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  “Ach, Joshua, that isn’t fair to you. But you might get to know a girl better if you spent more than just a few minutes riding in a buggy with her.” She didn’t want him to have an unfavorable reputation. Maybe this would help improve it. Not that she wanted him to spend more time with other girls, of course. Especially not with whoever it was who’d inspired the “I think so” part of his answer.

  The light from the lantern flickered and died. Time to replace the batteries. Joshua chuckled again, and, this time, it sounded real. To her shock, his hand grasped hers. Unexpected sparks shot up her arm. Could he feel them? “I’m looking forward to spending hours with you this weekend.” He rubbed her knuckles with his thumb, leaving fire in its path, and then he pulled away.

  Was he playing with her? Could he possibly be serious? She wished she could read his expression, but all she could see was a dark shadow turning away.

  “I think we’ve been dismissed.” Humor colored his wry comment. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Annie Beiler. Gut nacht.” He headed toward the ladder, apparently satisfied with the conversation they’d had.

  Still trying to process his remarks and his touch, Annie hesitated a minute before grabbing the dead flashlight and scampering down the ladder. Joshua had left the door open, and she reached the ground level just in time to see Bu, the dog, dart outside, taking off for the woods.

  Annie rushed outside. Daed would be angry if he found out she’d let Bu run off. “Kum here, Bu!” Annie shouted after the dog. “Now!”

  The dog didn’t listen, of course. But, to her horror, Joshua’s steps stuttered, and he froze. After a moment, he slowly turned to look at her. “Were you talking to me?”

  Chapter 8

  Joshua opened the door to the Schwartzes’ kitchen and slipped inside. Immediately, Luke shot up from a chair. Henry also rose, moving a cup of koffee closer to the center of the table as he did. It seemed that both men had been waiting for him. This didn’t look good. Joshua hesitated, looking from one to the other. Luke had his hands in fists at his sides, and the anger that raged across his face colored it to nearly match his red hair.

  “Where have you been?”

  The question had come from the elder Schwartz. But it was rhetorical, really. Henry and Luke both knew the answer. Still, Joshua didn’t appreciate the hard tone the man used, as if speaking to an errant child. Though he probably should have told them about his new job. “I was at Isaac Beiler’s. He hired me on.”

  Henry nodded, his anger evidently dissipating. “All right, then. I wasn’t aware of that. So long as you weren’t there trying to court Luke’s Annie. He said you’d been…well, never mind. My frau kept dinner warm for you.” He gestured to the stove.

  “Danki, but I ate there.”

  Luke’s fists clenched even tighter, and his whole stance seemed ready to spring.

  Joshua felt his own body tense in response.

  Luke didn’t even wait for his daed to leave the room. He took a menacing step toward Joshua. “I saw you and Annie talking tonight. You went into the barn together.” The volume of his voice rose with every word.

  Joshua surveyed him silently, calmly. He doubted Luke was looking for an explanation. And he certainly wasn’t about to lie and say they’d been doing chores together.

  “Annie is my girl.” Luke moved even closer.

  Henry paused in the doorway and turned back, maybe wanting to see how this would play out. Or to see that Joshua, the transplant, behaved himself.

  “Did you miss that we’re getting married this winter?”

  Joshua shook his head. “You haven’t even started membership classes with the other district, and there is nein way Bishop Sol will approve your marrying without them. Annie won’t be marrying you until next year’s wedding season.” He tried to keep from smirking. “If then.”

  Luke shoved him. Hard. “I said, stay away from her.”

  Joshua staggered a couple of steps, then regained his balance. He sucked in a deep breath. “I think you’re the one who should stay away,” he muttered. “I heard her turn down your offer to take her home from singing. She won’t even let you near her.”

  Luke’s eyes bulged, as if they’d pop right out of their sockets.

  Yet Joshua couldn’t restrain himself. “I’m going to win her away from you,” he added. Then, he gulped, shocked by his own spoken words. That was bold. Too bold. He certainly hadn’t planned to say that. It had just slipped out. Now what? He’d probably lost his temporary home. A proverb Mamm always said surfaced in his memory: “When you have spoken a word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken, you reign over it.” How true that was.

  “How dare you!” Luke raised his fist and moved to strike, but Henry stepped in and stopped it mid-swing.

  “Luke!” The man had anger etched in every line of his face, but Joshua could tell it wasn’t directed at his son. He turned to Joshua. “I’m afraid having you stay here isn’t going to work out. I have to ask you to leave. Get your things. You can spend the nacht in the barn. Tomorrow, we’ll contact Bishop Sol.”

  Jah, Joshua had figured so. For a brief second, he considered apologizing, taking it back. But he couldn’t, in good conscience. “I’ll get out of your way, sir.” Joshua headed for the stairs. “I’ll be out of here in a moment.”

  When he remembered that Isaac Beiler had offered him a place to stay, he couldn’t keep from smiling. Maybe he would sleep in the Schwartzes’ barn tonight, as Henry had suggested, and approach Isaac in the morning. Or, maybe he’d just sleep in the Beilers’ barn.

  Danki, Lord, for giving me a place with the Beilers. Joshua would be glad to get away from Luke and his stereotypical redhead temper. If he had his way, Annie wouldn’t end up with that bully. Joy bubbled up in his chest, producing another smile that couldn’t be controlled.

  Ten minutes later, Joshua had stuffed all of his belongings into two plastic grocery bags. With a nod to Henry Schwartz, he set out across the yard.

  “Where’re you going?” Luke sounded alarmed. “Where’s he going?”

  Wouldn’t you like to know? Joshua kept the snarky comment unsaid.

  “The barn. He’s headed to the barn,” Henry said firmly.

  “You think?”

  Grinning to himself, Joshua shifted his trajectory and strode past the barn, out into the dark fields toward the Beilers’ farm. No one tried to stop him, which was surprising, since he was certain Luke watched his every step. He was a good spy. Ought to work for the CIA.

  Even as he relished the thought of living with the Beilers, shame ate at Joshua for being kicked out of the Schwartzes’ home. He shouldn’t have goaded Luke the way he had.

  Swallowing the lump in his throat, he climbed the steps to the Beilers’ haus and opened the kitchen door a crack. “Hello?”

  Annie stood at the sink, finishing up the dishes. She turned, a dishcloth and a plate in her hands. “Joshua?” Water dripped from the plate onto the floor, but she didn’t pay it any attention. “What are you doing here?”

  “Is your daed still awake?” Heat crawled up Joshua’s neck. He held up his bags. “They kicked me out.”

  Her eyes widened. “Whatever for?”

  Joshua shrugged, not wanting to explain. But it didn’t matter. She’d learn the truth, sooner or later. Might as well be sooner. “Irreconcilable differences between their son and me.”

  Annie gave a little gasp. “Luke?”

  He nodded, his temples throbbing—probably due to embarrassment, about both the way he’d acted at the Schwartzes’ and having to face Annie in this homeless state. “He’s determined to marry you this wedding season, and I was apparently encroaching on his territory.”

  “Marrying him? His territory? There is nein—” She turned abruptly and set the plate back in the dishpan. “So, they kicked you out and sent you here? That doesn’t make sense.”

  When she swiveled to face him again, Joshua half smiled, feeling weary. He hated having to explain the situation. It was wrong in
so many ways. “Nein. They kicked me out of the haus and told me to stay in the barn. They said they’d be contacting Bishop Sol in the morgen to find me a new home. But, since your daed offered to let me stay here, I thought that maybe just this once…if the offer’s still open…?”

  “The offer’s still open.”

  Joshua turned around and saw Isaac standing on the porch. “Danki, sir.”

  The man gave a knowing smile. “Happened to look outside the barn as you were walking up. Annie will show you to your room, and then you can kum down to join us for family devotions. Aaron and I need to finish up the evening chores. We’ll be in directly.”

  “Do you need help?” Joshua set his bags down on the porch. “I’d be more than glad to….”

  Isaac had shifted his attention to the driveway, where the gravel crunched beneath buggy wheels. “Cathy’s home.” He looked back at Joshua. “You could help take care of the horse and buggy, if you would.”

  “Jah, I’d be happy to.” Joshua nodded at him. “Danki again for taking me in for the nacht. I’ll find a permanent place tomorrow.”

  Isaac clapped him on the shoulder. “Nonsense. This is your new home. I’ll work it out with Bishop Sol. Glad to help.” He looked past Joshua. “Annie, you take his things upstairs and make sure the room’s ready for him.” His gaze returned to Joshua. “You’ve met my daughter Cathy, ain’t so?”

  ***

  Annie stood in the kitchen for a minute or so, watching as Daed and Joshua met Cathy in the driveway and talked with her a bit, and then as Joshua unhitched Buttercup and led her by the reins to the barn.

  Not wanting to be caught gawking, Annie grabbed Joshua’s bags when Cathy headed for the haus, and hurried upstairs. The extra room up there used to be Mamm and Daed’s, but they’d moved downstairs after Mamm’s accident.

  She opened the door to the empty bedroom and put Joshua’s bags on top of the dresser. Then, she went to get some sheets and a quilt for the full-sized bed. She was tucking in the ends of the sheets when Cathy stormed into the room. Annie braced herself for the tirade. What had upset her this time?

  “Daed told me Joshua’s moving in. I wish he would have asked us first. With Mamm hurt, and everything else going on, it’ll be more than awkward having a stranger living here. Not to mention more work.”

  Annie nodded. Work, she didn’t care about. But “awkward” was an apt word to describe her relationship with Joshua and the emotions his presence stirred within her. She didn’t know how to act around him. Should she treat him like a guest? There was no way she’d be able to act brotherly/sisterly with him. She didn’t want to act like she knew Cathy would, either, all fluttery-eyed, not to mention willing to use any means available to spend more time with a man. When she’d had her eyes on Jacob Miller, she’d tried to drive a wedge between him and Becky Troyer by intercepting the letters he’d written to Becky while she’d been away at her sister’s. And she certainly couldn’t act all giggly, like the bishop’s granddaughter Ruth did around men.

  She’d drive herself insane.

  “He’ll just have to find somewhere else to live.” Cathy shifted. “He has friends here…maybe one of them could take him in. Or his cousin Matthew Yoder, maybe?”

  “Matthew’s getting married in a few weeks. Probably wouldn’t be gut for Joshua to go there.”

  “Whatever.” Cathy waved her hand in dismissal. “He isn’t welkum here, nein matter what Daed says. We’ll just have to make that clear.” She tilted her head. “Isn’t that your quilt?”

  Annie looked at the quilt she’d spread over Joshua’s bed. It was the one she’d made for her hope chest—variegated green, with a double wedding ring pattern. She shouldn’t have been so bold as to pick this particular one. Hopefully, Cathy wouldn’t suspect her crush on Joshua. She decided to change the subject. “Well, if your David were homeless, you’d want Daed to take him in, ain’t so?” Too late, she realized she’d just given Cathy enough to realize how she felt about Joshua. That is, if Cathy had been paying attention.

  “My David?” Cathy blushed. “Well, that’s hardly the same thing. Joshua isn’t anybody’s beau. He’s a player, for sure and for certain. David might have been part of the swap, but he’ll be all kinds of upset to find out Joshua’s staying here.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “David asked me to be his steady girl. But don’t tell anyone.”

  Annie forced a smile. “I won’t.” She gathered Cathy in a hug. “I’m really happy for you.” As she released her and stepped back, she realized her sister very well might be marrying next fall. Then, she’d be the only one left at home. “But maybe Joshua isn’t a player. Maybe his behavior is just misunderstood.” Her discussion with him earlier that evening had suggested this was the case. But the way he’d touched her hand when they were alone in the loft…Annie still didn’t know for sure.

  Cathy headed for the door. “Well, we’ll get rid of Joshua Esh in short matter. He won’t want to stay where he’s not wanted. Besides, I’m sure Luke will take issue with him staying here, too. Bishop Sol might even move him elsewhere.”

  Annie regretted allowing Luke to court her in the first place. “Luke has nein right to say anything. I wish everyone would quit bringing him up! We aren’t getting married, contrary to what he’s been saying. He left the Amish once already, and I can’t trust him. Besides, I’m never leaving this community.” And she no longer wanted to settle for just anyone. She might not be Joshua’s choice, but, one day, maybe some good man would love her.

  Cathy waved her hand again. “Still, everyone says you’re Luke’s girl. David told me that’s why no one’s asked to drive you home from singings. They all know you’re taken.”

  Speechless, Annie watched her sister leave the room. Could that be true? Was that why Joshua had never asked? A flicker of hope reignited in her heart.

  ***

  When the horse and buggy had been tended to, Joshua went to look for Isaac. He’d just extinguished a lantern. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “Nein, we’re finished. Aaron’s already gone to the haus. Danki for taking care of Cathy’s horse. You’ll be a real asset around here.”

  “I just appreciate your taking me in tonight.”

  Isaac clasped Joshua’s shoulder. “I can guess what drove you away from the Schwartzes. And I’m not at all worried about Luke with you here.” He basically spat the name of Joshua’s rival. “She deserves better…much better than that bu. The way his eyes look sometimes, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find out he’s using some sort of drugs. I know he drinks. And his temper….” Isaac shook his head. “Even if he joins the church, which I doubt he will, I want him to have nothing to do with my Annie.”

  Joshua scuffed his shoe in the dirt. So, he wasn’t alone in his opinion. “I’ll be glad to look out for her.”

  “Jah, I know you will. You’re a gut bu. And I’ve been watching you. I….” Isaac frowned. “I’m not supposed to notice this, and I probably shouldn’t say it, but I’ve seen the way you look at her. How you’re always watching her. Not sure how you’ll move past that reputation as a player, though.” Isaac winked and then headed toward the barn. “Speaking of players, I do wish that dog would have kum home when Annie called him. Samuel Brunstettler isn’t going to be happy with us. Not at all. And he’s already upset enough with Annie.”

  Joshua shook his head sympathetically.

  Isaac turned back and met his eyes. “But, just so you know, I don’t want you playing with Annie’s emotions, either. I will be here, watching.”

  “Of course.” Joshua gulped. He was grateful for Isaac’s blessing, but he realized now the gravity of the consequences that would ensue when the man found out that he intended to return to Pennsylvania.

  He’d told Luke that he would win Annie away from him. But Annie refused to leave, and Joshua certainly had no plans to stay. The Lord alone knew how all this would work out.

  Chapter 9

  Annie positioned
the final pillow on the bed in her parents’ old room. There wasn’t much else to do to get it ready for Joshua. She eyed the two grocery bags she’d set on the top of the dresser and thought about unpacking them. But she probably shouldn’t take the liberty of going through his personal belongings. For once, she envied Cathy for her job of doing the laundry, since she would get to handle his clothes, touch them.

  Annie thought again about what Cathy had said. If only she dared to ask Joshua if it was true that Luke’s “claim” on her was the reason all the buwe avoided asking to drive her home from singings and frolics. The reason why nobody wanted to “date” her, as the Englisch would say. But she was afraid that asking would make her appear needy. Desperate. That, or he would contradict Cathy, and then Annie would know what she’d suspected all along: nobody liked her. Period. They all found her too plain. Too bossy. Too…what did Becky’s Jacob always say? Obsessive-compulsive, whatever that meant. Annie had once asked Becky about the term, and she’d merely shrugged and said it had something to do with Annie’s penchant for putting everything in alphabetical order.