Bethany crossed the room and stood by the window with Libby, watching Jonas pull his buggy close to the house. “Perhaps it is a rekindled love you are feeling for Jonas.”
Libby sighed. “If I loved him before, why do I get the feeling that I stopped?”
“Ach, only you and Jonas can answer that.”
“What if I can’t answer that for myself? Jonas has made a game of not telling me details. If I don’t figure it out on my own, he’s not going to tell me.”
“Try to let go of the past, Libby, and just go with what you are feeling now. It might surprise you in the best way possible.”
Libby sighed again. “I hope you’re right.”
Jonas tied up his horse and walked up to the porch and grabbed the shovel that leaned against the side of the house. He began to shovel the steps and the front walkway that led to the driveway. What was it that made Jonas so appealing to her? Was he more appealing than the Englischer? Certainly in so many ways.
Confusion gripped her heart as she watched him. He was obviously cleaning the walkway for her. She was certain Logan would not have done such a thing for her—something that was so apparently automatic in nature for Jonas. She was conflicted by her attraction to both men who were such opposites. Perhaps her attraction to Logan had stemmed from the rebellion she was fighting regarding her Amish heritage. She couldn’t deny who she was any more than she could deny her feelings for Jonas.
The only thing still bothering her was the past. If they’d had a past, why couldn’t she remember? Perhaps it was not very memorable to begin with. If so, why would she have such strong feelings for him now? She wasn’t certain at this point if she should fight those stirrings within her, or give in to them. She couldn’t deny, even to herself, that she loved Jonas, so what was the point in fighting it?
Libby couldn’t help but admire him from the window, where he had no idea he was being watched. Jonas was truly a kind man—a man most worthy of consideration.
CHAPTER 16
“What are you doing here?” Libby asked Logan through gritted teeth. “Didn’t I make myself clear to you yesterday how I felt about you?”
“I suppose you did, Liberty, but I’m not through with my research.”
“Don’t call me Liberty!”
“That’s your name isn’t it?”
“Nee, I’m Libby, and I’m Amish. You got a problem with that?”
Jonas squeezed her elbow. “I’ll handle this,” he said to her under his breath.
Logan stepped forward. “What are you going to do about it? She already signed the release so I could observe her for my research, and I’m not leaving until I get it. My dissertation could get me placement in a good hospital, and I’m not about to give that up or all my hard work because you’re jealous that I took out your girlfriend last night.”
Jonas smirked. “I heard that didn’t go too well for you.”
“She’s just a tease, that’s all,” Logan said.
“I can’t imagine you being a very gut doctor because you don’t have any respect for your fellow mann,” Jonas said, shaking his head.
“Why, because I don’t live my life back in time the way you all do?”
Jonas could feel his jaw clench. Not only had he insulted their heritage, he’d insulted Libby in a way that no woman should be insulted. By this time, Benjamin had shown up with Bethany and was at his side. Adam skated over to them as well, bringing two of his cousins.
Logan backed away and held up his hands.
“Hey, I don’t want any trouble. I don’t need the Amish Mafia after me or anything.”
“We are a peaceful community,” Jonas said.
“I’ll bet that’s what the Amish Mafia said to their victims right before they started fighting with them.”
Benjamin chuckled. “I think you watch too much TV.”
Adam stepped forward. “If Libby gives her consent, you can observe her skating so you can finish your paper, but while you’re here, you will be respectful of the community. Understood?”
Logan’s expression fell. “I give you my word.”
Logan turned to Libby. “I’m sorry for what I said—and for the way I treated you yesterday. If you let me stay I will be completely respectful.”
Libby nodded her consent. Then she pulled Jonas by the arm onto the ice. She looked him in the eye and smiled. “Let’s give him something to be jealous of,” she whispered.
Jonas smiled back, turning her around and skating backward while he held her hands. Though she was still a little wobbly, she was almost as perfect a skater as she’d always been—as long as she kept her eyes on him.
Snowflakes drifted from the heavens as they twirled around the pond together. As long as Libby kept her focus on Jonas, it was almost as if they were all alone on the pond. The rest of the world did not exist as she gazed into his eyes—it was just the two of them.
Libby faltered a bit as she let her gaze leave Jonas, her focus drifting toward Logan. She was glad that he’d apologized, but it wasn’t enough to turn her head back toward him. So why couldn’t she seem to keep her concentration on Jonas all of a sudden? She was doing so well. Her mind reeled in more thoughts than she could process at the moment. Even though he’d seemed remorseful for his actions, she was certain Logan’s sudden change in attitude had more to do with fear of getting into a fight and selfishly wanting to finish his research than it did with genuine sorrow for what he’d done. Nonetheless, he was being respectful, but she wasn’t comfortable with having Logan watching her and Jonas skate any longer.
She wanted to be alone with Jonas, and those feelings grew stronger the more they skated together. His light touch at the small of her back sent tingles down her spine, and the warmth of his hand against hers could be felt even through her homemade mittens.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Logan leaving—without saying goodbye.
What a relief, she thought.
Jonas slighted his eyes to the right, noticing Logan’s sudden departure. He was pleased that he had won Libby over—against an Englischer. He hoped the man would not return to Willow Creek, or try to bother Libby again. He would certainly not welcome Logan’s company again, no matter how many times he apologized. His behavior toward Libby had been nothing short of inexcusable. Jonas was a peaceable person, but he had been prepared to defend Libby’s honor.
With Logan now gone, Jonas would try to work his way back into Libby’s heart. Skating beside her, Jonas pulled her closer to him with his right arm at her waistline, while his left hand held steady with her left. He couldn’t think of anything more graceful and romantic than skating with her.
After trolling the pond a few times, she suddenly let her hand go limp from his while her ankles started to wobble. If not for his quick reflexes, she’d have fallen on the ice. He held her close as he brought her to the edge of the pond and sat her down on a bench.
Libby’s eyes drooped, and Jonas gripped the sides of her face. “Stay with me, Darlin’.”
“What did you say,” she asked weakly.
“Don’t go passing out on me, Darlin’.”
Libby widened her eyes as best she could, trying to ignore the dizziness and tunnel vision. This very scene had played out before her eyes once before. She’d heard that voice—when she’d fallen on the ice.
Had it been as real then as it was now?
She pulled off her mitten and reached up to touch Jonas’ strong jawline, his freshly-shaven skin felt warm and smooth under her fingertips. Closing her eyes, her hand still touching him, she felt his lips touch hers. Fear gripped her as she dared not open her eyes to see if what she was feeling was real. Libby decided she would keep her eyes closed if it meant she could enjoy Jonas for just a few minutes longer.
CHAPTER 17
“Go up to the B&B and call for an ambulance,” Jonas begged. “She needs to go back to the hospital.”
Adam ran across the long stretch of snow-covered lawn that separated the B&B from the pond so he could
use the phone there.
Libby lay outstretched in the snow, going in and out of consciousness next to the bench she’d been sitting in only minutes before.
Benjamin put a hand to Jonas’ shoulder. “I see Logan’s car up there in the parking lot. Should I get him? He might be able to help.”
Jonas clenched his jaw, his heart rate accelerating at the thought of having to ask Logan for help, but his feelings didn’t matter right now. Libby was his first priority.
Jonas nodded slowly while he held Libby’s hand. “Jah, get him,” he said quietly.
Benjamin followed the same trail in the snow that Adam had just sprinted across to get his sister some much-needed help, while Jonas continued to stay close to her side.
Libby opened her eyes and stared up into the swirling snow above her.
“Stay with me, Darlin’,” a familiar baritone spoke to her.
“I love you, Jonas,” Libby whispered to the snowflakes.
Jonas squeezed Libby’s hand and leaned in close to her ear. “I love you too, Darlin’.”
Libby turned her head slowly toward Jonas and looked him the eye. “It was you,” she whispered.
Jonas put a warm hand to her cold cheek. “Just rest, Darlin’. Don’t try to talk. There’s an ambulance on the way.”
Libby blinked away light snowflakes, her eyes drooping. She could feel Jonas pulling her head into his lap, his comforting touch soothing her and making her feel safe.
Logan ran toward them, stopping just short of Libby to catch his breath. “What happened?”
Jonas answered without looking up. “She said she felt dizzy, and before I knew it, her legs became wobbly and she started to fall before I could get her to the edge of the pond.”
“Did she hit her head on the ice again?” Logan asked.
“Nee—no. I was able to catch her in time.”
Logan bent down and grabbed her wrist, checking her pulse against his watch. “Her pulse is strong, and her breathing seems fine. This may have been a little too overwhelming for her, and she could be suffering from exhaustion. We’ll know more when we get her to the hospital and run some tests.”
Logan patted her hand repeatedly. “Liberty, can you hear me?”
He kept it up until Libby’s lashes fluttered.
“I thought I already told you, my name is not Liberty—it’s Libby! Ain’t it so, Jonas?”
Jonas held fast to her other hand and gave it a squeeze. “That’s right, Darlin’.”
Logan’s eyes darted between Libby and Jonas.
“Darlin’? Since when did the two of you become a couple?” Logan asked.
“Since he asked me to marry him two months ago in Nappanee.” Libby said weakly.
Jonas’ eyes widened at her comment and his heart did a flip-flop behind his ribcage. If she remembered they were engaged to be married, surely she remembered she’d broken it off with him. Was she just putting on an act and stretching the truth so Logan would leave her alone? Jonas hoped it wasn’t so.
“Wow, you Amish sure do move fast! I don’t understand why you went out with me last night if you were engaged to him.” Logan said, pointing to Jonas, disgust dripping from his tone.
“We broke up that’s all, but now we’re back together,” Libby said.
She does know, Jonas thought with worry.
Jonas patted her hand. “Now don’t go giving away all our business, Darlin’.” Jonas said nervously.
Libby looked up at Jonas. “Darling—I feel fine now. I think I want to just go home.”
Was she teasing him, or was she trying to keep Logan from getting any funny ideas about the two of them? Whichever one it was, Jonas wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to enjoy his new relationship with Libby whether it was real or not.
Before he could answer, the sirens from the ambulance broke the spell between them.
Logan briefed the paramedics of Libby’s history and current condition while they lowered a gurney next to her. Then he turned to Adam and Jonas. “If you fellas want to ride with me, I’ll get you to the hospital right behind the ambulance.”
“I want my fiancé to go with me,” Libby told the paramedics.
One of them looked up. “Which one of you is her fiancé?”
Jonas smiled proudly. “That would be me!”
Logan rolled his eyes at Jonas as he beckoned Adam, Benjamin, and Bethany toward his car at the B&B.
Bethany grabbed Libby’s hand as they were wheeling her into the ambulance. “We’ll be right behind you, and I’ll be praying the whole way for you.”
Libby squeezed Bethany’s hand gently.
“Danki, but I’m not worried. I’m in gut hands.”
She smiled weakly toward Jonas, causing his heart to jump behind his ribcage.
Once inside the ambulance and they were on their way, Libby pulled Jonas down toward her so she could whisper to him while the paramedics put an IV in her other arm.
“I hope you don’t mind that I told Logan a fib about us,” she said quietly.
Jonas swallowed hard. She hadn’t remembered their relationship after all. He almost wished she had because all of the wondering and waiting was torturing him.
“No problem,” was all he could say in response.
“I hope you understand, I only wanted him to leave me alone, so I figured if he thought you and I were engaged he wouldn’t bother me anymore. It scared me to see him taking care of me just now.”
Jonas forced a smile, wondering how she knew when they’d become engaged if she’d really told him a fib about their relationship. “I’ll do anything for you, I hope you know that.”
She smiled back at him. “I’m beginning to.”
CHAPTER 18
“You need to get better so you will be out of here for my wedding on Thursday,” Bethany told Libby.
Libby blew out an impatient sigh. “No one wants me out of here more than I do. If for no other reason than to get away from Logan.”
“How does Jonas feel about him being here?”
“I can tell he doesn’t like it,” Libby admitted. “But he has no real claim on me. We aren’t really engaged, but I think he’s enjoying putting on a show for Logan’s sake.”
“And how do you feel about that arrangement, Libby?”
“To be honest, I don’t like it at all.”
Bethany crossed to the window and looked out at the snowfall. “I thought you were beginning to like him.”
“I am, and that’s why I don’t like it. I just wish it could be real.”
“Jah, but Jonas seems to really care for you. Give it some time, and perhaps he might surprise you.”
“I’m not sure we have much time. Surely he has a life he needs to return to in Nappanee.”
Bethany looked over her shoulder at Libby, who rested upright in her hospital bed. “There is another thing to consider.”
“What is that?” Bethany asked.
“Did you forget that Jonas is Amish?”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Libby said. “But I’ve tried not to think about it too much.”
Bethany sat down on the edge of the bed and faced Libby. “Why is that?”
“Because I feel lost, like I don’t really belong anywhere. Like I’m caught between two worlds.”
“You don’t still think you’re an Englischer, do you?”
“Don’t look at me like that, Bethany. I’m just not certain I believe in the Amish ways.”
“I’ve never heard you talk about such things,” Bethany said. “Where do you suppose these thoughts could have come from?”
“I spent a lot of time with my rebellious cousin in Nappanee, and when mei mamm learned of it, that is when she sent for my return home.”
Bethany smiled. “That is a breakthrough! You didn’t know about that yesterday, did you?”
Libby shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“What else do you remember?”
Libby closed her eyes and thought about it for a minute.
In her mind’s eye she saw snowflakes falling toward her, and she could hear the smooth baritone that belonged to only one man. Jonas.
“Jonas was there with me when I fell on the ice.”
Bethany shook her head. “Nee, he was not. He was in Nappanee, and didn’t know anything about your accident until he arrived here to see you.”
Bethany clamped a hand over her mouth, realizing she’d just let it slip out that Jonas knew her before the accident.
Libby laughed. “You should see your face right now! You look as white as a sheep.”
“I’m sorry, Libby. I didn’t mean to tell you about Jonas.”
Libby narrowed her eyes at Bethany. “Why can’t you tell me about Jonas?”
Bethany threw her hands up. “Don’t get mad at me, but Jonas asked me not to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” Libby asked.
“I can’t tell you. I promised him I wouldn’t.”
Libby huffed. “What about your loyalty to me? We have been friends all our lives.”
“Libby, you are not going to guilt me into telling you. While it’s true, we have been friends all our lives, it is because of that friendship that I will not tell you anything about Jonas.”
“Why not?”
“Because…”
“Because he told you not to,” Libby interrupted and finished Bethany’s sentence.
“And I told him I wouldn’t, and I intend to keep my word.”
“Keep your word to a mann you don’t even know?”
“Don’t question me like that, Libby. It is for your own gut.” Bethany said firmly.
She raised from the corner of the bed and went to window again to stare out at the snow as if it intrigued her in some way. Truth be told, she and Libby could not be more opposite in their love for the seasons. While Libby could live forever in winter, Bethany preferred the summer months, unable to bear the cold weather the way Libby could. She didn’t enjoy ice skating or sledding or any of the delights that came with the winter months that kept Libby the happiest she would be all year round. Although Bethany had to admit she had not ever enjoyed riding in a sleigh until this season with Benjamin, and sitting in front of a roaring fire with him was also romantic, the rest of it—the cold and the snow, she could stand to do without all of it.
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