He straightened, continuing to look at her. She’d always come across as a nice, outgoing, levelheaded woman. But lately she was acting more birdbrained than a baby sparrow.
“I promise I won’t do this anymore.” She started twisting her index finger. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately,” she said quietly. “I’ve been saying and doing things before thinking them through. I’m not normally like that. I just . . .” She looked up at him. “I feel bad for Nina. I never had a problem with homesickness, but I do know what’s it’s like to leave behind everything familiar. She’s having a hard time with it, and I want to help her. The last thing she needs is to be forced into a relationship. Those are hard enough as it is.” She averted her gaze and clenched her hands together. “I also don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
Forced into a relationship? Hurt anyone’s feelings? She sounded as though she was speaking from experience, and that experience hadn’t been good. As for him, he didn’t have any experience to speak of, what with the slim pickings in Birch Creek. He’d always assumed he’d have to find a bride outside the district, and that would be a long time off. But Martha had been hurt, and that hurt still seemed fresh. “It’s all right,” he said, tempering his tone. “You have a gut heart, Martha.” Better than his had been lately.
That made her perk up a bit. “I’m glad you aren’t mad at me. And I meant it when I said I’m not involving you in anything else. Just supper on Thursday. That’s it.”
“And woodcarving today. That’s it.”
“What?” Her brow shot up. “You’re giving me only one lesson?”
“That’s all I agreed to.”
“Oh. I guess that’s true.” She scowled. “I can’t learn much in one lesson.”
“I can show you a few basics.” Her disappointed expression was getting to him. He’d intended to just teach her how to plane the wood, but he might do a little bit extra. “I’m sorry, Martha. I can’t commit to anything more.”
Her face brightened a little. “It’s all right. It’s nervy of me to expect more.” She rolled her eyes. “Here I am complaining about Delilah being pushy, and I’m doing the same thing.”
“Nee, you’re not. She’s taking assertiveness to the extreme.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “I appreciate anything you want to show me, Seth. I won’t ask for more than that.”
He paused. For some strange reason her acquiescence made him want to have another lesson with her, before they started the first one. What? That didn’t make sense. One lesson only. No matter how sweet she is, that’s it.
“We should geh inside,” Martha said. “Supper should be close to ready by now. I told Mamm I was going to show you our garden in the backyard.”
“She bought that excuse?”
Martha bit her lip. “I don’t think so. But lately Mamm has been going with the flow when it comes to me.”
He nodded and started to follow her into the house. Then an idea came to him. A terrible idea, but that didn’t stop him from saying it. He halted. “Maybe we should make tonight a practice run.”
She turned around. “Practice run?”
“If we have to convince Delilah, we might as well try it out tonight with yer parents.” He had to resist slapping his forehead with his palm. What happened to his resolve not to get any deeper into these shenanigans?
She tapped her finger on her chin. “That’s not a bad idea.”
It’s an awful idea.
“But what if mei parents believe we like each other?”
Seth hadn’t thought that far. Apparently, Martha’s shortsightedness was contagious. “We can figure that out later.”
“Shouldn’t we figure that out now?”
“Martha!” Daed’s head poked out the back door. “Supper’s ready.”
“On our way!” She looked at Seth. “We’ll talk about this later, when we’re in yer shop,” she whispered. Then she turned and started for the house.
Seth shook his head. He looked up at the sky again. Lord, what are we doing? What am I doing? After all this was over, he was getting his head examined.
Chapter 8
“We’re happy you’re able to join us for supper, Seth.” Mamm passed him a bowl of roasted brussels sprouts.
Martha watched him as he took the bowl. He’d surprised her in several ways during their conversation right before supper, the biggest surprise his suggestion they pretend to like each other in front of her parents. She still wasn’t sure why he’d suggested it, since he was upset with her when she told him about supper at Delilah’s. Now he had inserted himself even deeper in the charade, and they were bringing her parents into it too. She glanced at her plate, which was full of food, but she didn’t have the appetite to eat it. None of this was aboveboard, and she didn’t like that, even though she was the one who started the whole thing.
Yet, despite her guilt, she liked the idea of a trial run. If they could fool her parents, they could fool Delilah. Then she would leave them and Nina and Levi alone, and everything could go back to normal—after she confessed the truth to her mamm and daed, of course.
“Danki for having me.” Seth placed a spoonful of the sprouts on his plate. “I’ll admit I’m surprised that Martha extended the invitation, but I’m glad I took her up on it.” He turned to her and smiled.
Her stomach suddenly did a backflip. She didn’t know Seth could smile like that. It transformed his entire face, making him look . . . handsome. No, not just handsome. Gorgeous. Wait, did she just think Seth Yoder was gorgeous? The same man who was scowling at her a short time ago?
His knee jabbed against hers, yanking her out of her thoughts. Right, they were supposed to be doing a trial run. Of plan B. To help Cevilla . . . uh, Nina. Goodness, her thoughts were a jumbled mess.
She regained her senses and took the bowl from him, making sure her gaze met his eyes. She wasn’t all that good at flirting, since she considered it more than a little frivolous, and she’d never engaged in it with Paul. She also didn’t want to overdo it, or her mother might wonder if something was wrong with her. “I’m glad you did too.” She dropped her voice a bit, and it sounded sultry even to her. She gazed at him from beneath her lashes before plopping a few sprouts on her plate.
When she glanced up, he was still looking at her, surprise on his face. Then he cleared his throat and turned to her father. “How’s the cabinet business going?”
“Pretty gut. I’ve partnered up with Atlee, and we’re doing some work for Sol Troyer. He’s the carpenter the Stolls have hired to help out with their bed-and-breakfast project.”
“Inn,” Martha corrected, taking the plate of crescent-shaped rolls from the table. She was about to put one on her plate, then stopped. She held the plate out to him. “Would you like one?” Again she looked up at him with her eyes a little lowered, giving him a small smile.
“Uh, ya,” he said, clearing his throat again. “Danki, Martha.”
Did he just lower his voice too? No, she was just imagining things. Yet the tickle in her stomach was real. Either that, or she was hungry after all.
“Then you’ve visited with the Stolls?” Mamm said, taking a sip of lemonade. “We haven’t had a chance to meet them yet.”
Martha told her about Nina and Delilah’s visit, leaving out the matchmaking details. “We’ve been invited to supper on Thursday,” she said.
“We?” Her father arched a brow.
“Martha and I.” Seth glanced at her, meeting her eyes. Good gravy, he had gorgeous eyes too. Why was she just noticing that now? “She told me about the invitation before supper. Of course, I’m happy to geh with her.” He gave her a wink and picked up his fork.
Martha glanced at her parents, who were swapping baffled glances. Concerned that Seth was laying it on too thick, she knocked her knee against his thigh.
What? he mouthed.
She tilted her head toward her parents, who were now both looking at them with confusion. He smiled, then ducked his head and went back to
eating.
“I didn’t realize you and Martha were such gut friends.” Daed put down his fork and looked directly at Seth.
Uh-oh. This was something she hadn’t planned for—her father’s reaction. When she’d thought about it as she and Seth were coming into the house, she was sure he wouldn’t pick up on their friendship, no matter how well they faked it. Her mother would be the one to make assumptions. But now her father looked concerned.
Seth froze. “Uh, that’s been, uh, a recent development.”
“Right.” Martha grabbed the plate of canned beets from the middle of the table. “Here you geh, Daed. I know how much you like beets.” She reached over Seth to pass the plate, brushing against his shoulder. A shiver went down her spine.
“Allow me.” Seth took the plate from her, his hand covering hers for a split second before she released the plate. Again, another shiver. What was happening to her?
Daed nodded his thanks and took the beets, then put a few on his plate, as if the pickled vegetable had made him forget about interrogating Seth.
Eager to change the subject, Martha turned to Mamm. “Were you able to finish yer puzzle yesterday?” Then she looked at Seth. “Mamm is making wall art out of old puzzles.”
“Really?” Seth said as though Martha had stated the most interesting thing he’d ever heard.
Mamm smiled. “I’ve found some pretty ones at a few yard sales and thrift shops. Naomi and I like to visit those, and yer mudder joins us when she can.”
“She always loves a gut sale.”
“I found I enjoy doing puzzles. It’s relaxing, and they do make pretty pictures.”
Seth nodded. “I’d like to see one, if it’s finished.”
He was being utterly charming, so much so that Martha kept staring at him. This wasn’t the Seth Yoder she’d always known, the one who’d been standoffish in the past year, although she knew the reason now. He seemed genuinely interested in her mother’s new hobby, and from the growing smile on Mamm’s face, she was pleased he was showing such interest. Her father had looked at the half-finished puzzle last night and said, “Nice,” before heading upstairs to bed.
“I can show you after supper,” she said. “I’m hoping Martha might take an interest in it too.”
Surprised, Martha said, “You are?”
“You need a hobby. Something to keep you busy when you’re not working. I think that will help you with . . .” She stopped. “Never mind.” Then she glanced at Seth before looking back at her with a knowing grin. “Although . . . maybe you don’t have time for a hobby after all.”
Bingo. She and Seth turned to each other at the same time and beamed. They’d achieved their objective, at least with Mamm. Later she’d explain to her the real reason they did this, but right now she was relieved that they’d managed to pull it off. Then she looked at her father. He was eating the beets, giving Seth a few glances, but not saying anything, which Martha took as a good sign. She hoped he wouldn’t be mad when he found out what they were doing.
After he finished the last beet, Daed asked Seth, “How’s yer familye? Yer daed’s got a nice spread there. I never was much into farming, but mei onkel was, and they did rather well for themselves.” He pointed his fork at Seth. “I like yer vatter. He’s a gut bishop, and a gut mann.”
“Danki,” Seth said. He pushed a bite of rice casserole around on his plate.
“Seems like things are going well for all of you.”
Seth didn’t look up. “They are.”
“Glad to hear it.” Daed pushed away his plate. “Excellent meal, Regina. As always. Any dessert?”
Mamm chuckled. “As always.” She turned to Martha. “Why don’t you show Seth the puzzle on the coffee table in the living room. It’s almost finished.”
“I can help you with dessert,” she said.
Mamm waved her off. “Nee need. Yer vatter and I can handle it.” She looked at Daed. “Right?”
Daed gave Martha and Seth a long look, as if he was trying to decide if letting them be alone with a puzzle was a good idea. Finally, he nodded. “Geh on into the living room. We’ll bring dessert and kaffee to you.”
“How do you take yer kaffee, Seth?” Mamm asked.
“Black, please.”
“That’s how Martha likes hers.” She gave Martha another knowing smile as they left the kitchen and went into the living room.
Martha blew out a long breath as Seth plopped onto the couch. He looked up at her, any flirty or endearing expression gone. “I think we did it,” he said, glancing over his shoulder as he kept his voice low.
“We definitely did it.” Without thinking, she sat down next to him. Then she frowned. “I feel terrible about it. “
He ran his palms over his pants legs. “Me too.”
“I’m going to talk to Mamm after we’re finished with woodcarving,” she whispered. “I don’t think she’ll be happy about our misleading them, but I don’t want to deceive mei parents anymore.”
“I agree. Nice acting, by the way. You almost had me convinced in there.”
“Speak for yerself.” She laughed. “I was . . .” She’d almost admitted to the butterflies in her stomach. She didn’t dare do that. She would look like a fool for letting his fake flirting get to her. “I was pleased with our performances.”
“Is that the puzzle?” Seth leaned forward and looked at the incomplete project. About a dozen pieces were left.
“Ya. Danki for pretending to be interested in it. You made Mamm happy.”
“I’m glad she’s happy, but I’m also interested. I used to love doing puzzles when I was yung, and I’ve seen the picture puzzles you two were talking about.” He picked up a piece and examined it. “I think this is pretty old.”
“Vintage. That’s what Mamm said, anyway.” She picked up the box from the floor next to the table. “It’s supposed to look like this.” A peaceful scene of an old thatched house and a rowboat on the shore of a lake was on the cover.
“Very nice.” He carefully set the piece back down. “I haven’t done a puzzle in a long time. I’m the only one who really liked to do them, and the more complicated the better. Mei schwesters would do the simple ones with me, but they refused to do the harder ones. Which was fine by me, since I was happy doing them by myself.” He leaned against the back of the couch and looked at Martha. “There’s something gratifying about completing a challenge.”
She nodded and had to agree. That’s how she felt about learning something new. While it might be hard at first, she was satisfied when she was able to do what she’d set out to do. Like tonight. Convincing her parents that they were interested in each other had been a challenge, and she and Seth had conquered it. Now she was ready to conquer woodcarving. Or at least learn more about it than she knew now.
Daed came into the room carrying two slices of pecan pie, and Mamm followed with two cups of coffee. Seth stood and took the coffees from her. Daed handed the dessert plates to Martha.
“Danki,” Seth said as he sat back down. He gestured to the table. “Nice puzzle. A gut choice for a wall picture, in mei opinion.”
Mamm smiled. “I thought so too.” She nudged her husband toward the kitchen. “You two enjoy visiting,” she said. “We’ll take care of the cleanup.”
“We think we’ll geh for a walk a little later,” Martha said, giving them an excuse for when they’d disappear to the woodshop.
“Take yer time.” Mamm’s smile widened. “It was nice having you over, Seth. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.” He grinned and waited until they left the room. His grin slid from his face as he turned to Martha. “It’s over.” He set Martha’s cup on the coffee table, well out of the way of the puzzle. “Yer parents are nice people, by the way.”
“They are.” Which compounded her guilt. But what was done was done, and she would rectify it as soon as possible. She handed Seth one of the pie slices, then sat back down next to him, even though two other empty chairs were in the roo
m. “When do you think we should leave?”
“Ira told me he and some of the Bontragers are heading to Chupps’ pond to fish tonight. I don’t want to run into them on our way to the woodshop. We should wait until they’re already there. That should be in half an hour or so.” At Martha’s nod, he asked, “What should we do until then?”
She looked at the puzzle. “I don’t think Mamm would mind if we finished this.”
“Sounds gut to me.”
They both reached for the same puzzle piece, their hands brushing against each other. “Sorry,” he said, snatching his hand back. He took a sip of coffee. “You geh ahead.”
Martha nodded, but her mind wasn’t on the puzzle piece, and that was clear when she couldn’t remember where the piece fit, even though a moment ago she knew exactly where it went. Her fingers tingled where they had brushed his, more than they ever had when she and Paul held hands.
She glanced at him. He was already tearing into the pie, eating the slice with gusto. If he was affected by that light touch, he didn’t act like it. Get it together, girl. She focused back on the puzzle and moved the piece around, trying different configurations.
“It goes here.” He put his empty pie plate on the floor next to the couch and took the piece from her. “See?”
“Oh.” She let out an awkward chuckle. “Silly me. I should have figured that out.”
He looked at her. “Are you sure you’re gut at puzzles?”
Ya, when I’m not behaving like an idiot. Determined to prove herself, she picked up another piece and quickly found where the edges matched up. Satisfied, she said, “See?”
“Guess that will teach me to doubt you.”
Her breath caught. There it was again. That gorgeous smile accompanied by a hearty laugh. Very attractive.
She froze. Her parents were nowhere in sight. He didn’t have to keep up the ruse. She watched him as he fit another piece in the puzzle. Now she was more concerned than just deceiving her parents and trying to help Nina. Something was going on here—something inside her. She didn’t want to like that feeling, but she couldn’t deny it.
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