Of all her siblings, Cora Ann was the most like their father. She had a love of food and restaurant work that made Sadie a little envious. Oh to know what you wanted out of life, and to be able to get it.
Sadie loved her work at the restaurant, she really did. But not like Cora Ann. At thirteen, her youngest sister was constantly pouring over food magazines and recipes. Sadie even caught her on the Internet checking out different recipes on the restaurant's computer.
Jah
, Sadie was certain that one day Kauffman's Family Restaurant would be in Cora Ann's capable hands.
Mark took a couple of more steps in the direction that Chris had indicated. “I think I see it.” Then he grabbed Ruthie's hand and together they started in the opposite direction.
Sadie whirled around. “Where are you going?”
Mark turned and walked backward not bothering to let go of Ruthie's hand as they continued. “Just because you want to buy buffalo meat doesn't mean we do.” He gave them a grin. “We'll meet you at the van.”
“Bison meat,” she corrected once again, then turned around just in time to see William and Hannah head off down another aisle. She didn't even bother to ask them where they were going. It was like that these days. Since she and Chris were the only couple in their bunch who hadn't gotten married, she felt like a third wheel, even when they were together.
Well, that wasn't exactly true. Lorie and Jonah had been a part of their group once upon a time and they hadn't gotten married. And she and Chris weren't a couple. Just best friends, sidekicks.
“I guess it's just me and you.” Sadie sighed. The six of them had hired a driver to come to the market so they could shop and spend time together. So much for that.
Chris smiled. “Just the way I like it.”
Last week, those words would have made her heart pound in her chest, but today they only made her sad. Her time with Chris was growing smaller each day.
Together they made their way through the milling shoppers. The market was a great place to find fresh produce and other ingredients for the restaurant. Normally, Sadie loved coming and wandering through the stalls and stands, learning of new foods and tools. A little of anything and everything could be found at the market.
“Are you serious about Europe?” She hadn't meant to ask the question, but it had been building inside her for days. Ever since Chris had told her about his plans.
“
Jah.
Of course.”
She nodded.
“You haven't told anyone, have you?”
“No.” And she wouldn't. Not until he broke the news to his parents.
Chris pointed up ahead. “There it is.”
Sadie recognized the sign.
HEIN FARMS,
it read.
EXOTIC MEATS AND ANIMALS.
But the man standing at the booth was not the one who had been there earlier.
This man was . . .
She stumbled as he turned to face her.
The most handsome man she had ever seen.
And a Mennonite.
“Can I help you?” he asked. His voice was smooth, not too deep. Just right. In fact, everything about him was just right from his sun-streaked blond hair to his dark brown eyes.
He wore faded blue jeans like she had seen Zach Calhoun wear, an orange and white checkered shirt, and black suspenders. Suddenly she felt more than plain in her mourning black. Not that it mattered.
“
Jah
, I was here earlier talking to a guy about some bison meat.”
“That was my friend. He was watching the booth for me. Ezra Hein,” he said with a nod.
“Sadie Kauffman. Nice to meet you,” she returned. “He gave me some quotes when we stopped by earlier. I have them here.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the piece of paper with the price per pound that the friend had written down for her. Her hands were trembling as she handed it to Ezra.
“That's a lot of meat,” he said.
“My family owns a restaurant in Wells Landing.”
He nodded.
Was it just her or was this conversation awkward? Probably because instead of talking about meat and restaurants, she'd rather be talking about anything else with him.
He had to be the most intriguing man she had ever seen. Attractive, polite . . .
She pushed those thoughts away. He was a Mennonite, and she was Amish. He was handsome, and she was plain. What would a guy like him want with a girl like her?
“Do you get the meat locally?” she asked, trying to remember all the things
Mamm
had wanted her to ask.
“You could say that. We raise them ourselves, then send them to a butcher in Tulsa. He packages everything there and we pick it up when it's ready.”
“Really?”
He smiled. “Yes. We also have ostriches and deer, if you're interested. All of our stock is organically fed. Even the camels.”
Sadie was just drifting off into an Ezra-filled daydream when his last word brought her back to reality. “Camels? You don't eat them, do you?” She tried to not make a face. But camel meat?
Ezra laughed. “No, we keep them for milk.”
“Camels, ostriches, bison, and deer? That sounds like quite a farm.”
“You should come out and see it sometime.”
She would like nothing more. And suddenly Chris going to Europe didn't seem like the end of her world. “I would like that.” She smiled. “So can you supply us with that much bison?”
He nodded. “Of course. When would you like delivery?”
As he worked out the details of the order with Sadie, she had a hard time concentrating on what he was saying and not how he looked and smelled while he was saying it. And she wondered when she might be able to get away to visit the Hein farm.
She signed the papers, handed him a business card for the restaurant, and shook his hand, loving the feel of his strong grip and his warm, calloused fingers.
What was wrong with her? She must have been out in the heat too long, though it was the prettiest day in late January that she could ever remember. Seventy degrees couldn't really be described as hot.
“Well, Sadie Kauffman. I'll be seeing you.”
She smiled at his words. Was that promise she heard in his voice, or just wishful thinking on her part?
Please let it be promise.
She couldn't say what was so special about Ezra Hein, but it was there all the same. Suddenly the chasm between Amish and Mennonite didn't seem so impossible to cross.
“He's flirty,” Chris commented as they turned to go. He wore a frown on his face, his brow wrinkled with disapproval.
Sadie had almost forgotten he was with her. “He's just nice,” she said. No sense in getting her hopes up only to have them dashed to pieces.
“If you say so.”
“I do.” As they walked back down the aisle to find their friends, Sadie looked back at the stand.
Ezra was looking after them, her business card in one hand and a smile on his face. He caught her gaze and gave her a little wave.
Sadie returned it, then faced front, trying not to count down the days until she would see Ezra again.