Amish Treasures of the Heart (5 page)

“He tricked me! Why should I have to leave?” Jackson was furious.

“I was just having fun with this. I had beginner’s luck, and there’s no reason to get so worked up.” Jake tried to remain calm, he didn’t want to make Ellie even angrier. “I didn’t trick you like you tricked me into de-tasseling the corn!”

“I can’t help it you’re an idiot!” Jackson growled.

“I’ll send your pay,” Ellie said firmly. “Now pack up your things and get off the property.”

She was shaking, but she tried not to let it show.

Jackson threw his gear down and scowled at both of them. “You can have her! She’s a tease anyway!”

Jake could not take it anymore. He was not about to let this bully tarnish Ellie’s reputation. “That’s enough trash-talk. Maybe you want to pick on someone your own size!”

“Are you talking to me, runt?”

Jackson threw a punch, and Jake ducked, following through with a left hook to Jackson’s chin.

Jackson stumbled backward, and Jake reached out a hand to catch him. Once he regained his balance, he smacked Jake’s assisting hand away.

“I don’t need your help,” he grumbled. “Leave me alone!”

Jake watched him walk away, feeling relief that it was over.

He turned to Ellie. “I’m sorry about all that. I hope you’re not mad about the roping contest.”

Jake still couldn’t believe he had successfully roped the calf and won Jackson’s challenge. He hadn’t taken it seriously but he was still pleased with himself for accomplishing another skill.

Jackson stormed off, rubbing at his jaw and fuming. He didn’t believe Jake hadn’t cheated, and he was even angrier that Will was smiling with him and congratulating him. The worst of all of it was that Jake’s stunt had cost him his job
and
Ellie.

They watched him get into his truck and squeal the tires, throwing up gravel.

“Good riddance,” Jake said with a chuckle.

“I agree!” Will said.

Ellie smiled. “So, where did you learn to fight like that?”

“I went to public school in New York, remember?”

She giggled. “Remind me never to make you mad!”

“Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”

He smiled and pulled Ellie into his arms, pressing a victory kiss upon her lips. He just couldn’t help himself.

Chapter 9.

Jake and Ellie worked in the large kitchen-garden, picking some ripe vegetables for dinner. He’d worked up quite the appetite. With Jackson gone, Will had helped him get acclimated with the chore schedule, and they’d been working since sun-up.

Ellie was impressed with Jake’s progress on the farm, and she couldn’t help but think he would make a good Amish farmer after all. They worked side-by-side picking out the best produce, both of them excited to be together after the long day apart. Jake was elated to have her by his side, her company making his hard day worth every ache he felt. He couldn’t help but find pleasure in being around her; he had fallen in love with her.

Jake looked over at the small corner of the garden that was still bare and looked back at Ellie with a sly smile. “You know, I think we ought to put in that celery patch in the bare section of your garden.”

Ellie giggled and looked at the ground shyly. She knew why he was saying this but she still wanted to play along since she wanted so badly to hear it from his lips. “And why is that, Jake?”

“Well if we’re to be married in November, that doesn’t leave much time to get everything prepared for a traditional Amish wedding like you want.”

She suppressed a smile. “Jake Fisher, what kind of proposal was that?”

“Who said I was asking?” he teased.

“I did!” she answered.

“Well,” he said, pretending to think about it. “You are my boss, and I have to do what my boss says!”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Maybe I don’t want to be your boss.”

“Why not?” he asked, playing along.

“Because I’d rather be your
fraa—
your wife.”

He tossed a couple of cucumbers into the wicker basket with the snap beans and tomatoes. “Well, then I suppose we better get busy on that celery patch—that is if you’ll have me.”

“Are you asking this time?” she teased.

He pulled himself up from the dirt and rested on one knee, pulling her hand into his. He kissed the back of her hand ever so gently and smiled. “Ellie Yoder, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“
Jah—
yes!” She threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on his lips, but he pulled her gently away.

“Now, hold on a minute. There’s more!” he said with a smile.

She looked at him curiously.

“Will you teach me how to clean out the nesting boxes without getting pecked to death, and show me how to gather the eggs without having to put my hands under the hens, and show me how to milk the cow, and…”

“Yes to all of it,” she said with a giggle. “But only if you teach me how to rope that calf.”

He laughed. “Oh, I can’t teach you that. We have to keep some mystery in our marriage!”

“Jake Fisher,” she said with a reprimanding tone.

“Alright, I’ll teach you. I suppose it’s only fair considering all you have to teach me.”

He pulled her close and kissed her again. “And just think, we have a whole lifetime to learn it all. I love you, Ellie, and I can’t wait until November. Do you suppose we could plant some of that fast-growing celery?”

She giggled. “Perhaps we might have to buy some from the grocery store in town.”

“But isn’t that cheating?” he asked.

She smiled. “I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”

He chuckled. “See, another reason why I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” she said with a giggle, and planting another kiss on his lips.

THE END!
 

FROM THE CHERRY ORCHARD…Bonus Material

Cherry Pie

Ingredients:

5 cups fresh pitted and stemmed Bing cherries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon fine salt
flour, for dusting the work surface
(see recipe for pie dough below)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sanding sugar

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees and arrange a rack in the middle. Set a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil on the rack. Combine the cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, ginger and salt in a large bowl and mix until the cherries are well coated; let sit at room temperature while you roll the dough, at least 20 minutes.
   
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk into a round approximately 12 inches in diameter and ¼ inch thick. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough, trimming off and excess but leaving enough to cover the edges of the plate; place in the refrigerator while you roll out the second disk of dough.
   
3. Roll the second disk into a round approximately 12 inches in diameter and ¼ inch thick. Cut into 12 1-inch-wide strips.
   
4. Stir the cherry filling to evenly incorporate all the juices, then turn it into the prepared pie plate. Dot the butter over the top of the filling. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water together until smooth, then lightly brush the exposed edge of the crust with the egg wash.
   
5. To make the lattice, evenly space 6 dough strips parallel to one another vertically across the filling. Pull every other strip toward you, folding it in half. Lay one strip horizontally in the center of the pie. Unfold the folded strips over top of the horizontal strip, then fold the ones that are now under the horizontal strip back toward you.
   
6. Place a second strip horizontally about ½ inch from the first. Unfold the folded strips to cover the second so half the pie is now covered. Repeat with a third strip at an equal distance from the second so half the pie is now covered. Return to the center, lay a horizontal strip on the unwoven side of the pie, and repeat with the remaining strips. Trim the overhanging strips flush with the pie and, using your fingers or the back of a fork, crimp the dough to seal. Brush the top and edges of the pie with egg wash and sprinkle with the sanding sugar.
   
7. Place the pie on the heated baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 and continue baking the pie until the crust is golden brown and the juices are bubbling, about 1 hour. Remove to a wire rack and cool at least 1 hour before serving.
   

Pie Crust

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into small pieces
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

1. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and stir briefly until the mixture is aerated. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it’s in pea-size pieces that are slightly yellow in color, about 4 to 5 minutes.
   
2. Drizzle in 4 tablespoons of the ice water and mix just until the dough comes together. (Add the last tablespoon of water if necessary, but don’t overwork the dough or it’ll become tough.)
   
3. Shape the dough into a flat disk, cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then use it in the pie or tart recipe of your choice.
   

German Cherry Streusel

Ingredients:
½ lb. butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 can cherry pie filling

Topping:
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup flour
 

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Use 11 x 16 inch cookie sheet – greased.
   
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, flour, baking powder and salt. Spread batter over cookie sheet leaving margin at edges. Spread cherry filling evenly over dough. Sprinkle topping over.
   
3. Bake for