Her Forgiving Amish Heart
Rebecca Kertz
Can she forgive and forget—and fall in love?A Women of Lancaster County StoryLeah Stoltzfus hasn’t forgiven Henry Yoder for betraying her family years earlier. But Henry is a changed man. And wants to prove it to Leah. Then a family secret is unearthed, shaking Leah to her core. Henry’s determined to support her in every way. If only she could leave the past behind and open her heart to him…
Can she forgive and forget—and fall in love?
A Women of Lancaster County Story
Leah Stoltzfus hasn’t forgiven Henry Yoder for betraying her family years earlier. But Henry is a changed man. And wants to prove it to Leah. Then a family secret is unearthed, shaking Leah to her core. Henry’s determined to support her in every way. If only she could leave the past behind and open her heart to him...
REBECCA KERTZ was first introduced to the Amish when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew. She enjoyed watching the Amish foreman’s children at play and swapping recipes with his wife. Rebecca resides in Delaware with her husband and dog. She has a strong faith in God and feels blessed to have family nearby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, doing crafts and visiting Lancaster County.
Also By Rebecca Kertz (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3)
Women of Lancaster County
A Secret Amish Love
Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart
Her Forgiving Amish Heart
Lancaster County Weddings
Noah’s Sweetheart
Jedidiah’s Bride
A Wife for Jacob
Elijah and the Widow
Loving Isaac
Lancaster Courtships
The Amish Mother
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Her Forgiving Amish Heart
Rebecca Kertz
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08434-5
HER FORGIVING AMISH HEART
© 2018 Rebecca Kertz
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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“I was trying to make you mad.”
Leah jerked. “What?”
Henry’s lips shifted into a gentle smile. “While you were angry, you forgot about the storm.”
Her anger left as quickly as it had come. “You knew I was terrified.”
“Ja.”
She blushed. “I didn’t want you to see.”
The good humor left his expression. “I understand.”
Leah stared at him and wondered if he did understand, but she didn’t want to discuss her fear anymore, and she prayed and hoped that he would keep her weakness to himself. “You won’t tell anyone?”
He appeared confused. “About—”
“That I’m a coward and deathly afraid of thunderstorms.”
His eyes widened. “You’re no coward, Leah. A coward wouldn’t have run out into the storm to see her horse to safety.”
Leah blinked, pleased by his words.
“I’ll not say a word about today, Leah.” Henry looked sad, and Leah struggled with the urge to do something to make his sadness go away. “No one will know that you spend any time here with me in the store. Your secret is safe.”
Dear Reader (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3),
I hope you’ve enjoyed visiting the Amish village of Happiness in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I love writing about all of the wonderful people who live there. In Her Forgiving Amish Heart, Leah Stoltzfus meets up again with Henry Yoder, her cousin’s best friend. Henry got into a bit of trouble when he and Isaac were younger and on rumspringa, and he unintentionally hurt Isaac and others within his Amish community.
Leah never thought she’d marry. She’d never had a sweetheart or any man’s attention. She’d resigned herself to the fact that she’d only have her craft shop in her future...until Henry shows her the possibilities of what it could be like to have more...
If you enjoyed Her Forgiving Amish Heart, you may want to try A Secret Amish Love, Leah’s sister Nell’s story, and Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart, about Leah and Nell’s sister Meg, the middle daughter of Arlin and Missy Stoltzfus.
I hope you will continue to join me as I return time and again to Happiness where the Amish love, learn and raise children while being faithful to the Lord.
I wish you blessings, good health and much love.
Warmly,
Rebecca Kertz
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
—Proverbs 18:22
For Judith E. French, my dearest friend and the sister of my heart. You touched my life in ways you’ll never know. Thank you for everything. Our friendship of nearly thirty-six years has meant a lot to me. May you rest in peace, dear Judy. I love you.
Contents
Cover (#uf2e7b4d6-f431-5ce1-9c07-00b9977fdfd1)
Back Cover Text (#ua046d6d7-71c1-520f-a08b-5c9e2924dcb3)
About the Author (#u11594ff3-3729-58e9-a798-4c7dfaecf767)
Booklist (#u11594ff3-3729-58e9-a798-4c7dfaecf767)
Title Page (#u56dde457-1d29-53e4-8192-7a8907987d20)
Copyright (#u29e68563-3000-5dad-8e87-955a522c069b)
Introduction (#u84ddbcef-9943-503e-aef6-83486c185764)
Dear Reader (#u329a1ea3-77b2-5727-a674-9da1f7da674a)
Bible Verse (#u6572b036-dcc9-55bc-a1b0-ed326e3419d4)
Dedication (#uaec7e556-de18-5b52-bdad-ba16873972ef)
Chapter One (#uca974f08-5698-5119-a897-3c58e0fa708b)
Chapter Two (#uba9c4da1-4dbb-5304-b626-9606f0d437f8)
Chapter Three (#uc43b49df-143a-5ab9-9ad7-5148e3b3efeb)
Chapter Four (#u74bb725e-af6d-508b-9130-0350ad11ea40)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3)
Late spring, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
She felt the first drops of rain as she steered her horse-drawn open wagon home after a visit to her friend Mary. Leah Stoltzfus sighed as she reached under the carriage seat for her umbrella. She probably should have headed home hours ago, but it had been so nice to spend time with Mary, who’d fallen in love and married Ethan Bontrager before moving into the house her husband owned in New Holland two years ago.
The light drizzle turned into a shower as Leah pushed open the umbrella while she continued to steer her horse. The patter of rain on fabric was soothing, and she smiled as she made a left turn. She was still miles away from home, but the downpour didn’t bother her. Until suddenly the wind picked up, so strong that it turned the umbrella inside out, ruining her rain covering beyond hope. She cried out when a gust tore off her prayer kapp. She tried to catch it, but it was a lost cause. When a sharp clap of thunder followed a bright flash of lightning, she knew she was in trouble. She needed to find a safe place to wait out the storm. She sent up a silent prayer that the Lord help her to find shelter soon. She had been terrified of thunderstorms since being caught in a severe one as a young child.
Yoder’s General Store loomed ahead as if the Lord had provided in Leah’s time of need. Relieved, she pulled into the parking lot and tied up her horse before she ran to the front entrance. Thunder rattled the building’s windows as she tugged to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
Locked! A flash of lightning made her flinch. The rain spilled down in buckets now, and the air temperature dropped quickly. Soaked, she hugged herself with her arms as she tried to keep calm. The wind gusted and blew the rain sideways while lightning continued to flash and was followed by horrific crashes of thunder.
Feeling desperate, Leah leaned her face against the window to peer inside and caught a tiny flicker of light from the back room. Thanks be to God! She hurried around to the rear entrance and hammered on the door with her fist. She waited for someone to come, her heart racing wildly as she tried not to shrink with fear every time there was lightning and thunder. She pounded again. Please, Lord. Please, Lord.
What was she going to do? Worried about her horse, she turned to leave.
The door flew open behind her. “Leah?” a male voice roared above the wind. “Is that you?”
She spun, then stared at the man who gazed at her from the open doorway. Henry Yoder. The last person she’d expected to see—and the last man she wanted anything to do with. He unsettled her. He’d once been her cousin Isaac’s best friend, until he’d betrayed him.
“I have to go.” She gasped. A boom of thunder made her duck for cover, her arms shielding her head.
“Leah.” His voice was soft and near. “Come in from the rain.” He captured her arm gently and pulled her into the store.
Leah was tempted to stay, her fear momentarily getting the better of her. Then she met Henry’s gaze and closed her eyes, debating. Storm versus Henry Yoder. She bucked up as she made the choice to rein in her fear. She sprang out the door.
“Leah!” he shouted as he came out after her.
She halted and met his concerned gaze. “My mare.”
Understanding brightened his blue eyes. He nodded. “We’ll put her in the storage barn. I’ll get your buggy.”
She shook her head, refusing to allow him to see how frightened she was. “I’ll get it.”
Their gazes locked. Henry stared at her, then inclined his head. “I’ll meet you over there.” He gestured toward the large pole-barn structure behind the store, then rushed out into the blinding rain after shutting the door behind him.
Water streamed in her eyes as she ran to her buggy. Her horse was antsy, shifting nervously as she whinnied. Concerned for the animal despite her fear, she took the time to stroke the animal’s neck. “I’m going to get you inside where it’s safe, girl.”
After one last pat, she lifted a leg to climb into the vehicle, slipping on the wet wood before she managed to get seated. Leah grabbed the leathers and steered the horse toward the Yoders’ outbuilding. Her heart gave a lurch when she saw that Henry had dragged open the two huge doors for her. He stood back and waved her into the building, but as she urged the mare closer, he grabbed hold of its halter and led her horse inside. The interior of the structure was dark except for the brief flashes of lightning that lit it up. Leah waited until he maneuvered her vehicle in as far as it could go before she let go of her tight hold on the reins and climbed down. Henry waited for her at the rear of the buggy.
“’Tis a little noisy, but she will be safe here,” he said. Rain plastered his dark hair to his head. Rivulets of water ran down his handsome face and his clothes were soaked, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Come on. Let’s get back to the store.”
Leah opened her mouth to refuse, to tell him that she would wait with her wagon inside the building, but then she closed it and nodded. She couldn’t be rude to Henry after he’d come to her aid. Besides, she wasn’t going to let the man see her as anyone other than a strong-minded individual who wasn’t fazed by anything. Especially by him. Bright lightning flashed, followed by a thunderous boom. She gasped. Except by thunderstorms.
A bright white bolt shot from the sky, and there was an explosion as it hit something in the distance. “Come on!” Henry urged. “Let’s go now before things get worse.” She was shocked, conscious of the warmth of his fingers when he caught her hand and tugged her with him as he ran.
* * *
Aware of Leah’s hand in his, Henry hurried to safety. The storm was a doozy. It had been a long time since he’d seen one this bad. He pulled open the door, tugged her inside, then shoved the door shut against a gust of wind.
“Are you oll recht?” he asked when he saw how hard she was breathing. Her eyes refused to meet his as she inclined her head. A crack of thunder made her flinch, and he reached for her and eased her away from the door. He flipped on the light in the storage room and urged her inside.
She glanced at him with alarm that told him she was as afraid of him as she was the storm. Hurt, he hid his reaction and softened his expression. “’Tis safer here,” he explained. He gave her a crooked smile. “No windows.”
Understanding flickered in her eyes and he was glad to see her relax.
She shivered. He realized that she was cold, soaked through like he was. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He hurried to the front of the store. Behind the counter hung a quilt made by his mother. His mam had hoped to sell it, but with the Amish as their main customers there was little opportunity for a sale, so it hung high on the wall simply as a decoration. Henry reached up, slipped it from the wall rack and returned to the storage room. He caught sight of Leah, off guard, hugging herself with her arms. She was bent forward as if she could shield herself from the raging storm outside.
He felt a painful lurch in his chest as he studied her without her knowledge. Wet blond hair, the bluest eyes and prettiest face he’d ever seen, Leah Stoltzfus was something to behold even as clearly upset as she was. He longed to pull her into his arms to comfort her, but from the look on her face when he’d answered the door, he knew she wouldn’t welcome his hug. She’d wanted to flee when she saw him and he understood why. Years ago Leah’s cousin Isaac and he had befriended some young Englishers during their time of rumspringa. Late one night, while Henry waited for Isaac to join them, Brad Smith and his English friends had spray-painted graffiti over the exterior of Whittier’s Store. When Isaac had arrived on the scene, Brad had shoved a can of spray paint into Isaac’s hands, then dragged Henry with him as he fled while the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance. Brad had warned Henry against telling the authorities who was responsible and promised retribution against him, his family and Isaac if Henry did. This new side of Brad had terrified him, and so Henry had kept his mouth shut and allowed his best friend to take the blame. Isaac had stayed silent and suffered because of it. Henry had waited too long before he’d finally come forward, confessed before the church congregation and asked for forgiveness. The community had forgiven him and so had Isaac. But given her cousin’s suffering because of Henry, and the fact that Leah had avoided him ever since, he didn’t think she had forgiven him.
Henry sighed with disappointment before he eased back to where she couldn’t see him. He made a loud sound to give her warning of his return. With the quilt draped over his arm, he entered.
“Here,” he said as he approached. He tried unsuccessfully not to be offended when she instinctively backed away. He exhaled loudly. “Leah, ’tis just something to warm you.”
Her eyes flickered as she saw what he held. “I’m sorry.” He saw her swallow hard. “I...I’m not exactly fond of thunderstorms.” She seemed surprised by her admission.
He smiled as he moved closer, relieved that she didn’t withdraw as he draped the quilt gently around her shoulders. He gazed at her and she stared back. The room was small, and he could see her fear of the storm in her pretty blue eyes, hear it in her heightened breathing, although he could tell she was struggling to fight it. “Are you warmer now?”
“Ja, danki.” She glanced away.
“I don’t bite, Leah.”
Her head came up and anger lit her expression. “You think that’s funny?”
Holding her gaze, he shook his head. “Nay.” He was glad to see her angry and less afraid.
“How long will this storm go on?” she complained after another clap of thunder reverberated throughout the store.
“Are you asking me for an answer?” he quipped with amusement.
He felt happy when Leah narrowed her gaze at him. Anger was so much better than fear. She’d endure the storm better if he continued to taunt and tease, keeping her fury alive.
“What are you doing out in the storm anyway, Leah?” he asked.
“I was—” She stopped. “What business of it is yours?” she snapped.
Henry shrugged. “None, I guess. I’m just curious.” He leaned casually back against a stack of cardboard boxes filled with merchandise. “Doesn’t seem smart to venture out in a storm so far from home.”
She opened and closed her mouth several times, clearly trying to come up with a retort. Her lips firmed. He hid his pleasure when her eyes shot daggers at him. “It wasn’t storming when I left this morning for New Holland,” she replied through tight lips.
“You went to see Mary and Ethan Bontrager.”
She looked shocked. “How did you know?”
He was starting to feel uncomfortable with his wet hair and soaked clothes. “I know that you and Mary are friends and Mary married Ethan, then moved to New Holland.”
She looked horrified. “How do you know who my friends are? You’ve not been coming to church services or any Visiting Sundays!”
“Ja, but I’m friends with Isaac.”
“Isaac and you are spending time together?” She gasped.
He had to stifle his own spark of anger. “Ja, your cousin has forgiven me as the other members of the community have.” He paused. “Except for you.”
Her eyes widened as she gazed up at him. She was obviously at a loss on how to respond. He detected a flash of remorse in her eyes before she looked away. The fact that she didn’t deny it hurt. “I forgave you,” she mumbled, looking away.
Skeptical, he pushed away from the boxes. “I’m going to check outside. See how the storm is doing.” He hoped it would be on its way out, for it hurt to endure Leah’s judgment of him. He strode out of the storage room toward the back entrance. He opened the door and released a sharp breath when he saw the pouring rain. He detected a brightening in the sky that told him the worst of the storm has passed. The distant rumble of thunder confirmed it. The thunderstorm had moved on, leaving only rain. The wind had left as quickly as it’d blown in.
Henry shut the door. He wasn’t eager to return to the storage room. He’d lived with the guilt of what he’d done long enough. He didn’t need Leah Stoltzfus reminding him of his past mistakes. He still felt bad enough as it was. He moved to the window to stare at the rain until it slowed, then finally stopped.
* * *
Henry was gone a long time. It shouldn’t bother her but it did. Leah listened and realized that she could no longer hear thunder. The small room where she stood had muffled the storm and she felt less frightened. Or was it her fury at Henry that had caused her to forget the storm?
Should she wait for his return? She closed her eyes. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t come back. She’d been awful to him, and she felt bad about it.
He and Isaac talked about me? And just like that her anger returned. She closed her eyes and prayed. Anger was a sin. She needed to fight it.
’Tis not right to be angry or deliberately cruel to a man who helped me when I needed aid most.
She didn’t know how to deal with Henry Yoder—or any man for that matter. She’d never had a sweetheart, never had any man’s attention and her at nearly twenty-four years of age.
Leah closed her eyes. Resigned to being an old maid, she would choose her own future. She ran her fingers across the multicolored quilt that Henry had given her. The pattern was lovely, the stitches neat and even. She always appreciated good craftsmanship. One day, she’d open a craft store where she’d stock quilts just like this one. She’d use the money she’d earned and saved for years, sewing prayer kapps and clothes for other church community members, and making craft items and selling them wherever she could. She also did mending for a few of the women who said they were too busy. It wouldn’t matter if she didn’t have a husband and children. She would focus on her dream and she would be happy. With the Lord’s help, she’d find the peace and enjoyment in being a store owner—and she wouldn’t let it upset her that her father never urged her to find a husband like he did with her sisters. He’d pushed her older sister, Nell, to find a husband first—which she did, although the fact that he was an Englisher had been a problem at first. Then, there was Meg. Three years younger than her, Meg was happily married to Peter Zook, a nice young man and member of their church community. As for her other younger sisters Ellie and Charlie, there was plenty of time for them to find sweethearts, although she’d witnessed firsthand the attention that the community boys gave them. She knew they would marry and have families of their own, even if she never did.
Which bought her thoughts back to Henry Yoder. The only man who had shown her kindness—for a little while anyway. His snarky attitude afterward just confirmed that she wasn’t worth any man’s attention.
She scowled. Not that she would ever like Henry Yoder. The man couldn’t be trusted. She had forgiven him for what he’d done to Isaac. But forget? Never.
Leah wondered how long she should stay in the room. Was Henry upset enough to leave her there? To lock up the store and go home? And what would she do if he did? How would she get her horse and wagon? Were the pole-barn doors locked? Would she be able to slide them open if they weren’t? Panic set in and she had trouble catching her breath. She recognized her symptoms as hyperventilation, having suffered from it once before. Yet, she was powerless to help herself.
“Leah, the rain’s stopped.” Henry entered as she struggled to slow her breathing. She heard him utter an exclamation and saw him rush out of the room. He returned within minutes with a paper bag. “Leah,” he coaxed softly, “breathe into this.”
She looked up with relief as she took it and held it over her nose and mouth. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply into the bag until she was able to draw a normal breath. She could sense Henry’s presence, feel his concern. She was a terrible person. The man had been there for her twice, and she’d snapped at him like a shrew.
Slowly she opened her eyes and faced him. Henry studied her with concern, which eased when she pulled the bag from her mouth. He was taller than her by several inches. She looked up at him with remorse. “I’m sorry.”
He frowned. “What for?”
“My behavior.” For some reason, her voice was hoarse and she didn’t know why.
The grin that curved up his mouth lit up his face and sky blue eyes. “Leah,” he said, “I was trying to make you mad.”
She jerked. “What?”
His lips shifted into a gentle smile. “While you were livid, you forgot about the storm.”
Her anger left as quickly as it had come. “You knew I was terrified,” she said softly.
“Ja.”
She blushed. “I didn’t want you to see.”
The good humor left his expression. “I understand.”
Leah stared at him and wondered if he did understand, but she didn’t want to discuss her fear anymore, and she prayed and hoped that he would keep her weakness to himself. “You won’t tell anyone?”
He appeared confused. “About—”
“That I’m a coward and deathly afraid of thunderstorms.”
His eyes widened. “You’re no coward, Leah. A coward wouldn’t have run out into the storm to see her horse to safety.”
Leah blinked, pleased by his words.
“I’ll not say a word about today, Leah.” Henry looked sad, and Leah struggled with the urge to do something to make his sadness go away. “No one will know that you spent any time here with me in the store. Your secret is safe.”
And for some odd reason, Leah felt dejected as he preceded her out of the room, then out of the store...and as she watched him open the barn doors for her and waited for her to get into her wagon. As she steered her buggy home, the feeling intensified and tears stung her eyes. She had no idea why she was so emotional about taking shelter during a thunderstorm.
* * *
Henry stood near the barn and watched Leah leave. His thoughts were in turmoil. Everyone in the community had forgiven him for keeping silent except Leah Stoltzfus—and himself. Despite his hurt feelings, he liked being in Leah’s company. She was a mystery that he wanted to unravel. It was true that he hadn’t been back to her church community. His family had left after learning about Isaac’s involvement in the vandalism to Whittier’s Store. His father didn’t want Isaac to be a bad influence, which made him feel worse. After he’d come forward and confessed and told the truth about Isaac’s innocence before Leah’s church community, his parents had been so horrified by Henry’s involvement that they’d felt compelled to stay with their new church district. Despite the new people he’d met, he missed his friends. Isaac had been more than generous in his forgiveness of him. They were close friends again, and Henry could never repay Isaac enough for thinking to protect him by accepting blame.
He’d wanted for a long time to return to the church community he’d been a part of for most of his life. He wanted to see the Lapps every Sunday, to spend more time with Isaac and his siblings, and the Zooks and all of the other families he’d known and cared about. After this afternoon he wanted to see and spend time with Leah again. One way or another he’d find a way to make her forgive him—and like him. There was something about the woman that made his heart race. She made him feel alive. From the moment he’d seen her outside the door, he’d known who she was. He was glad that he’d been there to make sure she was all right. He’d liked helping her, wished he could have done more.
Henry went back inside. He peeked into the storage room, saw the damp quilt that he’d placed around her shoulders and felt the kick to his belly caused by her absence. He’d caught her stroking the stitches along the pattern as if she appreciated the quilt and all the work that had gone into it. There was something about her expression that got to him. He wanted to learn all of her secrets. “I’m going to make you like me, Leah Stoltzfus, if it’s the last thing I do.”
He draped the damp quilt over the counter to dry, then flipped off the light and went back into the rear room to finish the store’s bookkeeping. This building was the only one on the property with electricity. The church elders allowed it in certain businesses, although not in their homes and outbuildings. Cell phones were allowed for business use, but his parents were opposed to them so Yoder’s General Store didn’t have one. Henry knew that would have to change if they were ever to increase their business to include more of the English. Until then he’d keep his mouth shut and work in the store. He had a dream of his own and it wasn’t to take over the family business. But he stifled that dream because he owed it to his parents for all the trouble he’d caused them. Now, with his father suddenly in the hospital and his mother spending her days at his bedside, it was up to him to make sure Yoder’s General Store ran smoothly as usual.
Someday, if the Lord deemed it, he would have his choice of making a living—as a cabinetmaker. Not in competition with Noah Lapp, who had a good business crafting quality furniture. But similar to what Ethan Bontrager did for a living in New Holland, making kitchen cabinets, vanities and bookcases. He and Isaac had spent some time in Noah’s furniture shop. He’d loved feeling the texture of the wood, instinctively knowing that he’d be good at cabinetry.
Henry grinned as he recalled Leah’s reaction to his comment about her and Mary Bontrager. Isaac and he had never discussed Leah’s friendship with Mary. He knew because he’d seen them together often enough when he’d attended church service or Visiting Sunday gatherings. Isaac and he had talked about Henry’s secret desire for his future, and Isaac had mentioned that Mary Hershberger Bontrager’s husband, Ethan, made cabinets for a living. His friend had suggested that Henry talk with Ethan about the business. Henry had planned to visit Ethan the next day, but then his father’s recent heart attack had changed everything. He’d visited Dat in the hospital, where his parents had made him promise to run the store. Henry had agreed. Being a dutiful son was the least he could do for the parents who’d raised and loved him.
Unable to be or do what he wanted didn’t mean he couldn’t make the best out of a difficult situation. He’d keep the store open. And I’ll convince Leah to forgive me. He smiled as he looked forward to the challenge.
Chapter Two (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3)
Her family was relieved to see Leah as she steered the wagon into the yard and parked it near the barn. They were all outside, as if hoping that the buggy sound they’d heard was her. She climbed down from the vehicle and faced them.
“Leah!” Mam said as she hurried forward, quickly followed by Ellie and Charlie. “I was worried that you’d been caught in the storm.” Her eyes widened as she took in Leah’s appearance—the damp state of her clothes, her missing prayer kapp and wet hair.
“Ja, I was caught at first but managed to find shelter.” Leah smiled to reassure her and her sisters as she watched her father descend the front porch and approach more slowly. He looked more concerned than her mother. “As you can see, I’m fine.” She met her father’s gaze as he drew close. “Dat.”
“Leah.” He studied her as if gauging whether or not she was all right, then he seemed to let go of his worry. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“I am, too, Dat.” She moved toward the house and everyone fell into step with her. “I’m hungry, though. ’Tis been a long time since lunch.”
“Supper is nearly ready,” her mother said, moving ahead, apparently eager to get the meal on the table.
“We’re having fried chicken,” Charlie added with delight. She hurried to help her mother.
Leah turned to Ellie. “Were you caught in it?” she asked her sister.
“Nay. Got home just in the nick of time.” Ellie eyed her carefully. “’Twas a bad one.”
“Ja,” she agreed.
“Ellie, you should help your mudder.”
“Ja, Dat.” Leah watched her sister run into the house. She turned toward her father.
“Dochter,” he said.
“Ja?”
“Was it awful?”
She knew what he meant. He was asking how well she’d coped with her fear. He was the only one who knew of her phobia. He was the one who’d found her during a raging storm curled up in a ball in an open field, sobbing with terror as thunder crashed overhead and lightning flashed while it threatened to strike her. He’d picked her up and carried her to safety. Despite the fact they were walking through the storm to the nearest shelter in their barn, she’d felt safe and secure within his arms. She was three years old at the time. Her mother hadn’t been home. Mam and her older sister, Nell, were at her grandparents’ house. As young as she’d been, Leah had begged her father that no one learn of what happened. Her father had agreed readily. Her mother was with Meg, and he hadn’t wanted to upset her. And so they’d both kept the knowledge—and Leah’s subsequent fear of thunderstorms—to themselves. As far as she knew, she hid her fear well and her family still didn’t know.
“Nay,” she said and realized that she spoke the truth. “I did gut.” Despite her initial terror, she’d weathered the storm better than usual—because of Henry Yoder. She felt worse than ever before for treating him badly.
Her father’s expression cleared. “That’s wonderful, Leah.” His smile reached his eyes. “Let’s go eat supper.”
Surrounded by her parents and sisters at the dinner table, Leah felt the stress of being caught in the storm and her time spent with Henry dissipate. She smiled as she listened idly to her youngest sister Charlotte’s conversation with Ellie.
“Visiting Day is at Aunt Katie and Uncle Samuel’s,” Charlie said. “Can we bring chowchow and apple pie?”
Ellie arched her eyebrows. “Why chowchow? I’m sure Aunt Katie has plenty.”
Charlie frowned. “Who says she’ll serve hers?” Then softly, as if voicing her thoughts, she murmured too quietly for the others to hear, except for Leah who sat next to her, “I want to bring something I made by myself.”
Leah shot her a look and noted the wistfulness in Charlie’s expression. She smiled in Ellie’s direction. “I think it’s a great idea for us to bring chowchow. The last batch was the best I’ve ever tasted.” She could feel Charlie’s gratitude in the release of tension in her sister’s shoulders. “I’m sure Aunt Katie only brings hers out if no one else thinks to bring some.”
“That’s true,” her mother said with a smile. “So, we’ll bring chowchow, and I’ll make the apple pie and some sweet-and-vinegar green beans. Any other ideas?”
“I’ll make potato salad,” Leah offered.
Ellie grinned. “I’ll make a cake.”
“I’ll help you with the cake,” Charlie offered, clearly happy that everyone had agreed that they should bring a bowl of her sweet-and-sour chowchow, a pickled mixture of the remainder of last summer’s garden vegetables, a favorite among the members of their Amish community.
The next morning Leah worked to make German potato salad while Ellie and Charlie gathered the ingredients to make a cake and her mother rolled dough for an apple pie. She loved these times when the women in her family were all together in the kitchen, but she missed having her married sisters, Nell and Meg, with them.
As she carefully drained the hot water off the potatoes, Leah found her thoughts drifting to Henry and his kindness to her during yesterday’s thunderstorm. The last thing she’d wanted to do was spend time with him, but he’d made it bearable. She’d found herself softening when he’d wrapped a quilt around her shoulders. Leah frowned. She didn’t want to think of Henry. It bothered her that she’d been unable to get him out of her thoughts since she’d left the store.
Forcing Henry from her mind, she concentrated on enjoying the time with her mother and sisters while she made her potato salad and found happiness in the company of her family.
* * *
Sunday morning Leah got ready to spend Visiting Day at her Lapp relatives. Once she’d put aside thoughts of the storm—and Henry—the day spent with her mother and sisters baking and cooking was wonderful. Amish women weren’t allowed to cook or do any work on Sundays, so it was important to make sure everything was done by Saturday afternoon. Leah had made two large bowls of German potato salad, a family favorite. Ellie and Charlie had baked two cakes, one chocolate and one carrot. Mam had baked the apple pie and made traditional sweet-and-sour green beans with sugar, vinegar and chopped pieces of cooked bacon. The green beans fixed this way were delicious cold as well as hot, so it was the perfect side dish to any Sunday meal.
Since Friday’s thunderstorm, she’d been unable to keep Henry Yoder out of her mind. Would he be visiting with Isaac today? Her heart thumped hard at the thought. She wished she’d taken the extra time to thank him, as well as apologize for the way she’d been eager to get away from him. Thinking on it a lot since then, Leah realized that Henry made her nervous. No man ever affected her that way. She shouldn’t continue to fret about it but found it difficult to stop.
It was a perfect spring day, with temperatures well into the upper seventies. As her father steered their family buggy close to the Samuel Lapp house, Leah noticed that everyone was outside enjoying the weather. Tables were set up on the back lawn and her male cousins were already playing baseball in the side yard. She felt a burst of excitement as she climbed out of the parked buggy and reached in to grab the two bowls of potato salad. It looked to be a good time spent with good people. Charlie and Ellie joined her as she watched the activity about the house.
“Do you think Endie Katie wants us to bring the food inside?” Charlie asked.
“Ja,” Leah said. “’Tis too early for lunch and we didn’t bring any breakfast foods.”
“There’s she is now!” Ellie exclaimed. “Let’s ask her.”
Mam and Dat appeared beside them as they headed to greet Leah’s aunt. Her uncle Samuel came out of the house behind his wife, and Leah watched as they talked a moment. The affection between the two wasn’t overt, but she could see the love they shared in the way they regarded each other—and the way her uncle placed a hand gently for a moment on her aunt’s shoulder. Leah felt a little twinge of pain as she realized she wanted a relationship like they had. She wanted a husband and a family. She straightened her spine. If the Lord wanted her to marry, then she would. If not, then she must be content with only a craft business in her future. She’d find joy in her shop and be grateful for her loving family and her friends. She had no right to feel anything else.
“Endie Katie!” Charlie exclaimed with a grin as her aunt and uncle approached. “We’ve got apple pie, cake, chowchow, green beans, and Leah made her German potato salad!”
“So much food,” Katie said, beaming. “Are you hoping to feed our entire community?”
When her aunt looked in her direction, Leah smiled. “Better too much than not enough.”
“Do you want everything in the kitchen?” Mam asked.
“Ja, that would be gut.” Katie turned to her brother. “Hallo, Arlin. I’m glad you’re here.”
Her dat eyed his sister with affection. “I wouldn’t miss this.” His voice softened. “I still thank the Lord that we moved home.”
“Ja. Happiness is a fine place to live,” Missy agreed. “I’m more than content to live here.”
Her father shot his wife a grateful look. Leah loved watching her parents together. There was so much love between her mother and father and her relatives with their spouses that she was pleased to be a part of the family. Not for the first time, she silently thanked the Lord for the blessings He’d given her throughout her life.
“Charlie!” a male voice called. “Want to play baseball?” It was their cousin Joseph Lapp. He tossed the ball back and forth between his hands. “I need someone gut on my team.”
Charlie laughed. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll show you up?”
Joseph shot her a grin. “Not if you’re on my team.”
“Let me put these cakes inside the house and then I’ll play.”
Leah laughed when she heard Joseph’s older brothers groan. “Not fair, Joseph. She’s younger than us,” Daniel complained.
On her way to the house, her youngest sister halted. “Already making excuses, cousin?”
The other members of Joseph’s team chuckled. “Sounds about right, Daniel,” Joseph said.
“Our teams will be even. You’ll be able to play now.” Joseph looked toward a spot out of Leah’s sight.
She froze when she recognized the dark-haired man as he stepped into her view. Henry Yoder. She stared at him, and he locked gazes with her. She noted the upward quirk of his lips. Her face heated as she felt a sudden spirt of irritation. He hadn’t come because he wanted to see her, had he? He arched an eyebrow as if reading her thoughts and she looked away. When she glanced back, she saw Isaac join him. The two men talked, and Isaac laughed at something Henry said.
He’d better not be talking about me!
Flushed with outrage, Leah continued to the house. Henry’s presence made her feel unsettled. All thoughts of apologizing to him vanished. She scowled. She could hide in the house, but she was no fool. He’d know immediately why she was avoiding him, and as he’d told her she was no coward.
* * *
He knew when he heard Joseph call her sister Charlie’s name that Leah would be close by. But seeing her again, despite the unhappiness in her expression as she glared at him, buoyed his spirits. He’d hoped she’d be here today, figured she would be since the Lapps were her family, but he couldn’t be sure. He hid a grin. She was upset to see him. He must have affected her more than he’d realized.
“I don’t think your cousin likes me,” he said to Isaac.
Isaac frowned. “Which one?”
“Leah.”
“Nay, not possible. Leah likes everyone. What makes you think she doesn’t?”
Henry’s gaze followed Leah as she headed toward the house. “She glares at me.”
His friend laughed. “You’re imagining things.”
“Nay. She hasn’t forgiven me for what I did to you.”
Isaac frowned. “That doesn’t sound like her.”
“Look at her. See for yourself.”
Leah had paused to glance back.
“She does look unhappy with you.” Isaac grew thoughtful. “Interesting.” He met Henry’s gaze. “Ellie told me that Leah wants to open a craft shop. Maybe you could offer to help her. You know about running a store and keeping books. She might soften toward you while you teach her all you know.”
Henry brightened and felt a sudden shifting inside of him. “That might work.”
“But be careful how you ask her,” Isaac warned. “Find time alone with her. Don’t let anyone hear about your offer or she’s liable to get mad and feel as if you’re forcing her hand. Besides, not many people know about her store plans.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“I know.” Isaac grinned. “You want Leah to like you? This might just be the way to do it.”
“What if she refuses my offer?”
“Then you try again later.”
“I don’t want to force her,” Henry said.
“You won’t force her. You’ll make the offer, then step back. From what Ellie says, Leah wants to own a craft shop badly.” Isaac glanced toward the gathering on the lawn. “The others are waiting. Ready to play ball?”
He nodded. As he joined the Lapp brothers and their friends for a baseball game, Henry wondered if Isaac was right. Would teaching Leah about running a store be the key to winning her friendship?
“Henry, you take left field,” Joseph shouted from first base. “Charlie, you play short stop.”
He nodded and hurried to take his position. There was nothing else to do right now but focus on the game. He’d figure out later what to do with Leah.
The baseball game was fun, with a lot of whooping and hollering as teammates ran around the bases. When he got up to bat, Henry hit a grand slam and sprinted around the bases, sending everyone before him home. As he slid onto home plate, Joseph was there to high-five him. Everyone on his team grinned while taunting those on the opposite side.
“I told you we needed him on our team,” Joseph said to two of his brothers and Charlie.
Isaac grinned at him. “’Tis great to play ball together again.”
“Are you up for another game?” Noah asked as he and Daniel joined them. Both brothers were on the other team along with the Peachy brothers and Peter Zook.
Joseph laughed. “’Tis lunchtime.”
Henry glanced toward the tables that were set up in the yard. “Ja, the women are bringing out the food.” He felt a rush of pleasure when he spied Leah among them. “Sorry, Noah,” he said, unapologetic, as he watched her return to the house. “Food first. Whether or not we have another game will depend on how we feel afterward. Right, team?” He paused. “After all, we’ve already won. We’ve nothing to prove.”
His teammates laughingly agreed. Henry grinned as they all headed toward the food table. Leah came out of the house with a bowl in each arm. She started forward when she must have heard their laughter. She glanced at him and froze. He slowed his steps. His grin stayed in place as he studied her. She seemed to tense up before she averted her gaze and continued toward the table. She set down the bowls and, without looking back, hurried inside.
The grin faded from Henry’s lips. Getting Leah to forgive him wasn’t going to be easy. He’d have to find a way to earn her trust first. Friends first, then forgiveness, he thought. Then maybe something more. He froze with shock. Something more?
“Hey, you coming?” Isaac asked. “I thought you were hungry.”
He smiled at his friend. “I am.”
“Let’s go then.”
The table was overflowing with food. Henry saw cold meats—roast beef, fried chicken and ham. There were a lot of dishes, including a large bowl of macaroni salad, two huge bowls of potato salad, vinegar green beans, dried-corn casserole and many other inviting sides. On a separate table were the desserts. He studied the pies, cakes and other mouthwatering sweets and was glad that Isaac had invited him. His family wasn’t here. His mother and father had been invited, too, but even if they were ready to return to their former church district, his dat’s hospital stay had made it impossible for them to attend. The fact that they probably wouldn’t have come if his father had been well made him feel sad and guilty. He had done this to them. Because of what he’d done on rumspringa, he’d made it difficult for his parents to face all of these wonderful people.
He was glad that Isaac had invited him. Not only did he get to spend time with everyone, he was able to see Leah Stoltzfus again. Henry sighed as he followed the others to the food table. He could see her, but Leah avoided him like he suffered from the plague. He’d have to be patient. Leah would come out of the house eventually.
Ellen Lapp was among those serving the men and children. Isaac beamed at his wife and Henry gave her a tentative smile. “Henry!” she greeted. “I’m so glad you came.”
He relaxed. “I’m happy that Isaac asked me.”
“You don’t need an invitation—ever,” she assured him.
He felt warmth and a fluttering inside his chest. It had been Ellen who’d brought him to his senses and given him the courage to confess what he’d done first to Deacon Abram Peachy, then the rest of the church congregation. “Danki,” he whispered.
“Henry, you’ve got to try my wife’s vanilla cream pie.” Isaac gestured toward the dessert.
“After you both eat a gut meal first,” Ellen said with a narrowed but teasing gaze at her husband. She held up a bowl. “German potato salad?” she offered them. “’Tis a favorite. Leah Stoltzfus made it.”
Leah made it? He immediately held out his plate. “I don’t know that I’ve ever tasted her potato salad before.” As Ellen placed a large scoop on his plate, he discovered that Leah had come out of the house. She was staring at him, and he stared back unflinchingly and arched an eyebrow. She quickly looked away and strode over to where her mother and sisters were talking with Katie Lapp. He hid his amusement. Apparently, he continued to disturb her.
With loaded plate in hand, Henry moseyed on over to where the Stoltzfus women sat. He was eager to test his theory about Leah. “Hallo. The food looks wunderbor,” he said.
Missy, the girls’ mother, smiled. “I’m happy you think so.”
“I’m particularly eager to try the German potato salad,” he commented with a glance in Leah’s direction.
“Ja, ’tis one of our favorites,” Ellie said. “I think you’ll enjoy it.” She flashed her sister a look. “Leah made it.”
“Hmm. Can’t wait to try it.”
Leah eyed him politely. “I suppose you’ll let me know whether or not you like it?”
“Absolutely.” He smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, Isaac is waiting for me.” He gestured toward the table filled with married Lapp brothers and their wives. He could sense Leah’s gaze on him as he left.
“’Tis gut to see him back with us,” he heard Missy say.
“Why?” Leah asked stiffly. “Did you miss him?”
“Leah!” her mother scolded.
As he continued toward Isaac’s table, Henry couldn’t hear Leah’s response. But he was secretly pleased. Perhaps her mother could convince Leah that her reaction to him was unreasonable. He hoped so. He’d need her to unbend a little before he approached her with what he hoped was an offer she couldn’t refuse. And he’d have to figure out a way to secure a few moments alone with her. He suffered a painful lurch in his belly. He had to do this right or he’d ruin all of his chances of winning the woman’s friendship.
* * *
“Why would you say such a thing?” Ellie asked, curious.
Leah shrugged, unwilling to admit that she was attracted to Henry Yoder but was afraid to trust him. “Everyone has welcomed him with open arms. It bothers me after the way he hurt Isaac.”
“That was a long time ago, Leah.” Mam made a tsk sound with her tongue. “Henry Yoder is a gut man. It took a lot of courage to stand before our church congregation and confess. Isaac has forgiven him. Why shouldn’t Henry be here? I’m just sorry that Margaret and Harry couldn’t come, too.”
Blushing, she agreed. “Ja. I’m sorry. I’m just feeling out of sorts.”
“I’m not the one who deserves an apology.” Her mother eyed her with concern. “Are you ill, Leah? ’Tis not like you to be unkind.”
“Ja,” her sister Meg agreed. She had come with her husband, Peter, whom she’d married last November. “Out of all of us, you’ve the sweetest temperament.”
“Maybe I am coming down with something,” she mumbled. She felt guilty. Henry was a gut man, a kind man, and once again she’d behaved badly toward him. Again. But how could she apologize when just the thought made her insides churn with nervous apprehension?
“You’d better make sure you get enough rest, dochter. I know that you didn’t sleep well last night. I heard you get up for a while before you went back to bed. Why can’t you sleep?”
Leah shrugged. “I felt restless, so I went down and drank some hot milk.” But she knew she’d gotten very little sleep since the day she’d found shelter with Henry in the store. Since then, she was unable to forget being the focus of his intense blue eyes.
“The men have their food,” Ellie said. “Let’s get ours.”
As the Stoltzfus women went for their meal, Leah shot a glance toward Henry and her cousins’ table. A frisson of sensation rippled down her spine as she caught Henry gazing at her with an odd look in his eyes. She stared back for a long moment and tried not to think about how handsome he was or that if circumstances had been different, she would have longed for his attention. She turned away deliberately, slowly, and followed her sisters to the food tables, pretending she didn’t care that he was watching her. Inside she felt a jumble of nerves, but she wasn’t about to let the man see how much he rattled her.
A short time after she finished eating her lunch, Leah had risen to help clean up when she caught sight of Henry’s approach, his gaze focused on her. She stiffened even while her heart fluttered in appreciation of how handsome he was.
“Leah,” he greeted softly. “May I have a word?”
“I’m cleaning up.”
“I’ll take care of this,” Ellie offered as she grabbed the plates Leah held. She hurried away before Leah could object.
Leah shifted uncomfortably as she watched her sister stride away. She arched an eyebrow as she turned toward Henry. “Do you need me for something?”
His lips curved in a smile that stole her breath. “It’s not what I need. It’s about what I may be able to do for you.” He paused. “Walk with me?” When she hesitated, he added softly, “Please?”
When he asked so nicely, how could she resist him? She nodded and fell into step beside him. Thoughts of an apology hovered in her mind.
They started toward the fields beyond the barn. Leah didn’t look back, afraid to discover that others might be watching them. She experienced a tingling at her nape as they strolled some distance away from the gathering. She stopped, unwilling to go any farther.
“What do you want, Henry?”
He halted and turned her to face him. “I want to help you with your craft shop.”
She gasped. “What? Who told you about it?”
“Isaac,” he said calmly. “One of your sisters told him.”
A ball of hurt fisted inside her chest. “Ellie.”
Henry nodded. “Don’t be angry with either one of them. It came out accidentally when Isaac and Ellie were talking. Isaac mentioned it because he thought I could help you. I know what it takes to run a store—about inventory, purchasing, merchandise displays, bookkeeping...”
Leah knew she should be angry, but for some reason something in Henry’s expression softened something inside of her. “I’m not ready to open a store just yet.”
“Will you think about it when you do? Me helping you?”
“That’s nice of you, Henry, but—”
“You don’t trust me enough.”
Leah shook her head because, for some reason, she trusted him in this. “’Tis not that. I don’t have enough capital to look for a place yet.”
“I understand.” But something in his blue eyes had dimmed. He turned as if to head back toward the main yard.
She felt the uncontrollable urge to stop him. She grabbed his arm to halt him. “I’m telling the truth, Henry. I’ll be happy to accept your help when the time is right.”
Henry grinned, and Leah reeled back under the bright warmth in his eyes. “Gut. I’ll be pleased to help you. And if you need assistance looking for a place when the time is right, I’m your man.”
Leah felt her face heat. I’m your man. She had a sudden mental image of him working with her, smiling at her, making her feel special. She glanced away. “We should get back.” She started to walk and he fell into step with her.
“Danki,” he murmured as they entered the barnyard.
She met his gaze. “For what?”
“For trusting me enough to accept my help,” he whispered. Then, as if he’d sensed her unease, he left her, and she watched as he hurried toward the dessert table.
Shaken, Leah knew a strange yearning in her heart, one she didn’t recognize. Still, she managed a smile as she rejoined her sisters where they sat drinking iced tea and sharing desserts.
Chapter Three (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3)
Monday morning Leah exited the house in good spirits. Ellie had been hired to houseclean for a new client who owned a huge five-bedroom residence. Because of the amount of work involved, her sister had requested her help. Leah was more than willing to work with Ellie. She’d put away the money for her shop. Since turning eighteen, she was allowed to keep all of her work earnings. Which was why she made it a point to help her parents as much as she could around the house and farm. It was her turn to feed the animals this morning, and she was happy to do it.
Her thoughts on the day ahead, she descended the porch steps and started forward, then halted abruptly. Her heart began to hammer hard as she stared at the man who stood several feet from her. “What are you doing here, Henry?”
He approached, and as he drew closer, she backed away until she was up against the bottom rung of the stairs. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” A tiny smile curved up the corners of his mouth.
She sniffed, determined to keep him from realizing that she was glad to see him. “What do you think?”
His smile disappeared. “Contrary to what you might believe, I’m not stalking you.”
She blushed. “I didn’t say you were.”
He folded his arms as he studied her. He wore a green shirt, navy tri-blend pants with black suspenders. A black-banded straw hat rested on his head, but he’d tipped back the wide brim. Beneath it, his sky blue eyes looked sapphire. “I’m here to help your father.”
Leah blinked, tried to stay calm. “With what?”
Henry sighed heavily. “He wants to install a cabinet in one section of the barn to store things.”
She gazed at him with suspicion. “My cousin invited you to Visiting Day, where my father just happened to ask you to install a cabinet for him, and all within four days of Friday’s thunderstorm?”
He shrugged as if he didn’t care whether or not she believed him. As if he was telling the truth. She frowned.
Her father came out of the house behind him. “Henry!” he exclaimed, and Leah immediately slipped past Henry before she looked back to watch the interaction between the two men. “Glad you could make it.”
Leah experienced a burning in her stomach. Her dat seemed genuinely pleased to see him. The hot sensation intensified. Henry had told the truth. Why did she continually misjudge him?
Ashamed, she turned away, headed toward the barn to feed the animals. She started to hurry as it occurred to her that Henry and her father would be along soon. She fed all of the horses first, ensuring that each had fresh water and a bucket of feed. Later in the day, she’d return for their third feeding. Her sister Charlie would do the second one midday. She then went on to feed their dairy cows, bull, goats and sheep. She was outside with their hens and rooster when she heard voices from within the barn. When she was done throwing down chicken feed, she reluctantly returned to the outbuilding to put away the bucket. Their two cows needed to be milked, but she’d ask Charlie to do that for her. She had no desire to stay inside the barn as long as she had to share it with Henry Yoder.
Leah froze in the act of putting away the feed bucket. What was wrong with her? One minute she felt bad about the way she’d treated Henry, then in the next she was going out of her way to avoid him. She drew a cleansing breath. She wasn’t going to run. She’d milk the cows before getting ready for work with Ellie. She wasn’t going to let Henry’s presence make her run scared.
Leah found the milk pails and went to Bessie first. Dragging over a stool, she sat down to milk her. The steady, rhythmic sound of milk against metal soothed her, and she became immersed in the farm chore. Once Bessie was milked, she moved on to Annabelle. The cow wasn’t as cooperative as Bessie. The animal shifted restlessly and tried to kick her. She backed away before she was struck by the cow’s hoof.
“Nay, you don’t, you ornery critter!” She turned to get fresh hay and groaned when she saw Henry Yoder, who watched her with amusement.
“Having a bit of trouble, Leah?” he taunted, his voice deep and extremely male.
She glared at him as she lifted her chin. “Nothing I can’t handle.” Annabelle bumped up against her, nearly sending her sprawling. Henry’s quick response to steady her made her grit her teeth.
“Need help?” he asked.
“Nay!” She was too aware of his strength as he released her.
He laughed. “Afraid I’ll do it better and faster?”
“Go away,” she said as she found fresh hay, which she tossed before Annabelle. The animal bent her head, content to eat. “Why are you here? I thought you were with my vadder.” She pulled up the stool and started to milk Annabelle before she looked up at him.
He had taken off his hat and she could see the twinkle in his blue eyes. “I am,” he said patiently. “He went into the house to fetch his drawings.”
Leah frowned. “What drawings?” The sound of milk hitting the inside of the bucket wasn’t as loud as her rapidly beating heart.
“Of the cabinet he wants me to build for him.”
She paused in the act of milking. “Why would he want you to make him a cabinet?” Her voice sounded unnecessarily sharp. Contrite, she closed her eyes and drew a calming breath. Annabelle shifted uneasily, and Leah continued to milk her until the pail was nearly full.
“Because I like making them.” He regarded her without warmth.
Leah studied him. She could see that her questioning his cabinetmaking abilities had upset him. “Have you made one before?” she said, softening her tone.
Henry nodded. “Ja, several.”
She stifled a rude retort.
“I don’t spend every minute in my parents’ store,” he added drily.
He’d aroused her curiosity. “Where does Dat want this cabinet?”
“Come with me,” he invited.
Leah puckered her brow. Believing that she had little choice but to accompany him, she placed the filled milk pails into cold storage before she followed. She studied the back of his head and neck as he led the way through the barn and stopped at a familiar stall. She stared. It was the area that had housed Nell’s dog, Jonas, and her cat, Maxie, then later the dog Peter Zook had given her sister Meg. Now the space was empty. Why does Dat want a cabinet in here?
She must have spoken the thought out loud. “Because he plans to get a dog,” Henry said, shocking her. “With your sisters married and gone, he finds he’s missing their animals. He thinks a cabinet will be a better place for dog food than on the shelf.”
“Dat wants a dog?” she asked disbelievingly. Why hadn’t her father told her?
Henry tilted his head as he regarded her. “You don’t like dogs?”
She shook her head. “Nay—I’m mean—ja, I like dogs fine. I just didn’t realize that my vadder did.” Most Amish men wouldn’t be willing to own a pet. Her sister Nell, who was married to a veterinarian, must have influenced her father more than she’d realized.
Before Henry could respond, her father returned, carrying a notepad. “Here you go. You can take this with you,” he said as he tore off a page and handed it to Henry. He glanced at Leah briefly before turning back to the younger man.
Leah vaguely heard their discussion. She heard mention of wood and hinges and other stuff she couldn’t comprehend. When the men’s conversation ended, the barn became overwhelmingly quiet.
“Dat? You’re going to get a dog?”
“I am.” Arlin gazed at her with a silent look that warned her to mind her own business.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She fought back the hurt. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt a little left out, set off from her family. She managed to smile. “What kind?”
Dat smiled and his demeanor changed from stern to little-boy excitement. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
“I have no idea.” She paused. “We could ask Nell. She’ll recommend a good breed.”
“I already asked her.”
Nell knew. Who else? That feeling of being excluded rushed in again. She could feel Henry’s gaze. Refusing to look at him, she addressed her father. “May I go with you when you pick one out?”
Her father beamed at her. “Ja, but I’d like to fix up the stall before I bring one home.” He turned his attention to the space where the dog would be kept. “Jonas was happy here.”
Leah nodded. Nell’s rescue dog had been happy in these surroundings. “Ja, he was.” She swung her gaze grudgingly toward Henry. He studied her with a thoughtful expression, and she feared that he could read the pain she’d tried to conceal while talking with her father.
“Leah!” Ellie’s loud voice called from out in the yard.
“I’ve got to go,” she said and spun around. She ran a few yards before she stopped. “See you later, Dat. Henry, you do a gut job with the cabinet, ja?” She softened the request with a slight curve of her lips.
Pleasure transformed Henry’s features. “I will,” he promised.
Leah trusted that he would. The warmth in his penetrating gaze had her scrambling to escape. She didn’t want to feel anything for Henry Yoder—even the littlest, tiniest bit of warmth that settled within her chest and reached out in an unsuccessful attempt to capture her heart.
* * *
Henry watched Leah leave before turning back to Arlin. “She seems surprised that you want a dog.”
Arlin had been studying his daughter as she left. He turned his focus on Henry. “She doesn’t mind, though. All my dechter are animal lovers.”
After a nod, Henry quietly studied the paper in his hands. “This looks simple enough. You want me to take down the shelf and put up a plain cabinet.”
“I thought we could leave the shelf and install the cabinet to the left of it,” the man said.
Henry eyed the wall space. “That would work. The dimensions for the cabinet are small.”
The older man inclined his head. “Big enough, though. I’m getting a dog, not a herd of goats.” He chuckled. “The two goats we have cause enough damage.”
Henry didn’t join in. He kept remembering the look of pain on Leah’s face as she’d learned that her father hadn’t bothered to include her in his plans. “When do you need this?”
“When can you get it done?”
He thought for a moment. His father was being discharged from the hospital that afternoon. He’d work in the store but figured his mother would want to spend time there. “I can have it done before Thursday.”
Arlin looked surprised. “Gut, gut.” The man headed toward the door and Henry fell into step beside him. “I was glad to see you back on Sunday.” He hesitated. “I would have liked to see your mam and dat.”
“Dat’s been in the hospital. Mam has been spending all of her time there.” Henry became quiet. “I’ve been running the store. My vadder will be released today. Maybe in a couple of weeks, they’ll be able to come.”
The older man regarded him with concern. “I didn’t know about your dat.” Arlin was too polite to ask, but Henry could see his curiosity.
“He had a heart attack, but his doctor says that there’s no permanent damage.”
“A wake-up call,” Arlin said as they stepped out of the barn.
“Ja.” He saw Ellie and Leah inside the buggy as Ellie steered the horse to head toward the street. He couldn’t tear his attention away from the taller of the two blonde women who sat on the vehicle’s passenger side.
“She can be stubborn,” the man next to him murmured, catching Henry off guard. “Just like her mother.”
Henry’s gaze focused on Leah’s father. “Who?” he asked, but he knew.
“Leah.” The corners of his mouth bowed upward. “She’s the sweetest and kindest of all of my dechter, but she can also be the most hardheaded.”
“I’ve never known Missy to be hardheaded.” Henry noted a strange look enter the man’s expression and saw him stiffen.
“Leah hasn’t welcomed you back to our church community, has she?” When Henry was too stunned to answer, the man continued, “Don’t let it bother you. She’ll get used to you soon enough.”
“You think so?”
Arlin nodded. “Ja. ’Tis Leah. She’s different than the others. I’ve never known her to be upset with anyone for long.”
Henry took comfort from her father’s belief that sooner or later Leah would accept him for the changed adult man that he’d become—and forget his foolish teenage mistakes.
* * *
His father was released from the hospital late Monday afternoon. Henry had worked on the cabinet an hour or two after the store closed. He stopped when his dat got home since he wanted to spend time with him and to assure his parents that the store had run smoothly with a steady flow of customers in their absence.
Henry got up extra early Tuesday morning and finished the cabinet. He had time to make a quick run to Arlin’s to install it. While he drove his market wagon to the residence, he hoped to see Leah again. His heart raced at the prospect. As he pulled his vehicle into the driveway and parked near the barn, he caught a glimpse of the woman ever present in his thoughts at the clothesline, taking down laundry. She must have heard him arrive for she turned and glowered at him.
He climbed down from the wagon and reached into the back to retrieve the cabinet. He didn’t realize that Leah had left the clothesline to approach until she stood within several feet of him. She watched silently as he carried the cabinet inside the barn. Henry set it in the designated stall, then left to get his tools. He accidently bumped into Leah as she entered the barn. Instinctively, he reached out to steady her.
“Careful,” he murmured. She smelled like vanilla and honey, a fragrance that would forever make him think of her. Her soap?
He saw her throat move as she swallowed when she stepped away. “You’ve finished it already?” She seemed skeptical.
“Ja,” he replied. “’Tis a simple design. Gut enough for a barn stall.”
Her brow knit with confusion. “Where are you going?”
He hid his pleasure. It was as if she was afraid that he’d leave. “To get my tools.” When red stained her cheeks, he realized that he’d guessed correctly. Hiding his joy, he swept past her on his way back to his wagon, where he retrieved everything he’d need for installation, including the cabinet doors, which he’d left off to make it easier for him to carry the unit. Leah hadn’t moved from where he’d left her. He didn’t say a word as he walked past her and into the stall.
Ignoring her, he pulled out his tape measure to gauge the distance between the small shelf to the wall corner. He’d crafted the cabinet to the right measurement. Feeling pleased, he placed two screws between his lips before he lifted the cabinet to where he wanted to secure it. Henry pulled his carpenter’s pencil from behind his ear and marked within the predrilled holes before setting the unit down again. He grabbed his battery-operated screwdriver, picked up the cabinet, then screwed it into place. Once secure, he wordlessly reached for a door, which he installed before he secured the second one. When he was finished, he turned. Leah stood behind him, examining his work. She jumped back, startled as she met his gaze. He didn’t say a word as he picked up his tools and headed outside.
“It looks gut,” Leah said grudgingly as she followed him out of the barn.
He met her gaze to see if she was mocking him. She wasn’t. She seemed genuinely impressed by what he’d done in so short a time. Her approval spiked his pleasure of standing in her company. “Basic and solid.”
“You finished it,” she said. “But it’s not one that belongs in a kitchen. I think it’s exactly what Dat had in mind.”
“I just made it to look like your vadder’s drawings.”
She nodded. Her expression wasn’t bitter or condemning. Henry felt his heart open like a blossom in the sun. He gazed at her a long time, then dragged his eyes away. He’d made some progress with Leah and he didn’t want to press his luck. He climbed onto the wagon seat. “Show it to your vadder when he gets home, ja?”
“I will,” she said.
“Take care, Leah.” He turned the horse-drawn vehicle toward the main road. He flicked the leathers and his mare started forward when he heard her shout.
“Henry!”
He immediately drew in the reins to halt his horse.
She walked to his vehicle and gazed up at him. “I’ve decided... I’d like you to teach me about storekeeping.”
He blinked, pleased. “You do?” When she nodded, he felt his heart rate accelerate. “Gut. There’s a lot I can show you.” He smiled. “Do you have a name for your shop?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have a name because I don’t have one yet.”
“Think about a name. It will help you as you reach for your goal.”
He heard her release a sharp breath. “I’ll do that.” She grew quiet. “I should go,” she said. “I’ll see you later, Henry.”
“I want to know the name of your shop the next time I see you.” His lips curved. “We can talk about your plans then.”
“Sunday?” she asked, almost like an invitation.
He nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
When she beamed at him, he left with the mental image of her lovely face turned toward him, her gaze without censure. It wasn’t forgiveness or friendship he’d seen in her blue eyes, but it was a start. He grinned. He couldn’t wait to see her again. She’d become important to him. He attributed his anticipation to his interest in her as a woman and a prospective friend.
* * *
Leah groaned as Henry pulled his buggy onto the main road. What had she done? She’d been impressed by the cabinet he’d made, but was that any reason to ask the man if he was coming to their church service? Like she wanted him there?
She couldn’t believe she’d been so impulsive. Why had she accepted his offer of assistance? Henry Yoder was trouble and she certainly didn’t want or need it in her life. She had enough to contend with. Working with Ellie yesterday had been wonderful. They’d earned a great deal of money, and Leah was able to put a substantial amount away for her shop.
“I can do this. It will be business only,” she murmured as she took down the laundry.
She exhaled with relief. She’d be polite, businesslike, but she wouldn’t give him any special attention. She would express her gratitude, of course. He was offering her his time, and she was thankful. A working relationship with him was nothing to be concerned about.
Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled his smile, the way the sunlight had reflected on the tiny golden streaks in his dark hair. Leah closed her eyes in shock. She was attracted to Henry Yoder. As long as she kept her distance emotionally from him, she would be fine.
“I’ll not lose my heart to him,” she whispered. And she found herself relaxing. She just had to remember that this was Henry Yoder, and she was interested only in opening a craft store.
She’d unpinned the last garment from the clothesline and headed back to the house. She smiled when she spied her father as he came home from a day spent with Horseshoe Joe Zook, Meg’s father-in-law. Dat had been helping Joe with a home project. What, Leah had no idea.
“Dat,” she greeted. “Henry was here. He installed the cabinet you ordered.”
Her father looked surprised. “Already?”
She bobbed her head.
“How does it look?”
“Gut. ’Tis perfect for the barn.”
He appeared pleased. “Come to take a look with me?”
Leah beamed. “Ja. Just let me put this inside,” she said as she held up the laundry basket.
A few minutes later she followed her father into the stall. He went straight over to inspect the cabinet. She waited with rapid heartbeat for his reaction. Why, she didn’t know. Certainly it wasn’t because she worried that he wouldn’t be pleased with Henry’s work.
“Dat?” she murmured as he opened and closed the cabinet doors several times while he inspected every inch of the unit.
He closed the doors one last time, then turned to her—and smiled. “Wunderbor,” he pronounced. “When can you come with me to Nell’s to look at some puppies?”
Leah grinned. “Tonight? After supper?” she suggested.
“After supper,” her father agreed, then they headed toward to the house to see how long it would be before dinner.
She was excited about having a pet. Her spirits rose. It wasn’t because her dat was pleased with Henry’s cabinetwork, she thought. Or was it?
A mental image of Henry rose in her mind, making her uncomfortable. She wasn’t attracted to him. She didn’t like him. She sighed. His kindness stirred up feelings that she could control because they weren’t real. They can’t be real.
Leah became to wonder if she should forget about accepting Henry’s offer to help. Surely, she could learn about storekeeping on her own. It would be much safer that way.
Chapter Four (#u85e5ee56-92fd-55b6-bf90-f9f1d609e6d3)
Leah couldn’t get Henry’s offer of assistance out of her thoughts. Ever since she’d accepted it yesterday, she’d vacillated between telling him she’d changed her mind and letting her acceptance stand.
She was alone in the kitchen doing the breakfast dishes. Her mother was cleaning the upstairs and her father was out delivering his newly built wooden birdhouses to several shops in the Lancaster area. Ellie was on a housecleaning job and she wasn’t sure where Charlie was, but it had to be elsewhere since Leah could always tell when her youngest sister was home. The girl was a whirlwind of activity and conversation one couldn’t ignore.
She washed the dishes, then picked up one from the drain rack to dry with a clean tea towel. She gazed out the window as she dried each cup and dish and found comfort in the simple chore.
“Leah!” her mother called from upstairs. “Would you please take care of the animals?”
“Ja, Mam!” she called back.
Mam entered the kitchen a minute later as Leah put away the last dish. “I sent Charlie to Katie’s with our quilt squares.”
“Too quiet for her to be here.” Leah grinned. Endie Katie hosted their monthly quilting bee, and whenever there was a new quilt to be made, her aunt would sew the squares together, then ready the quilt to be hand stitched by the women who attended the gathering. Thoughts of quilts brought her right back to Henry, as anything crafty made her yearn to get her shop up and running. And Henry was going to help her.
Henry hadn’t mentioned a time for them to meet. If he’d heard him right, she’d see him at church services. But what if he had changed his mind about teaching her? I hope not. She felt a painful wrenching in her midsection. Leah knew at that moment that she would let her acceptance of his offer stand. She prayed that he’d ready to teach her soon.
She hung up the dish towel. “You done upstairs?” she asked her mother as she headed toward the back door.
“Nay. I need to strip and wash the bedsheets.”
“I can help with those,” Leah offered.
But her mother shook her head. “No need. It won’t take me long.”
“I’ll head out to the barn then. Call me if you change your mind.”
Her mother’s expression was warm and loving. “You’re a gut dochter, Leah.”
“You say that to all your dechter.”
Mam laughed. “And each of you is special in your own way,” she said as she headed toward the stairs.
With a smile lingering on her lips, Leah crossed the yard and entered the barn. The aroma of animal dung and straw hit her as she made her way toward the goats. It was a scent that she was used to so she didn’t mind. In fact, she found the familiarity of it soothing. The goats gravitated to her when they saw her.
“Hallo there, little ones. Hungry?” She opened the rear door of the barn that led to the pasture. Then she returned to release the latch on the goat stall and herded them outside. “Some lovely fresh grass for you to enjoy,” she said fondly.
The small animals were quick to frolic about before stopping to graze. Leah filled the water trough near the fence, then returned to the barn to feed the horses before releasing them into the pasture with the goats. She fed the chickens, then went inside to feed their cows, and after that, she took care of their bull, Mortimer, and released him into a separate fenced area.
When all of the animals had been seen to, Leah meandered down the aisle to where their puppy would live once he was old enough to be parted from his mother. Her gaze settled on the cabinet Henry had crafted that hung on the far wall. She sighed. It looked good and it would work well for storage. She glanced down to where Nell’s and then Meg’s dogs had slept, saw matted bedding and frowned. Last evening when she’d come into the barn, she’d put down the fresh straw, but this morning it looked as if someone had lain there.
Her lips curved. Charlie. No doubt her sister had escaped here for a few moments to enjoy some privacy. Charlie was as excited as Dat about having a new pet. She could picture her little sister as Charlie lay back and stared at the barn rafters while she chewed on or fingered a piece of straw. Without thought, Leah retrieved a rake to fluff up the bedding before she put it away. She wondered if her mother needed anything from the store. Yoder’s General Store.
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