The Innkeeper's Bride

by Kathleen Fuller

  “Selah, I’m sure.” She chuckled. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Ya,” she said, thinking about Levi again. “I am.”

  “Gut. We were all a little worried when Levi said you didn’t feel well.”

  We’ll just keep that between ourselves. She smiled. “Fortunately it didn’t last very long.”

  Nina grew quiet, and Selah figured she’d fallen back asleep. Selah closed her eyes and started to drift.

  “Do you like mei bruder?”

  Her eyes flew open. “What?”

  “Just wondering.”

  She hesitated. “He’s a gut boss.”

  “He’s learning to be. Daed is technically yer boss, though. Levi will geh back to being the handyman when Daed is well enough to work again.”

  Selah couldn’t imagine Levi being just a handyman, not that the work was beneath him. Maintaining the inn was an important job. But he’d slipped into the role of innkeeper with such ease that it seemed tailor-made for him.

  “Selah?”

  “Ya?”

  “I think mei bruder likes you.” The covers rustled as Nina rolled over. “Gute nacht.”

  Selah was too shocked to respond. Levi liked her? He barely knew her.

  But was Nina right? Levi had not only seen her in one of her worst moments but had offered her an excuse for what happened even though he knew it wasn’t the truth. He did know her, at least more than she wanted him to.

  None of that mattered, though. If he found out who she really was and what she had done, he wouldn’t like her at all.

  * * *

  “Yer turn.”

  Although Selah’s voice was soft, he could hear it through the door. He’d wait a few more minutes, which was taking some effort, before he got up. A part of him didn’t want to make it more awkward for her by meeting in the hallway again, but another part wanted to see her again.

  He threw his arm over his eyes. He’d almost admitted to her what he hadn’t even been able to admit to himself—he cared for her. That fact had been driven home when he found her shaking and terrified on the bottom step of the stairs. It hadn’t taken him long to recognize what she was going through—a panic attack. A friend back in Wisconsin used to get them after he’d been in a farming accident when he was eighteen, and Levi had witnessed attacks on two separate occasions. Micah had explained what they were and had even told him how they made him feel. “Like mei heart is exploding in mei chest,” he’d said. “I hope you never have to geh through one.” He’d hoped so too.

  Levi couldn’t imagine what had caused Selah’s panic attack since they’d only been talking at the table. But he’d never know because he wasn’t going to bring it up to her again. Still, it added to his concern. Whatever had happened to her in the past—when, he now believed, someone had hurt her deeply—seemed to have had a lasting effect.

  He sat up and scrubbed his hand over his face. This was a problem. He couldn’t afford to like Selah. He had too much to deal with right now, and he would never get involved with an employee. But none of that affected how he felt. Somehow, he’d have to set those feelings aside whenever he saw her. He wanted her to trust him, and the only way she would do that was if he proved she could by keeping his distance. That would help him in the long run too.

  His feet were still cold from the floor, and he rushed to the bathroom, finishing as fast as he could before hurrying back to bed. He turned off the small flashlight and lay there in the dark, his eyes wide open. How was he supposed to sleep with Selah just a few feet away? He hadn’t seen this as a problem when Nina suggested Selah share her room, but that was before he’d admitted to himself that he cared about Selah. Even now, all he could think about was whether she was okay. Was she able to fall asleep? Or was she still feeling anxiety? How could he help her if she was?

  By staying away, remember?

  Levi flopped onto his side and punched his pillow. Other than to say hello to Jackson, he’d spend the next day in the office. Hopefully the snow would let up by evening and Selah would go home. They had church on Sunday at Barbara and Daniel Raber’s, but he could avoid Selah there. By Monday morning he’d have his feelings under control and they’d go back to a normal employer/employee relationship. Easy as pie, right?

  He groaned. Who was he kidding? Nothing would be easy when it came to him and Selah Ropp.

  Chapter 12

  When Levi woke up the next morning, well before dawn and after getting next to no sleep, he put on his snow gear and went outside to do the morning chores. Before he went to bed last night, Nina had already taken care of feeding Rusty for him. Taking turns wasn’t unusual for them, although it always struck him that she never offered to take turns cleaning the barn, just feeding the horse. That figured.

  The minute he stepped outside, he faltered. The wind wasn’t blowing as hard, but the frigid air sliced through his thick clothes to his skin. He grabbed the snow shovel and furiously dug a path to the barn. By the time he reached it, he was warmer. He leaned the shovel against the barn and went inside to feed the horse and give him fresh hay, and then he rushed back inside and changed into dry clothing. Even with all the work he’d just done, it was still only five a.m.

  He went to the kitchen, intending to grab an apple and head straight for the office at the inn. But he was surprised to see Grossmutter already bustling around the kitchen. She started pouring what looked like blueberry muffin batter into a tin. Between the banana bread, the orange twists from Yoder’s Bakery, and now blueberry muffins, Jackson would get his fill of bread and pastries. He glanced out the kitchen window. Although he couldn’t see much in the dark, the snow was built up around the edges of the outside window, and he could still hear the wind. “You’re up extra early this morning,” he said.

  “It takes time to prepare a gut breakfast.” She put the muffin tin into the oven. “Selah’s over in the prep kitchen getting everything else ready.”

  “Oh.” Since he was avoiding her, he might as well have his morning meal here, then. “What’s for breakfast besides muffins?”

  She turned to him. “Geh to the inn and find out yerself.”

  “What about Daed? And I thought I’d eat here.”

  “I’ll make oatmeal for him when he gets up.” She wiped her hands on the skirt of her apron. “Why do you want to eat breakfast here instead of in the lobby?”

  He sat down at the table. “I’m used to eating it here.”

  “Get used to eating it at the inn. I’m not making double breakfasts. There will be plenty of food for everyone there.”

  “Got it.” But he didn’t move.

  “What?” she said, putting the batter bowl in the sink and turning on the tap.

  “Just waiting for the shenanigans. I know they’re coming.”

  Grossmutter turned off the water and faced him. “I promise nee shenanigans. Or tomfoolery or meddling.”

  “Wait.” He held up his hand. “You mean to tell me you’re not going to make a sly comment about me and Selah being alone in the inn?”

  “You won’t be alone. Jackson is there.”

  “I doubt he wakes up before the chickens.”

  She poured a cup of coffee and set it on the table. Before he could reach for it, she sat down and took a drink from it. “You’ve been telling me for a long time to stay out of yer business. Now that I am, you’re not happy about it.”

  “I am,” he said. “I’m confused, that’s all.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ve never taken me seriously before.”

  She nodded. “I should have. It doesn’t matter that you and Selah like each other—” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Never mind. Bad habit.”

  “We don’t like each other.” He ran the heel of his hand back and forth on the table.

  “So you say,” she mumbled.

  “Ya, I say. She’s mei employee, you know. Having a relationship isn’t ethical.”

  “She’ll be yer coworker soon enough. Yer daed won’t
be on crutches forever.”

  “Still not ethical.”

  “So you say.”

  He shot up from the table. “I’m going to work.”

  She pushed back her chair and stood. “Take this to Selah.” She handed him a stack of folded cloth napkins Levi had seen her making months before. “I forgot to give them to her before she left.”

  He took the napkins and grabbed an apple. So much for avoiding Selah.

  * * *

  Selah had overestimated how much time it would take to prepare breakfast. She had already warmed the breakfast casserole, set out several flavors of individual yogurt cups, put the fruit slush into a bowl, and sliced the bread. Just a few more tasks to do and she would be finished. She wasn’t sure what she’d do after that. But hiding out in the prep kitchen was preferable to lying in bed unable to sleep, which had been the problem after she’d talked to Levi in the hallway. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get him off her mind. At least here she didn’t have to worry about running into him first thing in the morning.

  She peeked out the door to see if Jackson was up, and she wasn’t surprised when she saw the lobby empty. Breakfast didn’t officially start until six. She stepped back into the kitchen and stood there, staring at the clock.

  “Grossmutter asked me to bring these to you.”

  Selah jumped at the sound of Levi’s voice. She put her hand over her heart. “You scared me.”

  “I’m sorry.” His eyes widened behind his glasses. “Are you okay?”

  “If you mean am I going to have another meltdown, nee.” She turned from him, embarrassed again—and irritated that there didn’t seem to be anywhere for her to go without him showing up. Not that it was his fault. How am I supposed to avoid him, Lord, if we keep running into each other? She took the napkins from him. “Danki.”

  He nodded, not looking at her. “The woodstove is out. I’ll geh relight it and get more wood.”

  She froze. In her hurry to get breakfast started—and avoid Levi—she hadn’t paid attention to the stove. The small oven in the prep kitchen had heated quickly and warmed the entire space, but the heat wouldn’t warm up the lobby. “I’ll do it,” she said, heading for the door.

  Levi blocked her way. “I said I would do it.”

  “But it’s mei job.”

  “Lighting the stove and getting firewood isn’t in yer job description.”

  She couldn’t keep herself from looking up at him. “I don’t remember getting a written job description.”

  “It was in yer paperwork.” A twitch of a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

  “Nee, it wasn’t.” She fought to hide a grin.

  “Hmm. I’d better get busy making one so there’s no confusion going forward.” The ghost of a smile disappeared. “About anything.”

  Her gaze remained locked on his handsome face. His glasses seemed to disappear as she looked at his green eyes and honey-colored lashes. Her heart started to thrum—and not because she was anxious. She wasn’t even ill at ease. She felt something else, something that drew her to him despite every protest and excuse she could come up with.

  Then he moved away from her. “I, uh, better get the woodstove going before Jackson wakes up.”

  She blinked, her pulse still humming. She also took a step back, still trying to collect herself. “Uh, right.”

  He dashed out the door.

  Selah sagged against the kitchen counter, willing her heartbeat to slow, her irritation high. Her attraction to Levi not only stunned her but felt stronger than anything she’d ever experienced. This isn’t good, Lord. Not good at all. And no job description would clear up her confusion.

  But if she were whole and normal, she could easily let herself fall for Levi Stoll.

  * * *

  When Jackson woke up, pale-gray light peeked through the gap in the window curtains. He looked at his phone, which he’d charged last night. Seven thirty. He normally didn’t get up until eight, or sometimes nine, but he was wide awake after sleeping so hard that he hadn’t moved all night. He stretched, shifting around the soft, comfortable quilt that had kept him extra warm.

  He got out of bed, his bare feet landing on the cold wood floor, and walked to the window. He drew back the curtain, and his mouth dropped open at the sight. Snow blanketed the entire back property of the inn. The drifts were halfway up one side of a small barn and a shed several yards away from the house, and more snow was coming down. This was one incredible snowstorm.

  His stomach growled, and he quickly got ready for the day and dressed in an old Cleveland State sweatshirt and jeans. He hadn’t thought to bring an extra pair of shoes, so he put his hiking boots back on. Fortunately they were waterproof and warm so his feet wouldn’t freeze while he was digging out his car—whenever that would be.

  As he went downstairs to the lobby, he took in a deep breath. The delicious scents of breakfast filled the air. Real breakfast. He doubted he’d find organic fruity loops or tofu bacon in this place.

  Selah walked out of the small kitchen off the lobby. “Good morning,” she said. She went to the woodstove and opened the double front doors, and then she closed them again. Turning around, she said, “Would you like some breakfast?”

  “That would be nice.” He paused, remembering how she had fled from supper last night. “You look like you’re feeling better.”

  “Um, yes. Much better.”

  “Good. I’m gonna get some coffee.” He went to the beverage station and poured himself a mug of steaming caffeinated and then sat down at one of the tables. He glanced over his shoulder when Nina walked into the lobby.

  “Morning,” she said. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

  “Selah’s getting it for me.” He swiveled in his chair so he could face her. He’d enjoyed seeing her tease Levi last night. He’d taken it in stride. Growing up, he’d always wanted a brother or sister. Being an only child, especially in his family, had been a lonely existence.

  “My grandmother made a delicious breakfast this morning. Do you want a copy of the paper to read? We only have yesterday’s, though.” She glanced at the front door, half the glass fogged over. “I thought it would stop snowing by now.”

  “Sure. I didn’t get a chance to read up on the news yesterday.” Normally he checked his phone for news, but here at the inn, it wasn’t hard to set his electronics aside.

  “I’ll get it for you.” She went to the front desk and pulled out a paper from behind the counter.

  “How’s your father doing this morning?” he asked as she handed it to him.

  “He’s up and around, which is good. Cranky, which my grandmother says is also good.” Her thick brown eyebrows furrowed. “She doesn’t have to deal with him, though. I hope the snow is cleared out by Monday. He has a follow-up doctor’s appointment in Akron.”

  “I’m sure they’ll get the snowplows running soon.”

  “Usually our roads are the last ones to get plowed. But that’s the way things go.” She shrugged. “Dad asked me to get a couple of orange twists for him. I’ll see you later.” She turned and went into the kitchen.

  Orange twists? He’d never heard of those before. Jackson opened the newspaper and sipped his coffee as he perused the articles. Not many of them interested him—he didn’t like politics, which was the main thing even in the local news. He glanced at the sports page, but his attention drifted as he looked up and around the lobby.

  As he’d been last night in his room, he was struck by how quiet it was here. The background noise of daily life he was used to was missing—the hum of electrical appliances, the ringing and dinging of cell phones, the clamor of televisions, which seemed to be everywhere. He didn’t think he could live off the grid like this, which wasn’t even off the grid considering they had electricity in the inn. But being away from the stresses of life for even a little while made his problems fade into the background. He didn’t realize how much he needed this.

  He chuckled and folded the pap
er. Without knowing it, his father had done him a huge favor.

  * * *

  Selah placed a small cup of fruit slush on a tray, next to a heaping portion of the breakfast casserole on a plate. Since Jackson hadn’t come down as early as she’d thought he would, she’d put a few items away so they wouldn’t get too cold or too hot. Because of that it took her more time to get everything ready for him now. She’d have to figure out a better system before more guests arrived, or everyone would be complaining about a late breakfast.

  She picked up the tray and had turned around to take it to Jackson when Nina walked into the kitchen, startling her. She gripped the tray and steadied herself. “Oh, that was close.”

  Nina went to her. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Selah glanced at the dishes. Thankfully everything remained where she’d put it.

  “I just came to get some orange twists for Daed. He loves those things. Do you need any help?”

  “I’m capable of preparing and serving breakfast, Nina.”

  Nina balked. “Sorry. I was just offering.”

  Selah sighed. This was the second time she’d been startled this morning, and she was getting edgy. It wasn’t Levi and Nina’s fault, though. Maybe missing her medicine, having a panic attack, and the lack of sleep were all affecting her. That, and her attraction to Levi. She shook her head, unwilling to dwell on that thought. “Nee, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Danki for offering.”

  “Are you okay?” Nina frowned. “I can serve Jackson breakfast if you’re still not feeling well.”

  She tempered her words. “I’m fine, really. A little tired. Probably not as much as you since you slept on the floor.”

  “I feel great.” Grinning, Nina picked up a plate and placed two orange twists on it. “I should sleep on the floor more often.”

  Selah suspected she was saying that for her benefit, but Nina did look happy and refreshed. She wished she could say the same thing about herself. “I better get this out to him before it gets cold.” As Nina turned toward the mudroom to take Loren his twists, Selah backed out of the swinging kitchen door.