Love Inspired November 2013 #2 by Emma Miller, Virginia Carmichael, Renee Andrews

pie.” He tickled her belly.
    And with that, Caleb was out of the house, leaving Rebecca confused and frustrated. What had just happened? He’d been so warm and friendly with her that she’d thought that everything was all right between them. And then he’d turned cold on her again.
    She didn’t know what to think, and she wished that she could talk the problem over with her mother or one of her sisters. One of the best things about having such a large family was that there was always someone to listen to you and share both good times and bad. But where Caleb was concerned, it didn’t feel right. She was oddly reluctant to bring someone else, even someone she loved and trusted, into her confidence. Whether she kept the job or not, it was up to her to mend the breach with Caleb. The question was, how was she to do it?
    â€œRebecca. I’m hungry. I want pancakes.”
    â€œAll right, pancakes it is,” she agreed. “But we have no blueberries. I can make apple and cinnamon, if you like.”
    â€œYa!” Amelia clapped her hands. “Apple.”
    Rebecca smiled to herself as she pulled out a mixing bowl, spoon, measuring cups and ingredients. Everyone in the community thought that Amelia was a problem child, but Rebecca felt that the problem lay with her father, the troublesome new preacher.
    * * *
    The week passed quietly for Caleb. When he’d met on Friday evening with Bishop Atlee, Deacon Samuel Mast and Reuben, he’d told them, “On Sunday, I raised my voice in anger to a young woman who’d done nothing wrong. I know that some of the congregation couldn’t help but hear my foolish outburst. I think you should consider if my lapse in judgment is reason to dismiss me from my position as preacher.”
    For a moment, there’d been silence, and then Samuel laughed. “We’re all as human as you,” he had admitted. “And as likely to wade into muddy water when it comes to children’s quarrels.”
    â€œBest to leave such matters to the women,” Bishop Atlee had said.
    â€œBut as Amelia’s father, isn’t the responsibility mine?”
    The bishop had stroked his gray beard thoughtfully. “And a heavy burden it must be for a man alone.”
    â€œWhich is why you should find a wife,” Reuben had advised.
    â€œThe sooner, the better.” Samuel had leaned forward, elbows on the table. “I was widowed and left with young children, too, and the Lord led me to a good woman. The only regret that I have is that I didn’t ask her to marry me sooner.”
    Samuel’s words echoed in Caleb’s head now, as he rode in his buggy to Hannah Yoder’s farm. Rebecca had invited Amelia to have supper with her family and had taken her home with her in the afternoon. It worked out for the best because Caleb had been unsure how long it would take to go over the church business, and he didn’t want Rebecca to be out late. It would be simpler to carry a sleeping child home in his buggy than to worry about getting Rebecca home safely.
    She met him at the back door and urged him to come in. “We have fresh coffee and apple-cranberry pie,” she said.
    â€œI thought I’d just pick up Amelia and—”
    â€œDon’t tell me that you don’t have time for a slice of pie.” Rebecca rested one hand on her hip.
    He was about to refuse when his stomach betrayed him by rumbling. Pie was his weakness, and he hadn’t had time to make himself anything substantial for supper before the meeting.
    Stepping into the kitchen, he glanced around for Amelia. He didn’t see her, but his gaze fell on the pie. The crust was brown and flaky, and it was impossible to draw a breath without inhaling the wonderful scents of apple, nutmeg and cinnamon.
    â€œIrwin churned ice cream tonight for the children. There’s plenty left.” Rebecca motioned toward the table, poured him a mug of coffee