The Caregiver - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,40
wouldn’t be too difficult at all. Only things involved there were words. Not needles or operations.
Or fear.
As if sensing an internal distress, Graham clasped her hand again and squeezed it gently. Grateful for his touch, Mattie smiled his way. Thank goodness for Graham. Thank goodness for good friends.
Chapter 15
John Weaver knew he was too old to be doing what he was doing—mooning about two women.
“John?” Amos called out, his voice as sharp and biting as a tack. “Are you ever going to help carry the trays inside, or do I need to get someone younger to help?”
Just to give the old guy grief, John said, “Definitely someone younger. Got anyone else in mind?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he answered as John met him in the large kitchen at the back of the building.
“Guess I’ll have to help you out, then . . .”
“Guess so. Pick up the tray and be smart about it.”
Hiding a smile, John picked up the tray loaded with three dozen donuts and followed Amos into the front of the store, where the bakery cases were. Just as he prepared to slide the tray into the glass case, he noticed a pair of customers waiting by the front door. “We’ve got customers already.”
Amos grunted. “No, you have customers. My day is almost done.”
And with that, he disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving John to stride to the front and unlock the door. “Good morning, ladies,” he said.
“Good morning. You kept us waiting long enough,” the elder woman said.
As John turned away and walked back to the counter, he mentally rolled his eyes. Obviously, he was destined to be surrounded by grumpy old folks today! “What may I get you?” he asked as the door chimed, announcing the arrival of two more customers. Thank goodness he’d already brewed two pots of coffee; they were going to need it today.
The elderly lady gazed at the tray that John had just brought in. “This is it? All you have right now are glazed and chocolate-covered?”
“Cinnamon rolls are coming.” That was, if Amos decided to bring them forward.
“I’ll have two chocolate for now. And a cup of coffee.”
As he rung the first pair up, he glanced at the new arrivals, and felt his heart jump. Jayne Donovan was standing there. Smiling at him.
He smiled right back.
“Stop standing around and smiling at women, John,” Amos griped as he carried in a plate of ten cinnamon rolls. “You’ve got customers to attend to.”
John ignored the old guy and smiled at Jayne. “Good morning.”
“Hi, John,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “I see you’re pretty busy today.”
“Well, I’m busy getting yelled at.”
To his pleasure, she laughed. “I have to go right to work, so can I have one of those rolls to go?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll get it,” Amos interjected. “You help the next folks.”
With some surprise, John realized that while he’d been smiling at Jayne like a lovesick pup, even more people had come through the door. Including that woman. The Amish woman.
Unbidden, his mouth went dry. “Gut matin,” he murmured.
Her eyes widened and a beautiful sheen of roses lit her cheeks. “And gut matin to you, John. May I have a glazed donut?”
“Of course.” As he handed her one, he looked behind her. “Your son isn’t with you today?”
“Nee. He’s at school.” She paused, then handed him a dollar.
Their fingers touched as the money was exchanged. John was sure he was imagining things, but he could have sworn he felt a little spark between them.
Just as he was thinking about that, Jayne stepped into his line of vision. “John, I hope you have a good day. Bye!”
He lifted his hand and waved her off. “Come back soon,” he said.
Behind him, Amos grunted. “Oh, brother.”
John felt his cheeks heat. He didn’t blame the old guy one bit. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Amos said, his eyes merry. “But there are still customers in line, Romeo.”
John scowled, and would have said something, but just then he noticed the Amish woman was walking away. And he still didn’t know her name!
Stepping out from around the counter, he walked quickly toward her. “Excuse me. Miss?”
She turned. “Yes?”
“What’s your name?”
Behind him, Amos coughed.
“Mary,” she murmured with a smile, before walking out the door.
Mary. Well, now. That suited her, he thought as he walked back to the counter. She really was lovely, and so peaceful looking.
Amos harrumphed. “John? You working?”
“Settle down,” John snapped, then turned to the next customer. “May I help you?”
And so it continued, while in the back of his mind he wondered what the