An Amish Country Christmas (32 page)

“Hello?” a male voice came 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, for sure and for certain,”
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 highway—and we can talk at a back
table.”

“Sounds 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 about caring for that
elderly mother . . . or what if the kids ran her so ragged she got nothing done except
keeping them out of trouble? What if Andy Leitner’s family didn’t like her because
she wore Plain clothing and kapps?

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?

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

 

Compilation copyright © 2013 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
“The Christmas Visitors” copyright © 2013 by Naomi King
“Kissing the Bishop” copyright © 2013 by Charlotte Hubbard

 

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ISBN: 978-1-4201-3188-8

 

eISBN-13: 978-1-4201-3189-5
eISBN-10: 1-4201-3189-3
First Electronic Edition: October 2013