“Do you want to discuss it with her?” Lydia Ann asked.
Caroline nodded. “I do. I think she would be thrilled at the thought of Emma and Noah adopting the baby.”
Lydia Ann smiled. “I won’t mention it to Emma until you’ve spoken to Valerie. I don’t want to get her hopes up.”
“And there are probably a thousand layers of red tape to make something like that happen,” Caroline said. “But I have a great lawyer. He’s made a lot of money from us over the years. I have no doubt he can take charge of the situation if needed.” She smiled. “Thanks for talking this out with me. I feel like a load has been lifted.”
Lydia Ann walked to the counter and wiped a smudge from the glass. “I’m glad to help.”
Chapter Forty
Michael stopped at the crosswalk and waited for the light to change. He’d had a tough time waking up today. Thankfully, there was a Starbucks near his office to provide him with a much-needed mid-morning coffee break.
His cell phone buzzed on his hip. He pulled the phone from its holster and glanced at the number. He recognized the area code as a DC number, so he picked up.
“Could I speak to Michael Landis?” a deep voice said.
“Speaking.”
“This is Harold Blaze with the Washington Daily Journal.”
Michael’s heart quickened. “Hello, Mr. Blaze.” Michael had interviewed with the Daily Journal before he ever left DC.
“I’m sorry to just now be getting back with you. But we’ve had an opening here that I thought you might be interested in.”
They almost never had openings. In fact, the only way Michael had scored an interview in the first place was because his boss had an “in” with the editor there. “I’m honored.”
“Is the e-mail address I have for you still current? I can send you a job description and you can see if it might be something you’d be interested in. But with your background and experience, I think it would be a good fit.”
“Yes, sir. Please send it over.”
“I’ll include an official offer letter, which will explain the salary and benefits. I think it’s a package you’ll be pleased with.”
“Thank you. I’ll be looking for it.” Michael clicked off his phone and leaned against the brick building. His emotions were mixed. So mixed.
If this had been two months ago, it would’ve been a no-brainer. This was easily a dream job for him. But now…so much had changed. And he couldn’t help but think maybe it was all God’s way of teaching him about what was really important. He was glad that he’d come back home. Spending time with his family had made him realize how much he’d neglected them. He never wanted that to happen again. And meeting Caroline had given him a new perspective on things. He’d never had much of a desire for a home and family of his own. But since he’d met her, he’d come to realize that his idea of what it meant to be successful had shifted.
He walked into his office building and sat down at his cubicle. His eyes went to the picture of himself and Caroline, hugged up together on his parents’ front porch. As much as he’d complained about his mom’s incessant need to document things by taking pictures, he was glad to have the moment captured.
She was laughing, and he was glancing over at her with adoration written all over his face. It was a perfect moment.
He sighed. And now, to be faced with a decision like this one. It just seemed unfair. But he opened the e-mail from Mr. Blaze anyway and printed the offer letter.
The very generous offer.
He’d have to talk to Caroline about it later.
Normally, he loved to share things with her. But this time, dread washed over him.
He’d tried hard to avoid having to define their relationship before it was time. But it appeared that this job offer might make it a necessity.
And even though he was pretty sure where he stood with her, he wasn’t sure enough to know what the outcome of the conversation would be.
Caroline finished reading a Dr. Seuss book to the children and put it back on the shelf. “Thanks for being such good listeners today,” she said.
“Miss Caroline,” a little blond-haired girl tugged on her sleeve. “Can you read another story?”
Caroline smiled down at the girl. She couldn’t be more than four. “Sure. Do you want to hear another Dr. Seuss?”
The little girl shook her head. “Fancy Nancy, please.”
Caroline reached for the popular book and grinned. “Okay. One more story.” As she read, she kept an eye on the little girl. She sat at rapt attention, laughing at her favorite parts.
For a long moment, Caroline honestly felt as if she could feel the emptiness inside her from having never carried a child. A little blond girl—that had always been her dream. She’d have Caroline’s crooked smile and Lance’s athletic ability. But that dream had been replaced with other dreams.
And although now Caroline knew she was in a happy place, she couldn’t help but feel like a child would complete her life. To love and be loved unconditionally. Was she making the right decision about Valerie and Lance’s child? Or was her own fear holding her back from raising a baby who needed her?
She quickly finished the story and smiled at the kids. “That’s all for today. But if you come back next Tuesday, we’ll pick a new story.”
The kids cheered.
“Are you okay?” Lydia Ann asked as Caroline made her way to the cash register.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just second-guessing myself. That’s always been one of my special talents.”
Lydia Ann smiled. “Pray about it. Eventually you will reach a decision that gives you peace.”
“I know you’re right. But these days when I pray, I feel like I must sound very whiny.” She twisted her mouth into a smile. “I need to work on that. Praying not just when I need or want something, but when I’m thankful and feeling blessed.”
Lydia Ann fingered the tie on her kapp. “Without ceasing.”
Caroline nodded. She’d asked one time about the kapp Amish women wore. She’d learned that they were prayer kapps to help remind them to be in constant prayer. And although Caroline might not take up the practice of wearing one, it shouldn’t mean that she couldn’t have a more active prayer life. “I know it’s short notice, but what are you doing tonight? Do you have plans?”
Lydia Ann shook her head. “Nothing special that I know about. Leah mentioned going to Target to get a few things, and I thought I might go with her.” She glanced at Caroline. “Why?”
“I thought it might be fun to have you over for dinner.” She grinned. “I’ve been bragging to Michael that I’m a good cook, but he doesn’t seem to believe me. I thought you and Simon might want to come over too. And Katie and Mary are welcome to stay as well. Bandit would love the attention.”
“That does sound fun.” Lydia Ann grinned. “Katie and Mary will probably want to go with Leah, though. They love Target.”
Caroline laughed. “Girls after my own heart.”
Chapter Forty-One
Simon pulled up to the bookstore in his buggy just minutes before Michael got there. “Hello,” he called.
Michael waved. “How’s it goin’?” he asked, walking over as Simon climbed out of the buggy.
“Pretty well.”
“When’s your next doctor’s appointment?”
Simon grimaced. “Next week.” He’d already decided not to tell anyone what was happening until he had a certain diagnosis. And he definitely planned to go alone.
“If you need me to drive you, just holler.”
The two of them walked up the steps to the store.
Simon’s symptoms had lessened over the past week, except for the fatigue. It didn’t seem to matter how many hours of sleep he got each night, he still felt run-down. “Thanks. I think I’ll just drive myself. You know how those appointments can take awhile.” He grinned. “And I don’t like for anyone to have to wait on me.”
Michael nodded. “Okay. But if you change
your mind, the offer stands.” He rapped on the door of the store. “I have no idea what she’s cooking tonight, but I hope it’s edible.”
Simon chuckled. “You don’t have much faith in her, do you?”
“I have tons of faith in her. But she’s already told me that her cooking skills are rusty. And I looked at the oven in this place. It’s older than we are.” He grinned. “So I have Domino’s on speed dial just in case.”
“I heard that,” Caroline said, swinging open the door. “And you can just turn your phone off, mister.” She swatted at Michael.
Simon hung back, watching the two of them interact. He didn’t remember ever seeing Michael so happy.
“Simon,” Lydia Ann said, walking into the room, “I’m glad you could come.”
He grinned. “Did you have a busy day?”
She nodded. “Jah. We had a lot of children today for the story time.”
Simon glanced around. “Speaking of children, where are Katie and Mary?”
“They’re with Leah. But they’ll be sad they missed you.”
He grinned. “You’ll have to bring them to the farm soon. We just had a new calf born.”
“Maybe Saturday,” she said, smiling. She motioned toward the closed kitchen door, where Caroline had gone. “I’m going to go see if she needs some help. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He watched her leave.
“Everything okay?” Michael asked.
Simon glanced at his friend and nodded. “Fine.”
“You and Lydia Ann seem to get along well,” Michael observed. “Is there more to the story than just friendship?”
Simon rubbed his jaw. “I think so. I care a lot about her. And her daughters.” He shook his head. “But at the same time, spending time with her and getting closer to her is tough.”
Michael furrowed his brow. “Why? It sounds pretty great to me.”
“Because I’m afraid she’s going to leave soon. She’s considering staying here, but when it comes down to it, I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”
“That’s tough.” Michael shook his head. “But I know what you mean. It’s hard to let yourself get close to someone while knowing it’s likely you’ll be ripped apart.”
Simon shrugged. “I guess at some point you have to take a leap of faith, just like with anything that’s important. There’s always an element of uncertainty.”
“No guarantees,” Michael mused.
Simon pondered his friend’s words. There were no guarantees in this life. The Lord didn’t even promise them tomorrow. So maybe it was time he stopped fretting about the future and focused more on the present.
Michael ate the last bite of poppy-seed chicken on his plate and wiped his mouth with a paper towel. “Okay. I take it all back. You’re totally a good cook.” He grinned at the pleased expression on Caroline’s face. “This was delicious.”
Simon nodded, still chewing. “It is very good. And I’m not just saying that because Lydia Ann told me to.”
Lydia Ann burst out laughing. “Don’t listen to him. It’s so good I might need to borrow the recipe.”
“Mama used to make it on my birthday,” Caroline said. “And it became my go-to meal when I had company.”
Michael grinned. “Well, I can see why.”
Caroline stood and began to clear the table. “I didn’t have time to make dessert, though. Sorry.”
Lydia Ann stood to help but Michael shook his head at her.
“I’ll help her.” He stood. “You stay here and keep Simon company.” He grinned and grabbed a couple of dirty plates. He followed Caroline into the kitchen. “Thanks for dinner,” he said, putting the plates down on the counter.
“No problem.” She smiled. “I told you I enjoy cooking. Just wait until you taste my apple pie.”
He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. “I’ll bet it could give Betty Crocker a run for her money.” He nuzzled her neck. “I missed you today.”
She giggled. “Stop it. Lydia Ann and Simon are just on the other side of the door.”
He kissed her cheek. “They’re busy making googly eyes at each other,” he whispered. “They’ve probably forgotten we’re here.”
Laughing, she indulged him in a quick kiss. “I highly doubt it.” She grabbed his hand. “Now come on and act right.”
He followed her into the other room, where Simon and Lydia Ann sat talking quietly.
“Does anyone want some coffee?” Caroline asked.
Lydia Ann shook her head. “Actually, Simon and I were just talking. He offered to drop me off on his way home.” She smiled. “I need to get back to Dat and Leah’s before Mary and Katie’s bedtime.”
“Oh, of course,” Caroline said. She turned to Michael. “How about you? Do you need to leave now, or do you want me to put on a pot of coffee?”
He grinned. “I guess I can stay a little while.” He winked. “If you insist.”
Caroline playfully shoved him. “You’re impossible.”
Simon and Lydia Ann stood.
“Dinner was very gut. Thank you for inviting me,” Simon said.
Lydia Ann motioned toward the remaining dishes. “I’d be happy to help with those before we go, though.”
Caroline shook her head. “You helped so much with dinner.” She smiled. “You haven’t even been home today, and I know you must be tired after the long day we had.”
“It was a full day,” Lydia Ann agreed.
Michael and Caroline walked to the door and watched Lydia Ann and Simon climb into the waiting buggy.
“See you tomorrow,” Caroline called. She closed the door and turned to face Michael.
Even though he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her, he knew that he needed to talk to her about the job he’d been offered today. He’d tried to put it out of his mind during dinner, but it had been hanging over him all day.
He knew he’d feel much better when it was out in the open….
Especially if he and Caroline were on the same page about things.
Chapter Forty-Two
Lydia Ann glanced over at Simon’s handsome profile. “I appreciate your taking me home tonight.”
Simon grinned. “It isn’t a problem. I’m happy to do it.” He looked over at her. “Would you want to go get an ice-cream cone or something? Or do you need to get straight home?”
The chance to spend a few minutes alone with Simon was too good to pass up. “Ice cream sounds great.” She chuckled. “As long as you don’t tell Katie and Mary. They would eat ice cream for every meal if they could.”
“Smart girls.”
They rode in companionable silence.
The sun hadn’t quite gone down yet, and Lydia Ann enjoyed the last gleaming rays of light. “It sure is a beautiful night,” she remarked.
“Made better by good company,” Simon said with a smile, guiding the buggy into a parking lot.
Once they had their ice-cream cones, they sat down at a picnic table outside the dairy bar.
“This is one of my favorite things about summer.” Simon waved his strawberry cone in the air. “Cool ice cream after a hot day.”
Lydia Ann nodded. “Back home, we have a little general store that sells scoops of ice cream. It’s right down the street from where my quilt shop is…” She trailed off momentarily. “Or at least, where it used to be. Before the tornado.”
“Do you miss Charm?”
She shrugged. “I miss the people. There is something comforting about a place you’ve known since childhood, isn’t there?”
Simon nodded in agreement. “Sure. Many of the people around here have known me since I was born. Leah, for example.” He grinned. “If you asked her to, she could tell you about the time I got my head caught in the Landises’ fence.” He shook his head. “I was seven and I’m still not sure how it happened. It went through the space just fine. But it wouldn’t come out.”
Lydia Ann laughed.
“Michael and Phillip tried
pulling me out, but I yelled so much, Mr. Landis came out to see. He really had to work to get me free. And, boy, was Mamm upset with me. She sat me down and gave me a lecture about the dangers of goofing off.” He grinned. “But I heard her laughing about it later when she told Dat. So I knew she wasn’t really that mad.”
Lydia Ann’s mouth twisted into a smile. She could imagine how cute Simon must’ve been as a little boy. “I guess people and places that are familiar just can’t be replaced.”
He caught her eye. “But there’s also something exciting about new people and places, don’t you think?”
She felt her face grow hot. “I suppose so.”
His blue eyes bored into hers. “I know so.” He stood. “I guess we’d better get going. Mary and Katie are probably waiting up for you.”
Lydia Ann followed him to the waiting buggy.
He held his hand out and helped her climb inside.
The feel of her hand in his took her breath away. She glanced over at him as they headed toward home.
Home.
Lancaster County felt like home to her now. And the man sitting next to her had a lot to do with that. She’d told Levi once that she would follow him to the ends of the earth. And now, she felt that way again.
Lydia Ann knew that the friendship between her and Simon had grown into something more.
Something real.
Something that felt a whole lot like love.
Caroline sank onto the cushy love seat and watched Michael play with Bandit on the rug.
“I can’t believe how he’s grown,” Michael said. “And he’s so spoiled.” He chuckled as the dog turned over on his back and put his feet up in the air. “He knows just how to ask for a belly rub, doesn’t he?” He rubbed the puppy’s belly and grinned.
Caroline knew she could get used to this, and the thought scared her a little bit. She could see a future with Michael—but she knew how many obstacles stood in their way.
Eventually her true identity would come out, and she didn’t want Michael to have to deal with that. Then there was the little matter of Valerie and the upcoming murder trial. Not to mention the baby that Caroline had to come to a decision about.
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Page 20
