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  “Let’s.”

  Together they headed past the barn and into the cow paddock. “We will not have cows,” he stated flatly.

  She laughed. “You never want to see one again when you go?”

  “When I leave here, you're right, I’ll be happy if I never see one again.”

  “Okay, I’ll remember that. I’m off to visit Jessie when she finishes work today. Maybe I’ll wait until after dinner. Jah, that’s what I’ll do.”

  “How is she?”

  “Good. I think. I haven’t seen her for a while. She’s working hard at her new job.”

  They walked a little further through the grassy fields. “Denke for waiting for me, Olive.”

  She smiled on hearing him speak a word of Pennsylvania Dutch. It was another thing he had to learn if he was to communicate and feel comfortable with those in the community. “Of course I would. It’s unbelievable that you’d join us. This was the very last thing that I thought would happen. I mean, when I first met you—”

  “I was a jerk. I know. A total jerk.”

  Olive laughed. “Nee, you weren’t a total one.” She held up her hand, and placed her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “About this much of a one.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t know what would’ve become of Leo and me if you hadn’t come into our lives. This is the perfect life for us, and I’m focusing on what’s important for this life and eternity.”

  “I’m happy to hear it. I was hoping it wouldn’t be too hard after you were used to so many luxuries. You could have anything you wanted.”

  “What I want is things that money cannot buy. Being right with God doesn’t hinge on finances. What use is money when it all boils down? We can’t take it with us.”

  It filled Olive’s heart with gladness to hear him speak those words.

  When Jessie arrived home, she needed advice and went in search of her brother. He was a man; he would know how they think. He had crutches now and was no longer confined to his room. She looked downstairs, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  “Can you help me with dinner, Jessie?”

  “Jah, Mamm, I’ll be there in a minute.” She raced upstairs and stuck her head into her bruder’s room and saw him resting. “There you are. I need to talk with you.”

  His jaw dropped. “Again?”

  “Don’t be like that, Mark, it’s important. Can we talk after dinner? I’ve got to help Mamm now.”

  Begrudgingly, he slowly nodded. “Okay.”

  She knew he was less than enthusiastic, but she had no one else. Jessie hurried away to help with the dinner and when she got to the kitchen Mamm was peeling the vegetables.

  Mamm looked up at her. “How was your day? You look a little worried.”

  “I just had an awful conversation with my boss’ son about Gott and the community.”

  “Don’t let things like that upset you. Not everyone will believe.”

  “I know, but it wasn’t like that. He said awful things about our way of life.”

  “He’s entitled to think what he wants, Jessie. It’s best to pay people like him no mind. He’s an Englischer.”

  She wanted to explain how horrible Donovan had been, but didn’t want to repeat the awful things he'd said.

  “That’s why we remain separate from the people of the world,” her mudder added.

  Jessie nodded as she sat down to shell the peas from the mountain of peapods.

  When dinner was over and the kitchen cleanup done, Jessie followed her brother back up to his bedroom so they could speak privately.

  He lowered himself carefully onto his bed. “Okay, what is it you want to tell me or ask me?”

  She sat on the other side of his bed and faced him. “I had the most horrid day. The boss’ son, Donovan, tricked me into going to lunch with him and…”

  He raised a sceptical eyebrow. “How could he do that?”

  She lifted her hand to silence him. “Let me tell you everything first and then you can ask questions.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “So, he tricked me by saying he wanted my opinion about a competitor's restaurant. While we were at lunch, I found out he’s unethical, and he said horrible things about the Amish people as a whole.”

  “He’s entitled to believe as he wishes.”

  “Jah, that’s what Mamm said, but he was insulting to me. Anyway, I said I wanted to leave and then he drove me back to work, and we didn’t even have lunch.” She drew a breath. “When I got out of the car, who do you think was standing there?”

  “His wife?”

  “Nee. He’s not married.” Jessie laughed as she leaned over and hit his arm. “Nee, it was Elijah.”

  Mark lifted an eyebrow. “What was he doing there?”

  “He told me yesterday he was going to start doing construction work with his onkel. I didn’t know he meant right away. He was standing there with his onkel. They’d come to give Donovan a quote on building something for his mudder.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “It gets worse than that.”

  Mark rolled his eyes.

  Jessie continued, “When they walked away, I heard Donovan say he was just back from taking his girl to lunch.”

  Mark looked away from her and scratched his head. “That’s definitely not good.”

  “He could’ve meant that I was ‘his girl’ because I work for his mudder.”

  “Nee, men say things like that to show ownership of a girl. It was deliberate. He would’ve seen the interaction you and Elijah had, and he didn’t like it. I’d say Donovan wants you for himself.” One eyebrow rose, just slightly, as he asked, “Have you given him any encouragement?’

  “Really, you think he likes me? But from what he said, he despises the Amish.”

  “Did you give him encouragement? Answer me.”

  She wasn’t quite sure what he meant. Was sitting with him at lunch encouragement? Was asking him questions? “Nee, I don’t think so.”

  “Thing is, if he said that within your hearing, what would he have said when you were further away?”

  Jessie gasped. “You think he’s said something else to Elijah about me?”

  “It’s possible.” Mark scratched his chin. “What were you thinking, going to lunch with Donovan when it’s Elijah you like?”

  Jessie looked down. He’d come to the same conclusion she had. “It was stupid. I know that.”

  “Do you like Donovan?”

  “I did like him, I thought I did, but not now. I think he’s horrid. He is handsome and all that, but he doesn’t seem a gut kind of person. He’s a bad person.”

  “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a bad person. He might have made bad choices.”

  “Jah, a lot of them I’d say, and he’s willing to make a lot more just to make money. That’s practically all he talks about.”

  “If you hadn’t gone to have lunch with him you wouldn’t know all this and you wouldn’t be so upset. It seems you might like this man more than you admit.”

  “Even if I did, where would that leave me? It’s clear he’ll never join us like Blake has.”

  “Blake’s not fully Amish yet.”

  “He will be, though, as soon as he can. It takes time and he can’t get baptized until the bishop thinks he’s stayed with the Hiltys for long enough. He’s well on the way.”

  “I hope so, for Olive’s sake.” Mark lifted his leg a little and stretched it out. “It’s getting itchy under the cast.”

  “That means it’s getting better. Anyway, what advice can you give me?”

  “Don’t be worried and leave everything in Gott’s hands.”

  Jessie huffed and rolled her eyes. “That’s easy for you to say, but what if there’s something Gott wants me to do? Maybe there’s something I’ve gotta do.”

  “Then He’ll make it clear to you. Don’t worry so much. It’ll all work out. Have faith.”

  Jessie licked her lips. “Do you want me to tell you all the horrid things
Donovan said?”

  Mark frowned. “Nee, I don’t want to fill my mind with that kind of thing, and you should do your best to keep it out of your head. The Scripture says to keep your mind on all that is pure and good.”

  “Okay.” She stood up and patted Mark on the shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Nee, I’ll have a rest here for a while. But a word of advice before you leave.”

  “Jah?”

  “Think of others before yourself. Don’t be so consumed with your own problems that you’re not there for those who need you.”

  Jessie nodded. “Got it.” Jessie left her bruder and went down to help Mamm. As soon as she walked into the kitchen, the back door opened. She turned to see Olive. “Olive, come in.”

  Jessie’s mudder said, “Hello, Olive. You’ve just missed dinner, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Mrs. Miller. I’ve eaten. I just wanted a quick word with Jessie.”

  Mrs. Miller smiled. “I’ll put the kettle on so you can have a nice cup of tea with Jessie.”

  “Denke, Mrs. Miller.”

  Mrs. Miller gave the table a final wipe before she prepared the tea, and then she left the two girls alone.

  “What happened today?” Olive whispered.

  “Have you been speaking to Elijah?”

  “Jah, he won’t talk about you. I asked him how the buggy ride went, and he said the subject of you is closed. I know he went out to where you work. I heard Onkel Henry and Elijah talking about possibly getting a job there.”

  Jessie bit her lip. She was a closed subject to Elijah. She’d gone full circle; she had no prospects of a husband, then she thought she had two, and now she was back to none.

  “Well?” Olive asked.

  “I’ll get you cookies, or would you prefer cake?” Jessie pushed her chair out to stand up.

  “Neither. Talk to me, Jessie. What’s going on?” Olive took hold of Jessie’s hand and pulled her back down in the chair.

  Jessie took a deep breath and told her about Donovan, the horrible things he’d said and then seeing Elijah when she got back to the B&B. “Worst of all, Donovan made it sound like we were boyfriend and girlfriend. He was so convincing. I nearly believed him myself.” Jessie sighed and put her head in her hands. “I’ve made a mess of things.”

  “Don’t worry. Blake seemed horrible at the start, and I found out he was only that way for a reason. He was struggling with things from his past,” Olive said.

  “So, you think that Donovan might not be a horrible man? Is that what you’re saying?” Jessie raised her head.

  Olive licked her lips. “It’s always possible. I’d love you to be married to my bruder but if you like this other man better, it’s best you don’t encourage Elijah. He deserves someone who believes he’s the best.”

  Jessie breathed out heavily. She liked them both, and if what Olive said was true Donovan might be acting horrible for a reason. There could be hope after all. Maybe he didn’t believe all those horrible things he said about the community. “Denke for coming to see me. I’ve not wanted to speak to you about Donovan because I know you want me and Elijah to be together.”

  “I still do.” Olive gave a little laugh.

  Remembering her brother’s words, she didn’t want to be a selfish friend. “How are Blake and his little son, Leo?”

  “They’re fine; they like the community, which is gut for me.” Olive giggled, and her face flushed a shade of deep pink.

  “It’s nice you both found each other, and his little boy will have a mudder.”

  Olive nodded.

  “How did you change him?”

  “I didn’t do anything. Well, not that I know of. He said he believed in Gott a long time ago and he always had thoughts of how we all got here and why.”

  Jessie knew Donovan had thoughts just the opposite. Was there any hope that Donovan would suddenly change his mind and realize that Gott was not a fairy tale? Jessie could not tell Olive that she liked both men in different ways for different reasons. She wouldn’t understand. “I'm going to have some cake. Do you want a piece?”

  Olive nodded, and Jessie could tell by the look on her face she was upset. Jessie cut two slices of plain cake, popped them onto plates, took two forks, and then sat down again.

  Olive moved the teacup closer to herself. “What’s Donovan like?”

  “He’s very hardworking and that’s one of the things I like about him.” Jessie left out the terrible things he said at lunchtime. “He’s tall, handsome, and his hair is cut short. He’s got the cutest smile.” While Olive bit into the cake, Jessie thought about the two men and compared them to horses. Elijah would be a draft horse, whereas Donovan would be a sprightly Standardbred. “Elijah and Donovan are both handsome.” Possibly the draft horse would be the more dependable, Jessie considered.

  Olive sighed. “It is a risk, you know, liking a man who’s not from the community.”

  “I know, Olive.” Jessie topped up Olive’s tea even though she had hardly drunk any.

  “Think how easy it would be if you married Elijah. He’s from the same community, he doesn’t live far away, and we’d be schweschders-in-law, and everything would be perfect. You have the same beliefs, and there’s nothing stopping the two of you having a gut life together.”

  “Hmm. Except he said the subject of me is closed, didn’t he?”

  Olive swiped her hand through the air. “Never mind about that; I’m sure he was just upset. He won’t be that way forever. I could speak to him if you like.”

  “Nee, don’t do that. I’ll just leave things in Gott’s hands and see what happens. Tell me more about what’s happening with you.”

  “I can’t help being fearful about Blake. I mean, the hardest work of all is on a dairy farm.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why the bishop put him with the Hiltys.”

  “Are you worried the hard work will turn him off and he won’t stay?”

  “I am. He’s used to long hours and everything, but being on a dairy is so different from everything else he’s done. I just saw him today and he seemed good, so I feel a little more relaxed.”

  Jessie was thankful for her brother’s advice when she saw her friend had troubles of her own. “He knows it’s not forever. And, once he’s finished his time at the dairy farm, he’ll be able to live anywhere he likes once he gets baptized.”

  “I know. I’ve got no reason to think the way I do. I’m just not used to things going right for me. Everything seems too good to be true starting from the time I met Sonia and Leo at the farmers markets.”

  “Are you waiting for something to go wrong?”

  “I think so and then I feel awful for letting my mind run to dark places. I would be devastated if Blake and Leo left my life forever. There’d be a black hole.”

  “Most of our worries are about things that never happen, so don’t worry.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  Jessie stared at her friend wondering what to say to encourage her. “If you married an Amish man, he could leave the community at any time as well.”

  Olive giggled. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

  “Well, you laughed.” Together, they giggled.

  “You are right. I’ll do my best to leave my worries with Gott and not take them back again.”

  “Jah, we should all do that more often.” She looked down at Olive’s teacup. “Your tea’s getting cold.”

  * * *

  When Olive went home, Jessie walked upstairs to her bedroom. Tonight, she was wearier than she’d been in a long time. After she changed into her white cotton nightdress, she slipped between the cool cotton sheets. Her eyes closed, and she wondered whether Gott wanted her to do anything or whether she should leave things be. So tired of thinking was she that sleep came quickly.

  Chapter 24

  The next morning at work, Jessie was surprised to see Linda. “How’s your ankle? I didn’t expect to see you for weeks.”

  She l
ooked down at her feet and then looked back at Jessie. “Fine, I guess. What do you mean?”

  “Donovan told me you twisted your ankle, and he said you were taking a few days off.”

  Linda put her head to one side. “Strange for him to say that. No, he told me I could have the day off and it would be our little secret. Well … secret from Mrs. Billings since she wouldn’t be at work. Now, you have to keep the secret too.”

  Jessie nodded after she realized Donovan had gotten Linda out of the way so it would be easier to talk her into going to lunch with him. She hurried to the cleaning room behind Linda and when they got there they saw Elijah crouched over, measuring one of the carts. Jessie stood still and watched, searching for words and hoping he wasn’t angry with her.

  He stood up, and then saw her. “Jessie.”

  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

  “My onkel’s been given the job we quoted on. We’re building an annex room onto the house for the cleaning equipment.”

  Jessie had forgotten Linda was there until she suddenly spoke. “I’m Linda.”

  Elijah nodded politely. “Nice to meet you, Linda. I’m Elijah.”

  Linda’s face beamed as she stared at Jessie as though waiting for her to say something. Feeling Linda’s eyes fixed on her, Jessie stammered, “Um, I suppose while you’re here you might help us up the stairs with the carts? That is, if you’re finished with them.”

  “Sure.”

  After he helped them get the carts up the stairs, Elijah went back to the cleaning room.

  “Who’s he?” Linda whispered, as they pushed the carts up the hallway.

  “A friend.”

  Linda scoffed. “Bit more than a friend I’d say, the way he looked at you. You could cut the tension with a knife. Something was happening between the two of you.”

  Jessie pushed out her bottom lip. “What do you mean?”

  “Sparks were flying; even my heart was racing.”

  She shook her head. “You must have imagined it.”

  Linda laughed at Jessie’s response and was still cackling when they parted to clean separate rooms.

  Jessie was glad Elijah was speaking to her even though he seemed standoffish. Maybe he had to speak to her because Linda was there listening to every word. This was her chance to explain why she had been in Donovan’s car and tell him she was not Donovan’s girl.