For the second time in a week, Nelson and Malachi were headed for Marigold. This time Malachi was the one out of sorts, and after an argument twenty minutes ago in front of his house when Nelson had shown up and informed him that he was accompanying him to the Yoders’, his nephew had been silent, staring at the small pot of violets in his lap. He’d gotten the flowers from Owen’s greenhouse as a gift for Junia.
Nelson wasn’t happy about the predicament either. But Phoebe had come over to the farm yesterday morning and pulled Nelson aside. “I’m worried about Malachi,” she said. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Like what?” He’d been in the middle of milking Bernice, one of their cows. Normally they didn’t name their livestock, but she was such a friendly, docile cow that she needed a moniker. Nelson wouldn’t have picked Bernice, the name his little brother Elam had come up with. But none of his brothers liked his choice, Clara, so Bernice won. A thin stream of milk splashed into the pail.
“Lovestruck. That’s the only way I can put it.” She touched Bernice’s nose. “He’s had girlfriends before. I think. He’s never been that open with me about his relationships.”
Which wasn’t surprising. Dating wasn’t talked about much, and almost never with parents. Nelson had kept his dating life a secret from everyone, and he was glad he’d made that decision, considering how badly those relationships had ended.
“But Junia is all he’s been able to talk about ever since he’s gotten back from Marigold.” She moved closer to Nelson, who was finished with Bernice and getting up from the stool. He set the almost full bucket aside and picked up another one. “He barely knows her.”
Nelson nodded and walked to the next cow, Bernice’s sister. Phoebe was right behind him, carrying the stool. She positioned it on the floor. “I tried talking to him,” Nelson said, sitting down. “Told him he was jumping the gun with her. He won’t listen.”
“He didn’t listen to Jalon either.” Phoebe knelt beside him. “Please geh with him to the Yoders’ on Saturday.”
He almost fell off the stool. “What?”
“I’d feel better if you kept an eye on him. I don’t want the two of them being alone together. Not when his feelings are so . . . intense.”
Nelson looked at her, startled at the amount of worry in her eyes.
“I know I’m being overprotective.” She glanced down at the straw-strewn barn floor. “But . . .”
He turned to her. “I know.” And he understood. He was young when Phoebe became pregnant with Malachi, and while no one spoke of the circumstances, everyone in the family knew that Jalon wasn’t his biological father, Malachi included. One wrong decision at an English party had changed Phoebe’s life forever, and while Jalon was his true father and Malachi had never wanted to meet the other man, there had been repercussions for her, and by extension, their family. “You want me to be his chaperone.”
“Ya.” She smiled, but the pleading never left her eyes. “There’ll be an elderberry pie waiting for you when you get back.”
Phoebe didn’t have to sweeten the pot, but he was glad she did. His sister had always loved to cook, and her baking skills were exceptional. “How can I resist that?” he said, grinning back.
While Phoebe was happy Nelson had agreed to escort Malachi on his supper date with Junia, Malachi wasn’t. His normally jovial and sometimes wry nephew was in a mood. Nelson hadn’t told him about Phoebe’s request. He just said that he wanted to pick up his coat from Ella. Oh boy. He wasn’t looking forward to spending the evening with her. Although he was coming by unannounced, she shouldn’t be upset about his unexpected attendance since visiting was a major Amish pastime. But she was so mercurial, he wouldn’t put it past her.
“I don’t need you watching over me,” Malachi said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“Who said I was doing that?” He shifted in his seat. Light snow floated down in front of them, softly illuminated by the small lights on his buggy. Inside, a mini heater kept them warm.
“Nobody. But it’s obvious. You don’t expect me to believe you’d come all this way to get your coat, do you? You could have had Jesse get it for you.”
He was right—not that it mattered. “Someone has to keep an eye on you,” he said. “You’ve gone ab im kopp over that maedel.”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
Nelson scowled at his nephew’s condescending tone. He was about to correct him on the matter but kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to talk about his past, especially that part.
Malachi sighed. “I’m not going to do anything dumm, if that’s what yer worried about. I know better.”
“Yer brain might tell you that, but when feelings start taking over—”
“You think I don’t know that?” he snapped.
Nelson gentled his tone. “Malachi, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t. Junia is the woman for me. I’m going to marry her, Nelson. There’s nix you or anyone else can do about that.”
“Are you sure yer ready to take that step?” He steered the buggy into the Yoders’ driveway. “Even for people who have been together for a while, it’s a big decision.”
He turned to Nelson as the horse came to a halt. “I’m ready for a familye of mei own. A frau, kinner, our own haus. I’ve been saving up to buy that plot down the road from Mamm and Daed. Thankfully it hasn’t sold yet. I can’t really explain why I love Junia—”
“Love?”
“I just know in mei soul that we’re meant to be together.”
The front door opened, and a man came outside. Ella and Junia’s father, Nelson assumed. He thought he heard Malachi gulp.
“Welcome,” the man said as he reached Malachi’s side of the buggy. He looked at Nelson. “I’m Barnabas Yoder. You can park over there.” He motioned to a barn to the left of the driveway and walked toward it.
Nelson followed him and parked at the front of the structure. After he and Malachi got out of the buggy, he started unhitching Crackerjack.
Malachi went to Barnabas, who was standing inside the barn. “Gut to see you again, Barnabas.”
“I suppose those are for me.”
Nelson looked up to see Barnabas pointing at Malachi’s flowerpot. He smirked at his nephew’s surprised expression.
“Uh . . . ,” Malachi said.
“Just joking.” Barnabas glanced at Nelson. “Guess I misunderstood Junia. I didn’t realize we had two for supper tonight.”
“There was a slight change of plans,” Nelson said.
“Slight,” Malachi muttered. “Right.”
Ignoring his nephew, he held out his hand to Barnabas. “Nelson Bontrager. Malachi’s uncle.”
“The more the merrier, I say. Ella made plenty, so I hope you both brought your appetites.” He turned to Malachi. “Geh on inside. Junia’s waiting.”
He grinned and rushed out of the barn.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Barnabas said. They made quick work of unhitching the horse and getting her settled in an empty stall. “Snow should be easing up in an hour or so, according to the weather report. At least that’s what mei last customer told me.”
Nelson had heard the same thing from his father before he’d left to pick up Malachi. “Were you busy today?”
“Saturdays are usually pretty steady.” Barnabas stepped aside as Nelson closed the stall door. “And it always picks up right before Christmas. Everyone’s trying to get their baking and cooking done ahead of time. We’ve got a few specialty items that we’ve almost sold out of.” He crossed his arms. Like Nelson, he wasn’t wearing a coat, although Nelson had put on his light jacket before he left. Barnabas had on a sweater. “Ella mentioned to me this morning that you bought the warehouse. Guess that makes us neighbors.”
He nodded, tamping down the slight nudge of anxiety. Next week he would buckle down and figure out what he needed to do to get started on the renovation. He’d been confident when he talked about his new business with Ella at Pancho’s, but in the days since then, his self-assurance had gone downhill.
“If you need any help, let me know.” They were outside now, and Barnabas glanced at the house. “We shouldn’t keep the maed waiting.”
He sounded about as excited as Nelson felt. That was a little baffling. Was Barnabas as wary about Junia and Malachi’s instant relationship as everyone else? Only one way to find out.
* * *
Ella set a plate of cheese and crackers on the coffee table in the living room and tried to close her ears to Junia and Malachi, who were literally cooing to each other as they sat on the couch. Supper wasn’t quite ready, and this would tide everyone over until the chicken supreme was done. She wasn’t sure why the dish was labeled “supreme” since it was basically chicken, creamed soup, cheese, and macaroni. But it was delicious, and most importantly, easy. She needed easy after the long day she’d had.
“These are so schee, Malachi.” Junia cradled the flowerpot in her hand as if it were made of gold. “How did you know I loved violets?”
Since when? Ella ground her teeth as she placed napkins next to the finger food.
“I’ve got something for you too.” Junia handed him a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with white twine.
“You didn’t have to give me anything, Junia.” But he eagerly tore into the paper. “Wow,” he said, pulling out the perfectly knitted scarf.
“Do you like it?”
Ella couldn’t stop herself from glancing at the two of them. Junia was batting her eyelashes and Malachi was petting the scarf. Barf.
“Ya.” Malachi beamed. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
They were dripping with puppy love, and Ella couldn’t stand it. How was she supposed to get through the rest of the evening? She was tired enough as it was. By some miracle, Junia had finished Malachi’s scarf early, and she’d even pitched in and dusted the living room and stair banister. But she hadn’t lifted a finger to help with supper or do the hard household chores like scrubbing the bathroom or mopping the floor.
“Ella,” Junia said, her smile sweet and totally fake. “Don’t you have to get the casserole out of the oven? It would be awful if it ended up burned.”
The chicken supreme had ten more minutes to bake, and Junia knew that. A part of Ella wanted to plop right down and tell Malachi the truth about her sister. Instead, she nodded and went back to the kitchen. He’ll find out on his own.
She was checking the main dish on the stove when she heard the front door close. She was surprised her father had stayed outside so long, but maybe he had a chore to do in the barn. Mixed vegetables were simmering on the stove—a combination of stewed tomatoes, green peppers, peas, corn, carrots, and potatoes. They were Daed’s favorite side dish, and in the summer she added fresh, cubed yellow crookneck squash. She started gathering glasses out of the cabinet when she heard him come into the kitchen. “Supper’s not quite ready, Daed,” she said, setting two glasses on the counter and reaching for two more. “There’re some snacks on the coffee table if you want some.”
“I just came in to wash mei hands.”
She stilled. That wasn’t her father’s voice. But she recognized it. Slowly she turned around and faced Nelson. “What are you doing here?”
“Hello to you too, Ella.” He smirked and lifted his hands. “Junia said I could wash them here.”
Ella stared at his large hands . . . strong-looking fingers . . . uh-oh. Not his hands again. She blinked, then stepped aside so he could access the sink. “You didn’t answer mei question.”
He turned on the tap. “I missed yer charming presence.”
Her heart skipped a beat. He missed me? Then the full effect of his words—and his cheeky tone—hit her. “Very funny.” It was, actually. She enjoyed wry humor.
Nelson shut off the tap and grabbed the towel off the holder nearby. He faced her, a touch of annoyance in his eyes. “I’m . . . chaperoning.”
Her brow lifted. “Really? You think Junia and Malachi need a chaperone?” After the stunt they pulled earlier in the week, she had to wonder. “You don’t think Daed and I are capable of keeping an eye on them?”
“I do.” He frowned. “There’s a personal reason I’m doing this. Let’s leave it at that.”
“But—”
“You said you had snacks?”
“Um, ya. In the living room.”
He nodded and walked out.
Ella looked at the empty doorway. What could possibly be the reason he felt he had to watch Malachi and Junia so closely? Or was it just Malachi? Did she need to be concerned?
She tried to ignore her curiosity as she finished setting the table. The timer went off and she opened the oven. The chicken supreme still needed five more minutes—enough time for her to pull Nelson aside and ask him about Malachi. She set the timer and went back into the living room. Her father was there, talking with Nelson while Junia and Malachi were still in their own little world.
Ella cleared her throat. “Nelson, can I have a word with you?”
He turned to her, his brow lifted in surprise. “Uh, sure.” He rose from the chair and walked past the two lovebirds, who still hadn’t taken their eyes off each other. He stopped by Ella. “What do you need?”
“Not here,” she said. Then she grabbed Nelson’s elbow and pulled him to the nearest private space—the bathroom. A sensor light came on as she shut the door and leaned against it. The light was dim, but bright enough that they could clearly see each other.
“What in the world—”
“Should I be worried about Malachi?”
“Absolutely not.” He crossed his burly arms, which were particularly noticeable under his short-sleeved shirt. “Should I be worried about Junia?”
She mimicked his stance. “Absolutely . . . not.” She didn’t have the same confidence in her sister that he did in his nephew.
“You don’t sound optimistic.”
Ella dropped her arms, at the same time trying not to pay attention to his physique, which was proving difficult for her to do when he looked like he could scoop her up into his arms—
“Malachi thinks he’s in love with her,” Nelson blurted.
It took a second for Ella to focus on his words. Her unacceptable habit of noticing his good looks had to stop. “And Junia thinks she’s in love with Malachi.”
His arms went to his sides. “Well, at least they’re on the same page.”
“It’s the wrong page.” She sighed. “Junia’s never acted this seltsam about a man before, if that helps.”
“So she’s had boyfriends before.”
“A . . . couple.” Or a few. Honestly, she had no idea. She’d always been too busy to pay attention to Junia’s social life other than when it impeded on her own activities. “What about Malachi? Is Junia his first girlfriend?”
“Um . . . nee.”
“Then I do need to worry about him.”
“Not any more than I do about Junia.” He paused. “Ella, what are we doing? Why are we standing in your bathroom worried about them like they’re our kinner?”
Ella stilled, his words making her realize how foolish they were being. Correction—how foolish she was being. She’d dragged him in here because she was worried about Junia. Why, though? She cares so little for me. “I’m sorry,” she said, too embarrassed to look Nelson in the eye. “I overreacted.” Again.
“It’s okay,” he said.
His sincere tone made her meet his gaze. “Nee, it’s not. I’m not Junia’s keeper. She and Malachi’s relationship is their own.” She turned to open the door, stopping when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
“It’s gut that you care.”
She let out a flat chuckle. “It’s annoying.” She came close to admitting that Junia couldn’t be bothered to think about Ella’s feelings or concerns, much less worry about them. But that would compound an already awkward situation—one she had created. “Supper’s ready. Hope you like chicken supreme.”
“When it comes to food, I like everything.”
Ella turned around and looked at him. His expression was relaxed with a full smile. He’s so good-looking when he isn’t grumpy. She couldn’t help but smile back . . . and the tickle in her stomach returned.