Without thinking, he ran to her side. “How did it go?”
She tipped her chin to look up at him, her blue eyes squinting into the sunlight. “Only took one shake. The good boy went right in.” She exhaled and turned to look toward the pasture. But Isaac kept his eyes on her.
They’d only just begun their training together; he barely even knew her. But he liked her. He was…interested in her. Where did she get such confidence and bravery? Creativity? He looked at her profile, at her long neck and dimple.
If it was six years ago…
He cut off the unwelcome thought that had crept into his brain. It was ridiculous, no use to think that way. The past was the past, and the present—this very moment—was more important than just about anything in his life.
Grace Zook, even though they had to work together, despite the eyes and womanly figure, would not be a distraction.
Chapter Nine
Grace stood close to the fence. She didn’t know Cincinnati yet, couldn’t recognize a pattern in his behavior. All she knew was, he wanted to run. It had been nearly an hour since that silver truck and its dented trailer had driven away, and the Morgan hadn’t stopped. For a while, her father had stood with her, watching the horse continue to run the perimeter of the pasture, over and over, until he finally went to tend to the other livestock.
Isaac was on the opposite side of the ring, about as far away from Grace as he could be. She wondered why. Hadn’t they had a moment earlier? She’d felt connected to him, at least—connected as in a good partnership, not connected like…anything else.
It was foolish to keep apart like that. She at least needed to know his thoughts about the horse. Once Cincinnati was at the far end of the pasture, Grace began walking across toward Isaac, who was leaning one shoulder against a fence post, the brim of his hat low over his eyes.
Okay, so he did look pretty cute like that. She could report back to Hannah that he was definitely handsome, and charming…at least when he wanted something.
But Sadie.
Yes, and with a wife, he was positively off-limits.
As Grace continued her way across the pasture, she couldn’t help noticing that the second Isaac saw her nearing where he stood, his posture straightened, hands dropping to his sides, gaze sharply focused on her as if she were the wild horse.
His attention so fixated on her made her stomach do a little backflip. By the time she was ten yards away, he’d actually taken a few steps forward to meet her.
“Hey,” she called out, offering a friendly smile.
“Hey.” That riveted expression on his face was still there, and when he turned away, she noticed his corded neck, muscles, and the veins straining against his forearms.
Right then, Grace also noticed that Cincinnati was barreling straight toward her at a full gallop. She picked up her pace, making it to the fence and Isaac’s side a little faster than she’d intended.
“Whoa,” she said, easily getting out of the horse’s way in time. “He’s got so much energy. That was close.”
“That was thoughtless,” he said.
A little out of breath from her quick trot, she stared at him, feeling like a block of ice was suddenly dropped in her stomach. “Pardon?”
Isaac lifted a hand, massaging one of his shoulders. “Shouldn’t you have used the other side of the fence?”
“Why?”
“Because it’s safer.” He blew out a breath. “Because he could’ve killed you.”
Grace put her hands on her hips, that coldness turning to an annoyed heat. “Look here, Isaac King, this is where I grew up. I’ve lived here twenty-three years, and I’ve dealt with twice that many horses.” When he tried to sigh and glance away, she moved into his line of vision. “It might surprise you that I know more about training a horse—any horse—than even my father, and he has more experience than anyone in twenty miles.” When he didn’t reply, she added, “Did you hear me?”
Isaac was staring down at the ground. “Jah,” he finally said, softly.
She cocked her head. “And I’m not about to be treated like a helpless creature who can’t handle herself with a horse.” She took a step toward him. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I see that.” When he glanced up, his hazel eyes softened. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you; I was…concerned for your safety.”
“Okay, then.” Grace wasn’t sure what to do next. She couldn’t just stand there forever with her hands on her hips like a scolding mother. “As long as we’ve got that straight.” She blew out a breath then moved to his side. “And I’m sorry about the lemonade.”
He sent her a sideways glance, a small smile tugging at his lips. “What did you put in that?”
“Nothing,” she said, leaning against the fence. “That’s how Sarah makes it. She’s a terrible cook but, since I’m outside all day, most of the housekeeping tasks fall on her. I don’t think she minds, but she really needs lessons.”
“What about your mother?” Isaac asked.
Grace’s heart froze inside her chest. Was he trying to be funny or mean? “My mother doesn’t cook anymore. She can’t.”
Isaac turned to her, his brows furrowed. “Can’t?”
Grace shook her head. “Not for the past five years.”
“Why?”
Evidently her father hadn’t said anything to Isaac about Maam’s situation. It wasn’t a secret; how could it be? But still, Grace felt it would be a betrayal, talking about her behind her back to someone she barely knew.
“It’s a long story,” she simply stated.
And when she didn’t go on, Isaac said, “Okay,” and they both set their focus on Cincinnati as he galloped by. “What do you think about him?” Isaac asked.
Grace paid close attention to the horse’s legs as he ran across the field. “Surprisingly good gait,” she said. “Probably a natural jumper.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Isaac said. “He’s rhythmic. I wonder if there’s any dressage experience in his bloodline. If he’s got any brains in him, he’d probably catch right on.”
“We’re training him to jump.”
“We can train him to do anything.” He paused. “At least I can.”
Grace stared at him, wondering if he was attempting to tease her, because hadn’t she just explained to him that she was the best around? When his expression didn’t change, she felt her teeth grind. “I don’t know about you, but I intend to stay focused.” She turned away from him. “You obviously don’t understand how important this job is.”
“Believe me, I understand plenty.” When he looked at her, his hazel eyes flashed, giving him an intensity that she hadn’t noticed, even when he’d been about to walk into Cincinnati’s trailer alone.
Well, she could be just as intense.
“All I’m saying is my father may have hired you, but that doesn’t mean you’re calling the shots.” She made herself stand as tall and confident as possible. “This is my home—my training farm. My father may trust you right off the bat, but that doesn’t mean I do.”
“Who said—” Isaac suddenly cut himself off, then looked down at the ground. Whatever he’d been about to say, he suddenly thought better of it. Grace was no mind reader, but she could’ve made a good guess.
“Trust is earned,” she added, softening the firmness in her voice.
“Just like with a horse.”
Grace blinked. “Exactly.” For a moment, they shared a gaze. How would she ever learn to really trust this man? This man who’d come to take her job? Her future? The only future she’d ever wanted?
“Well, it’s been a long day for me,” he said while rubbing the back of his neck.
Grace suddenly remembered that he’d traveled all the way from Silver Springs today, or at least halfway. Then stopped at the Chupp’s before coming here. He must be
exhausted.
“I’ll corral him,” she said.
Isaac opened his mouth, probably ready to tell her he would do it, but then, surprisingly, he nodded. “Mind if I watch?”
Chapter Ten
It was like muscle memory—the way Isaac could jump in and help with the evening milking. He’d been working with horses for so long that a lot of the basic farm duties were left to the others around him. But he wasn’t about to not pitch in, even though he was paying for room and board.
“Last one?” Samuel Chupp asked while taking a long drink of water from an old milk jug.
“Aye,” Isaac said, feeling good about his day’s work, but also mighty exhausted. Not only because of the long ride from Silver Springs, or even from the sun beating down on his head and body all day. No, he figured most of it was mental exhaustion.
That…Sin, he thought as he followed Samuel over to an outdoor sink to wash up. Never seen anything like him. He’s strong and mighty, energetic as a racer, and I know he’ll be a magnificent show horse, if only he had the slightest interest in interacting with humans.
He chuckled inside, remembering Grace’s attempt to corral him. It took nearly an hour, and the ornery woman’s pretty face was glowing with heat and effort, long strands of her dark hair hanging loose from her kapp, by the time she was done.
Not that Isaac could’ve done much better on his own.
Cincinnati’s nickname was sure appropriate.
He knew he was smiling as he recalled when Grace finally shut the wooden gate, the panting horse safely on the other side, in his new home for the first time.
“Piece of cake,” she’d said, making Isaac almost laugh. The brightness of her eyes and complexion—that was what Isaac was picturing most clearly now. Her happy smile. She was a mighty hard worker, never giving up, never asking for help. Not that Isaac wouldn’t have offered any. He’d been interested to see how she would do. And again, he’d walked away more than impressed with Grace Zook.
“Have you seen Sadie?” he asked Samuel as they walked toward the house, needing to clear his mind of his boss’s daughter.
“Most likely with Eliza and Emma in the garden. They’ll stay out there until the last flicker of daylight. We take our boots off here,” Samuel added as they reached a door on the side of the house, a sort of side porch with numerous pairs of muddy boots in a variety of sizes.
Entering the house in his stocking feet, behind his host, he saw the kitchen was bright and noisy with several women, both young and old bustling around. Isaac half expected to see Martha. Then he blinked and searched the room for Sadie.
“Anything I can help with?” Isaac asked Samuel. “Looks like a lot’s going on.”
“I wouldn’t step foot in there, if I were you,” he replied with a smile. “There’s an order to their chaos, though I will look to see if the trash needs to be taken out. That’s about all I’m good for in these situations. Feel free to sit on the couch until supper or rest up in your room. Wherever you’re comfortable.”
“Danke,” Isaac said. He chose to stay in the big family room, admiring the energy and rhythm coming from the kitchen, reminding him of his own upbringing. He and Daniel had been the only boys born to their parents, along with four daughters. He smiled inside, thinking of his sister’s blackberry pies.
A knot formed in his gut, one that he’d been living with the past few years. Had he simply gotten used to it, or had it returned at the sight of a big, happy family? Something he didn’t have anymore, but desperately wanted.
“Someone’s messing with the chicken coops again,” said a young man who came in through the front door. He looked to be in his early twenties. “I used a stapler to fix it this time.”
“Good idea,” Samuel said. “How long you expect it to hold?”
The young man shrugged and removed his hat. “Not long. I’ll replace it soon as I can.” Then he disappeared up the stairs.
“We’re eating soon, son!” Samuel called up the stairs, getting only an inaudible grunt in reply.
“More than soon,” added Dorothy Chupp, Samuel’s wife. She was short and plump with the cheeriest disposition. When they’d met last week, Isaac had instantly liked her. “Would you call in the girls from the gard—”
Cutting her off mid-sentence, the front door flew open and two little girls came running inside. “Emma,” Dorothy continued, “take your little sister upstairs to wash up.” Without a word, they, too, disappeared to the second floor.
“Daddy!” Isaac’s heart welled up when he turned back to the front door.
“Sadie!” he couldn’t help calling out as his daughter came running toward him, the hem of her little dress brown with dirt. Isaac didn’t care. He caught her in a big hug. “Oh, meine liebling dochder,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head, pulling her onto his lap. “What kind of mischief did you get into today?”
She giggled, making Isaac’s heart swell. “Nichts, Papa,” she said, smiling up at him, her eyes matching her mother’s to a T, causing that knot in his gut to tighten once again. Would it ever go away?
“Do you know where to wash your hands?” he asked, his gaze pointing toward the staircase.
“Jah, Papa.” Her big eyes brightened.
Isaac cocked his head. “Quickly, then. We don’t want to hold up dinner, do we?” With that, Sadie ran to the stairs, nearly as fast as Cincinnati.
“She’s adorable,” Dorothy Chupp said. “Perfectly beautiful.”
Isaac relaxed into a smile. “She looks like her mother.”
“Nay,” one of the older girls said. “I think she looks like you.”
“Aye,” another of the daughters chimed in, pressing her lips together. “Exactly like you.”
Isaac was beginning to feel warm with embarrassment as so many female eyes were suddenly fixed on him.
“Ahem.” Dorothy cleared her throat after a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on forever. “Dinnertime.”
Isaac let out a sigh of relief when Samuel Chupp’s dochders went back to their kitchen duties. He escaped up the stairs to find Sadie in their bedroom changing her dress.
“I got dirty,” she said, pulling it over her head.
“I see that.” He crouched down to help her. “You had fun, though, I think?”
“Oh, jah—I can do that, Daed,” she said, brushing his hand away when he went to help with the hooks inside the side pleats of her clean dress. “Emma taught me this morning.”
Isaac balanced back on his heels. “I see. Very gut, indeed.” She was growing up so fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that she learned to walk, said her first words, chased the newborn chicks around the yard?
Why, then, did it feel like a thousand years ago since he’d carried his then-four-year-old daughter home, alone in their house for the first time…just the two of them?
“I’m ready,” Sadie said, attempting to tie the strings of her bonnet under her chin.
“You can leave those loose if you want,” he said, “like the bigger girls do.”
Sadie thought for a moment, then nodded. “Ew-key, Daed,” she said in a singsong voice, sounding much too grown up.
Most of the family was gathered at the table by the time they made it downstairs.
“You can sit next to me,” one of the older daughters said, pointing at the empty chair at her side. Isaac swallowed, trying to ignore her all-too-welcoming smile. He’d never had an issue with the Amish tradition of marrying young, but she couldn’t have been more than seventeen—a ten-year age gap.
“I made a special place for Isaac and Sadie right here,” Dorothy said, pulling out a long bench on the other side of the table.
“Danke,” Isaac said, while Sadie ran to take her place.
“We’re waiting for you, Collin,” Samuel called out. A moment later, his son came stomping down the stairs. He’
d washed up and wore a clean white shirt.
After the blessing on the food, Isaac was immediately passed the bowl of roasted potatoes. First, he dished some up for Sadie and for himself, then passed it on. Before long, his plate was full of delicious-smelling food.
“I heard you say something to your daed about the chicken coop?” Dorothy asked Collin. “Does it look like the same damage as over at the Kings’?”
Collin’s mouth was full, so he nodded. “Pretty sure someone messed with it,” he finally said.
“A group of kids from a few towns over,” Samuel said, leaning closer to Isaac. “They’ve been vandalizing some folks’ property.”
“Not just vandalizing, Daed,” Collin said, his lips set in a snarl. “They set a fire over near the feedstore. And they’re always lighting off those Englisher sparkler things in the middle of the night, even when the grass is dry.”
Samuel sighed. “We can only hope their parents keep a better eye on them.”
“I’d love to get my hands on just one of ’em,” Collin said with half of his mouth full. Something about the kid’s boldness made Isaac want to chuckle.
“How was it out at the Zooks’ place today?” Samuel asked as he scooped up a large spoonful of green peas.
“The gaul came just as I arrived,” Isaac replied while helping Sadie cut her slice of roast beef. “He’s a big one, powerful, years of pent-up energy, if I had to guess. Might take all my patience, but I’ve got help. John’s daughter.”
“You talking about Grace?” Collin asked, lowering his fork. “John Zook’s Grace?”
“Jah,” Isaac said, wondering why the kid suddenly looked so interested. No, not interested—intense. “She’s good with the horse, corralled him herself, even though he seemed dead set on killing her.”
Collin slammed down his fist, shaking the table. “I told her to stop that, but she won’t listen.”
“Girl’s got a mind of her own,” Dorothy said after taking a drink of milk. “Been like that since she was knee-high.”
“Stop what?” Isaac couldn’t help asking.
The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming Page 6
