Winter of Wishes Read Free

he was chatting with Hannah and Mamma,
     she slipped out to the phone shanty before she lost her nerve. Common sense told her
     she should think out some answers to whatever questions Andy Leitner might ask, yet
     excitement overruled her usual practicality. Chances were good that she’d have to
     leave him a voice mail, anyway, so as her fingers danced over the phone number, her
     thoughts raced. Never in her life had she considered working in another family’s home,
     yet this seemed like the opportunity she’d been hoping for—praying for—of late. Surely
     Mamma would understand if—
    “Hello?” a male voice said over the phone. He sounded a little groggy.
    Rhoda gripped the receiver. It hadn’t occurred to her that while she’d already worked
     a couple of hours at the café, most of the world wasn’t out of bed yet. “I—sorry I
     called so early, but—”
    “Not a problem. Glad for the wake-up call, because it seems I fell back asleep,” he
     replied with a soft groan. “How can I help you?”
    Rhoda’s imagination ran wild. If this was Andy Leitner, he had a deep, mellow voice.
     Even though she’d awakened him and he was running late, he spoke pleasantly. “I, um,
     found the notice from an Andy Leitner on the board in Zook’s Market just now, and—”
     She closed her eyes, wondering where the words had disappeared to. She had to sound
     businesslike, or at least competent, or this man wouldn’t want to talk to her.
    “You’re interested in the position?” he asked with a hopeful upturn in his voice.
     “I was wondering if the store owners had taken my note down.”
    Rhoda’s heart raced. “ Jah , I’d like to talk to you about it,” she gushed. “But ya should understand right out
     that I don’t have a car, on account of how we Amish don’t believe in ownin’—I mean,
     I’m not preachin’ at ya, or—”
    She winced. “This is comin’ out all wrong. Sorry,” she rasped. “My name’s Rhoda Lantz,
     and I’m in Willow Ridge. I sure hope you don’t think I’m too ferhoodled to even be considered for the job.”
    “Ferhoodled?” The word rolled melodiously from the receiver and teased at her.
    “Crazy mixed-up,” she explained. “Confused, and—well, I’m keepin’ ya from whatever
     ya need to be doin’, so—”
    “Ah, but you’re a solution to my problem. The answer to a prayer,” he added quietly.
     “For that, I have time to listen, Rhoda. I need to make my shift at the hospital,
     but could I come by and chat with you when I get off? Say, around two this afternoon?”
    Rhoda grinned. “That would be wonderful- gut , Mr. Leitner! We’ll be closin’ up at two—my mamm runs the Sweet Seasons Bakery Café on the county blacktop. We can talk at a back
     table.”
    “Perfect. I’ll see you then—and thanks so much for calling, Rhoda.”
    “ Jah , for sure and for certain!”
    As she placed the receiver back in its cradle, Rhoda held her breath. What would she
     tell Mamma? She felt scared and excited and yes, ferhoodled , because she now had an interview for a job! She had no idea how to care for that
     elderly mother . . . or what if the kids ran her so ragged she got nothing done except
     to keep them out of trouble? What if Andy Leitner’s family didn’t like her because
     she wore Plain clothing and kapps?
    What have ya gone and done, Rhoda Lantz?
    She inhaled to settle herself, and headed back to the café’s kitchen. There was no
     going back, no unsaying what she’d said over the phone. No matter what anyone else
     thought, she could only move forward.
    And wasn’t that exactly what she’d been hoping to do for weeks now?

Chapter Two
    Andy pulled into the parking lot beside the Sweet Seasons and switched off his ignition.
     He’d stopped here a couple of times for a sack of muffins or cinnamon rolls but never
     for a sit-down meal. He was always on the run, in a hurry, it seemed. He admired the
     work ethic of the mother and daughters