A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

kidding.”
    Peter shrugged. “I, uh, didn’t have time to run over to Yoder’s.”
    â€œDon’t get me wrong. I’m glad you’re here. I need something to do,” Laura quipped.
    â€œHey,” Mark said. “You said you liked hanging out with me.”
    â€œI do, but I’m supposed to be working, too.” She smiled at Peter.
    When Peter smiled hesitantly back, Mark felt a little jealous—until he noticed that Laura was looking pretty uncomfortable. As she rang up the cans of soup and set them in a paper sack, she said awkwardly, “I love this soup.”
    Peter looked at her curiously. “Why? It’s just vegetable.”
    â€œNothing wrong with that,” Mark interjected. It was obvious that Laura was merely trying to ease the tension between them all. “Vegetable soup is great. It tastes great and it’s gut for you, too.” The moment he said the words, he wished he could take them back. He sounded like an advertisement.
    â€œIt’s low in fat, too,” Laura added.
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind.” For the first time since he’d walkedup to the counter, Peter looked relaxed. “Just for the record, Laura, you don’t have to worry about eating anything low fat.”
    â€œ Danke . I mean, thanks.” Laura’s cheeks bloomed.
    Peter chuckled. “Listen to you. I guess you haven’t forgotten all of your Deutsch?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    Mark moved a little farther away, letting the two of them talk without him looming. Their easy conversation reminded Mark that Laura and Peter had been friends for years.
    Laura had told him that once she’d stopped being Amish, a lot of kids had teased her. For a while she’d had quite a time fitting into a new group. She wasn’t worldly enough for most English kids but was too different for most Amish kids to accept her. She’d constantly made mistakes and was teased. However, her friendship with Peter had stayed true, so Mark didn’t feel too concerned about Laura’s smiles for him.
    Well, he tried not to be too concerned.
    â€œPeter, you still look Amish. Are you?” she teased as she continued to ring up his items.
    â€œI was last time I checked. I’ll let you know if something changes though.”
    She rang up a box of cereal. And then a quart of milk. Mark was starting to think Peter’s purchases were pretty strange. Not only did it seem weird that he was the one buying groceries instead of an adult, it would definitely be cheaper for him to shop someplace else. So why was Peter really there? Did he like Laura after all?
    â€œSo, are you two dating?” Peter asked suddenly.
    Mark stepped closer. “Jah.”
    Meeting Mark’s gaze, Laura blushed then picked up a can of chili. “What about you, Peter? Are you seeing anybody?”
    â€œ Nee . I, uh, don’t have time for a girlfriend.”
    â€œI guess not, seeing as you’re spending your afternoons grocery shopping and all,” Mark said.
    Like a switch had been flipped, Peter’s expression shuttered. “Is there something wrong with that?”
    â€œ Nee ,” Mark said quickly, wishing that he hadn’t let his jealousy get the best of him. If his older brother, Ben, were there, he’d be calling him a jerk. Anxious to make amends, he said, “Sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
    But instead of responding, Peter kept his focus solely on Laura. “How much do I owe ya?”
    Looking contrite, Laura said, “Twenty-eight dollars.”
    After pulling out a wad of bills, Peter peeled off three tens. “Here.”
    Trying not to stare at the amount of cash remaining in Peter’s grasp, Mark kept silent while Laura hurried to give Peter change. “Here ya go.”
    He grabbed a sack with one hand. “ Danke , Laura.”
    â€œSure.” After exchanging a glance with Mark, she said,