Elizabeth didn’t know why she’d hugged David. Mayhap it was his unique scent mixed with sawdust that drew her in. But as much as she liked being held in his arms, so different than what she’d experienced with Adam, she knew there could be nothing between them.
She reluctantly pulled away, reminding herself that David was a friend, one who had withheld the truth earlier that day.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” David said softly.
She bit back a flash of impatience. “We are friends, ja?”
“Elizabeth!” Mammi Ruth’s shrill voice interrupted their conversation. “Help!”
She frowned. “Excuse me. I must see what she needs.”
“Of course.” David’s low, husky voice sent a ripple of awareness down her spine. She didn’t understand why she was so drawn to this man.
She tried to put her strange feelings aside as she hurried to the second floor. When she found Mammi Ruth on the floor, she gasped. “Ach, what happened?”
“I fell trying to return to bed from the bathroom.” Mammi Ruth’s face was drawn and pale. “I can’t get up.”
Elizabeth knew she wouldn’t be able to lift the woman on her own. She went to the top of the stairs. “David? We need you.”
“Coming!” True to his word, he swiftly mounted the stairs, concern darkening his blue eyes. “Are you all right?”
“Please help me get her back to bed.” Elizabeth felt terrible for not understanding how weak the older woman had become.
“Of course.” David strode into the room and without hesitation, bent down and scooped Mammi Ruth up from the floor. He didn’t indicate she was too heavy, as he gently set her down on the bed.
“Denke, David.” She rested her hand on his arm, wishing she could hug him again. “I’ll take it from here.”
“Any time.” He nodded at Mammi Ruth, then turned away to give them the privacy they needed.
“Are you hurt?” Elizabeth asked. “Do we need to go to the hospital?”
“I’m fine,” Mammi Ruth said with a sigh. “I became dizzy but still tried to get back to bed on my own.”
“Ach, it’s a good thing David was here to help.” Elizabeth tucked one of her quilts around the elder woman. “Certain sure I wouldn’t have been able to get you up alone.”
Mammi Ruth frowned but didn’t say anything more. Elizabeth knew accepting help from an Englischer wasn’t something the elder woman would have normally done. Yet Mammi Ruth likely understood she’d still be on the floor if not for David’s presence.
“Denke, Elizabeth,” Mammi Ruth said as she closed her eyes. The woman’s gratitude was a rare gift, and Elizabeth lightly patted her arm.
“Wilkom. Now rest, ja? And call before you get up on your own.”
Elizabeth went back down to the first floor to thank David, but when she found him resting on the sofa, she quietly returned to her room.
Sleep eluded her as memories of David’s embrace swirled in her mind. By morning, she’d convinced herself she’d overreacted to the entire situation.
But after checking on Mammi Ruth, she walked down the stairs to find David had already stoked the fire and was making coffee.
“Ach, I can do that,” she protested.
“So can I,” he responded, smiling at her over his shoulder. “The rule should be the first one up makes coffee, don’t you think?”
“Certain sure others would not agree,” she said lightly. His actions weren’t the usual routine among the Amish, which made her wonder if David was doing all of this simply to impress her. And whether everything would change if a deeper relationship developed between them.
Reminding herself she wasn’t interested in anything beyond her current friendship with David didn’t seem to help. Her mind betrayed her by coming up with what-if scenarios.
Shaking off her thoughts, she set about making breakfast. As she filled a tray with food, she glanced at David. “I’ll ask Mammi Ruth if she still wishes to attend services with us.”
“I’m happy to help her walk, if needed.” He gestured to the tray. “Would you like me to carry that for you?”
“Ach, no, it’s best if I take care of it.” She lifted the tray. “I’ll be back soon, ja?”
David nodded, and she hurried away. The process took longer than anticipated, as Mammi Ruth wanted help getting to the bathroom again, before settling in her chair to eat.
When she returned to the kitchen, David had completed the rest of the meal, putting the food on plates for both of them.
“Denke,” she murmured, taking her seat. She reached for his hand and bowed her head. “Lord, we thank You for the gift of food, and for keeping us safe in Your loving arms, amen.”
“Amen,” David added. “Mammi Ruth is doing okay after her tumble?”
“Ja.” Elizabeth smiled wearily. “And she still wishes to attend church services. Today’s gathering will be at the Moore home.”
“Leah’s family?” David brightened. “That sounds nice.”
After they finished breakfast, David helped her with the dishes. Then he went out to carry in more firewood while she helped Mammi Ruth get dressed.
“Mayhap you need to walk more to keep up your strength.” Elizabeth wasn’t sure that staying in her room so much was good for her.
“Ach, I’ll try.” The woman seemed to take her suggestion to heart.
Their progress down the stairs to the main level was slow, but steady. David offered his arm, and Mammi Ruth graciously accepted his support.
The Moore home wasn’t too far. When they arrived, Leah welcomed them in and showed them to the living area. Extra seating had been provided by the men.
As usual, the men were gathered in one area, the women in another. She noticed Jacob was in attendance. Not that she’d expected him to avoid services. Bishop Bachman was in discussion with several of the elders. She hoped to find a few moments alone with Bishop Bachman after services and before the elders went to discuss community business. David escorted Mammi Ruth toward a seat next to several other women, then moved away to chat with some of the other men in attendance.
She scanned the crowd, noticing the bishop had finished his conversation. Was now a good time to talk to him?
“Elizabeth?” She’d been so intent on seeking counsel with Bishop Bachman that she hadn’t noticed Luke Embers approach.
“Hello, Luke.” She greeted Adam’s cousin with a smile.
“It’s good to see you. How have you been doing since Adam’s passing?”
“Sehr gut.” She found it difficult to appear as if she were still mourning Adam’s death. “Business at the quilt shop keeps me busy, ja?”
“Yes, I have heard your quilts sell very well,” Luke said kindly. “But what about the renovations Adam was making in your upstairs bedrooms? Have you been up there recently? Has anyone been working on them for you?”
Adam must have told Luke about the renovations, but she still found his question strange. “No, I don’t have any plans to resume the work for now. Mayhap in the spring.”
“I see.” Luke’s gaze was intense. “Would you allow me to escort you home after the gathering meal?”
Escort her home? Why was he asking her to do something that would appear as if they were courting? Luke was several years younger than her, and she had never been a source of interest to him before.
“Not today,” she demurred. It wasn’t easy to refuse him outright, but she wasn’t about to accept his offer, either. “I will let you know if I change my mind about the renovations, ja?” Without waiting for Luke to respond, she turned away, quickly joining Mammi Ruth and the others.
Concentrating on Bishop Bachman’s sermon and the songs was difficult as Luke’s question reverberated through her mind.
It didn’t make sense that Luke or Jacob would show an interest in her, when they had never looked at her twice before. Jacob had been married to Anna, while Luke had been seen walking with Rebecca last fall. Although it could be that Rebecca had lost interest in Luke. She wouldn’t know, because she didn’t waste time keeping up on community gossip.
The way he’d asked about the renovations, which had sat idle for months now, niggled at her. She felt certain that Luke was asking for some other reason than being concerned for her welfare.
Yet she couldn’t imagine what his motive might be.
David had noticed the younger man talking to Elizabeth but hadn’t been close enough to hear what he’d said. He focused on Bishop Bachman’s voice, enjoying the cadence and rhythm since he couldn’t understand everything the elder man said in Pennsylvania Dutch. And he enjoyed the singing of hymns, too.
He thought about trying to get a moment alone with the bishop to express his desire to become Amish, but his past held him back. Did he deserve such grace? Perhaps not.
After eating the noon meal, it was time to clean up and head home. He joined the men in removing the extra seating, while Elizabeth worked with the women to take care of the food.
Mammi Ruth leaned heavily on his arm as they walked back. He glanced at Elizabeth, hoping she’d understand his concern. She frowned and nodded.
“I’ll help you get upstairs to your room,” he offered.
“Denke,” Mammi Ruth whispered. Elizabeth followed them up, then took over the caretaking.
When she joined him in the living room, he could tell she was concerned. “Do you think she’ll be able to stay home alone once we go back to work at the Amish Shoppe?”
“Ach, certain sure I can ask for assistance. Mary Moore, Leah’s mother, has already offered to stop in each day.”
“That would help,” he agreed. “Did you get a chance to talk to Bishop Bachman?”
“No.” She frowned. “I attempted to do so, but he was busy. I wanted to ask about the Amish helping to rebuild your house, too. But as Jacob stayed away, I felt there was no need to bother him immediately. Although that was before Luke Embers, Adam’s cousin, approached and asked me to walk home with him.”
“He did?” David shouldn’t have been surprised. She was an attractive woman.
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter.” She shrugged. “I will not change my mind about courting either man.”
“Of course, your wishes should be honored,” he agreed. Still, he wondered about the two men showing interest so closely together. Then again, he wasn’t privy to Amish courting rituals. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Ach, most of our chores have been done, ja?” She watched him closely. “What would you do if you were at home?”
“I would probably work,” he said in a low voice. “I know that is viewed as wrong but keeping busy is important for me. Otherwise, I spend too much time in my thoughts, dwelling on the mistakes I’ve made in the past.”
“Certain sure we have all made mistakes.”
“Not all mistakes are considered equal,” he argued. “A man died because of my inability to control my anger.”
“Ja, loss of life is serious, but so are many sins. And God knows what is in your heart, David.”
“I hope so.” He stared down at his hands for a moment, seeing the bloody knuckles he’d experienced six years ago, then quickly rose to his feet. “I’d like to take a walk outside for a bit, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” She regarded him thoughtfully, but didn’t press him for more.
David swept a keen eye over the area as he strolled around Elizabeth’s property. He wasn’t entirely sure where her property ended and Jacob’s took over.
The Amish didn’t draw those sorts of lines in the sand; they were all about sharing among the community.
A way of life that would have benefited those outside the Amish community, as well.
There were cows and horses in the pasture, and he noticed an old rusty manual plow partially covered with snow near Jacob’s barn. Nothing else looked out of place, though, so he kept walking.
Upon reaching Elizabeth’s barn, he examined the ground carefully but didn’t find any additional footprints indicating someone had been there recently. The padlock he’d placed also appeared undisturbed.
Small comfort, he thought as pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. He did a quick check of the interior, finding nothing amiss. After securing the padlock, he moved on.
The barn was a large structure, and as he walked around it, he thought about how Elizabeth had given away the livestock. He wondered if that meant that come spring, the barn would be lifted off its concrete floor and moved to another location, too.
The Amish didn’t let anything go to waste. Another admirable trait he wished more people would adapt.
His thoughts veered toward the fire that had destroyed his house. He wanted to ask Liam if he’d found anything more from the shooting incident at the Green Lake Grill, but without a phone or a horse and buggy, the only way to get information would be to walk into town.
Not that he minded walking, but that meant leaving Elizabeth and Ruth alone. Something he wasn’t willing to do.
As he rounded the barn, he saw a tall man standing outside the neighboring house about thirty yards away. David eased closer to the edge of the barn, hiding himself as he tried to see the man’s features more clearly.
The guy was tall, and when the man began to pace impatiently back and forth, David caught a glimpse of his face. No surprise, he recognized him as Jacob.
His behavior was odd, though. Why was he walking around outside his own home? Then David saw a second man approach.
Like Jacob, he wore Amish clothing. The collar of his coat made it difficult to see his face, but he appeared younger and he did not have a beard, indicating he was not married. For sure the newcomer was shorter than Jacob, by a good four to five inches. But the guy didn’t have the same stocky build as the man he’d chased through the Amish Shoppe that first night.
There were no trees or other places to seek cover between Elizabeth’s barn and the area where Jacob and the other man stood, so he couldn’t get any closer to see exactly what they were doing.
Jacob was scowling, although from what David could tell that was hardly unusual. He’d never seen Jacob smile. The second man stood a few feet away from Jacob as if he didn’t want to get too close.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Jacob’s harsh tone traveled across the distance, loud enough for David to hear.
“What do you care?” the second man asked. “I can court whomever I choose.”
It occurred to David they were speaking English, which was a bit unusual. Then again, the language was more commonly used among the younger Amish who interacted with the public.
To his knowledge, Jacob didn’t interact with the public. He only ran his farm, sharing the proceeds with the Amish community, not selling his goods in a store.
At that moment the second man turned just enough that David could see his face. His pulse spiked as he recognized Luke Embers, the man who’d asked to escort Elizabeth home from services.
Adam’s cousin was talking to Adam’s best friend. Something wasn’t right here. Should he go out and confront them?
“Leave Elizabeth alone,” Jacob said sternly.
“Why, so you can have her?” Luke asked, a slight sneer in his tone. “Is this really why you wanted to talk to me? To discuss Elizabeth? I thought you were interested in doing business.”
“Leave her alone, Luke,” Jacob repeated. Then he turned and strode back up to the house.
Luke stood still for a moment, before turning to leave as well. David eased around the barn, watching as the younger man headed over to his horse and buggy parked in the driveway. Moments later, Luke was gone.
The interchange had been centered on Elizabeth. Yet he found it telling that the discussion had been so clinical. Stay away from Elizabeth, Jacob had said, not because he liked or cared for her, but just a command to stay away. And Luke’s response, claiming he could court whomever he wanted, had lacked any warmth, too.
The absence of emotion on both sides was concerning.
He’d expect that if one of them had true feelings for Elizabeth, they would have mentioned them.
And what had Luke meant about doing business? What sort of business was Luke involved in? David knew all the Amish shop owners by name and by face.
Luke Embers was not one of them.
Could he have some sort of business where he sold things elsewhere? Maybe. David knew Rachel Miller owned and operated a small restaurant in the downtown area of Green Lake, located outside the Amish community. Maybe Luke did the same.
When both men were gone, he resumed his walk around the property. Then, when he knew he couldn’t avoid Elizabeth any longer, he headed back to the house.
Today he felt like an interloper, rather than a guest. David knew the change had come from within him, not Elizabeth.
Yet there wasn’t anything he could do about it, other than to push through the discomfort. His work was what kept him on track. Without it, he felt lost.
Thankfully, tomorrow they could get back to doing actual work. Keeping busy would be a welcome relief, yet going to his workshop meant leaving the women alone, and he knew he couldn’t do that. He sighed, stomped his feet to remove the worst of the snow, then stepped inside.
Hearing the murmur of voices coming from the second floor made him realize Elizabeth was still upstairs with her mother-in-law. After taking off his winter coat, hat and boots, he moved closer to the stairwell leading up to the second-story bedrooms, enjoying the sound of Elizabeth’s voice.
He could listen to her sweet voice all day long, even if he didn’t understand everything she was saying. The sense of peace that often eluded him fell softly around his shoulders.
Over dinner consisting of leftover soup and boiled potatoes, he filled Elizabeth in on the brief interchange he’d overheard between Jacob and Luke.
Her brow furrowed in a frown. “Ach, while the interest in me is strange, the conversation sounds innocent enough.”
David didn’t necessarily agree. “What business was Luke talking about?”
“I’m not sure, maybe something to do with the wind-powered water pump that he and Adam created, it’s been a popular addition among the Amish.” She managed a smile. “I’m grateful for that, certain sure.”
He nodded slowly, then thought about the fragment of conversation he’d overheard. “They issued no threat, that’s true. But there was definite tension between them.”
“As I read from the Bible to Mammi Ruth, I understood that I should look at the attention from Luke and Jacob differently. Focusing only on the negative side of things, rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt, isn’t the right way. I would rather not think the worst of either man, ja?”
He frowned. “But their behavior was still strange, Elizabeth. Jacob warned Luke to stay away.”
She sighed and nodded. “Mayhap there was some disagreement between them on how to handle me, as Adam’s widow.” She managed a smile. “They likely seek to honor my deceased husband, despite me repeatedly telling them it’s not necessary. I’m sure their attention will wane now that they are aware of my feelings.”
David let it go. She could be right about Jacob and Luke. It occurred to him that the discussion between the two Amish men hadn’t mentioned him as a potential threat to Elizabeth’s favor. They didn’t say anything about getting rid of David or trying to keep him from spending time with Elizabeth. They saw him as an Englisch outsider, and therefore not someone to be taken seriously. And they were probably right, as Bishop Bachman would want Elizabeth to marry someone within the community.
If she ever decided to remarry at all.
As much as he hated to admit it, he sensed the Amish men weren’t responsible for setting his house on fire, and shooting at him.
The real culprit had to be someone close to Carson Wells. And his sole purpose was to extract revenge.