A Path Made Plain by Lynette Sowell Read Free Book Online Page B

receptionist, a woman with tinted blonde hair and wearing an Englisch pantsuit. “I’m here to see Mr. Miller.”
    “You must be Elizabeth Yoder. He’s expecting you.” The woman pointed to a short hallway with four doors, two on each side. “Last door on the right.”
    “This is a great deal of money you’re paying them,” Aenti Sarah whispered as she trotted behind Betsy.
    Betsy slowed her stride. She hadn’t been thinking of how much shorter Aenti Sarah was than her. Instead, she’d been thinking of the bank check written out for her lease and deposit on the bakery.
    “I know, Aenti .” Oh, but yes, she had lain awake last night for hours thinking about the amount of money she’d be spending over the next six months.
    Mr. Miller, the real estate agent, looked up from his desk. “Good to see you, Miss Yoder. Are you ready to sign the paperwork?”
    She glanced at Aenti Sarah then nodded. “Yes, sir.”
    They took the pair of seats across from Mr. Miller as he pulled a file from the stack on his desk.
    “All right, here’s your lease for a period of six months, like we discussed. Read and initial each page to verify you understand what you’re signing.”
    Betsy skimmed the pages. Yes, the zoning was in order for the property, something she’d checked before inquiring about a lease. The lease included permission for her to have modifications performed on the building to transform it into a bakery and eat-in shop. She could alter the floors, install appliances and vents, paint the walls. She would be responsible for any building permits, exterminator costs, as well as any inspections to the property for health and safety codes.
    This is a great deal of money . Aenti ’s words rang in her ears even as the older woman sat beside her silently. She nodded as she reread the lease.
    “Do you need a pen?”
    Betsy looked up to see Mr. Miller holding up a pen of iridescent plastic. “Yes. Please. Thank you.” They’d had the pens personalized: Miller and Stoltzfus, real estate agents. The company had come highly recommended by several in the village. The Miller and Stoltzfus families were both Mennonite, mostly, and ran a brisk business by helping conduct some of the real estate transactions in the area.
    She looked at the shiny pen and blinked. Sign .
    Betsy initialed each page after she read it, then put her signature on the line on the last page of the lease above her name. She pushed the lease back across the desk to Mr. Miller and exhaled.
    “You have yourself a bakery, Miss Yoder.” The man beamed.
    “It’s almost a bakery. We’re going to start working on it right away.” She wasn’t sure if she should get up now, shake hands with the man. She did want to scurry back to the kitchen and get working. But she was a business owner. There was more to her bakery than baking.
    “Well, you let me know when your grand opening is, and we’ll be sure to bring the office staff by for a round of pie.” Mr. Miller stood. “I’ll make copies of the lease agreement so you can have one for your records.”
    Betsy nodded. “Good.”
    He left the room, and Betsy glanced at Aenti Sarah. “It’s done.”
    “It is.” Her forehead wrinkled. “What will you do if money doesn’t start coming in right away?”
    “It will. It has to.” She would look at the possibilities of the future, otherwise the question would follow her everywhere. Betsy pulled out the envelope containing a bank check for her deposit and first month’s prorated rent.
    “All right, I have your copy here. And all I need from you now is a check for your deposit. You do remember we prorated your rent for the remainder of October?”
    “Yes, Mr. Miller. It’s all here.” She held out the envelope. He tore one side off and pulled out the check.
    “Very good. On the first of November, you can make your payment here or leave it in our night depository by the front door.”
    Betsy stood, with Aenti Sarah standing as well. “Thank you.”