now, off you go.”
    â€œTo do what?”
    â€œYou’re going to be a server this morning.”
    â€œTruly?” She didn’t even try to hide her excitement.
    Marla came over and stood next to Ruth. “ Ach, but your eyes are so wide, Christina! You look like it’s Christmas and your birthday, all rolled into one.”
    â€œI’m just verra thankful that I won’t be washing dishes all day long. Not that there was anything wrong with it, of course,” she said to Jolene.
    â€œI don’t mind it,” the new girl replied.
    Reaching around Christina, Ruth pulled out a crisp white server’s apron and pressed it into Christina’s hands. “Slip this on and go on out to Jana. She’s going to supervise you herself this morning. And good luck with