The Protector

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “So will you come over?”

  His enthusiasm was contagious and disconcerting! The last thing in the world she wanted to do was once again become emotionally involved with her property again.

  To do so would be to take a giant step backward, and that wasn’t what she was about. She was now stepping forward and looking toward her future.

  “Loyal, it’s no longer my house,” she pointed out, trying to sound upbeat—or at least all right with the idea. “The farm and the house are yours.”

  “It’s only been mine for a few days.”

  “But it still is yours. And, while you’re very kind to offer to let me see it, you mustn’t feel guilty.”

  “I don’t,” he said quickly, his blue eyes flashing.

  “No?”

  As his eyes skimmed her face, he shook his head in frustration. “I’m handling this all wrong, aren’t I?”

  “There is no one way—”

  “Listen, I’m not offering the invitation out of guilt.”

  What other reason could there be? “Then why?”

  “I’m offering because I know you loved the place, too. I . . . I mean, I thought you did.”

  “I did,” she said quickly. Speaking the truth. “I lived there my whole life, of course.”

  “Then I’m sure you have some feelings about improvements you’d like to see. Don’t you? These are big changes I’m proposing, but exciting ones. I simply want someone else to share that with me. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing, of course.” But even as she answered, Ella knew she was fooling herself. The fact was, being back at the farm wasn’t going to be all that difficult. When her mother had been dying, and Ella had felt so very isolated, she’d looked forward to the day when she’d get to walk away from the acres that had held her in one place.

  What was really causing her to hesitate was the idea of being with Loyal. She liked him. She liked being with him. He, of course, thought of her as nothing more than a sweet, somewhat mousy neighbor.

  But she’d always been drawn to him . . . which, of course, meant that there was never going to be anything between them. How could there be?

  So, did she really want to spend so much time with him? Was it even wise?

  As if she hadn’t been standing there, weighing the pros and cons between them for far too long, Loyal prodded. “And so, will you? I’ll pick you up at the library and take you over. It will be no trouble.”

  Oh, it would be no trouble at all. That is, except for her heart.

  But wasn’t this what she’d been dreaming about? The opportunity to do new things? To push herself? “All right. It is so kind of you.”

  Pure happiness shone in his eyes. “I am so glad, Ella. Thank you. What time do you get off today?”

  “Six o’clock.”

  “I’ll be there then. And I’ll have something for dinner, too.”

  “I’d hate to cause you any trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble. I’m just going to go to the market and get a chicken dinner that’s already prepared. If that sounds to your liking?”

  “It does. I like the market’s chicken just fine.” She walked him to the door and smiled at him. “Thank you again.”

  “I’ll see you in a few hours,” he promised before putting his hat back on and walking down the short flight of stairs to his buggy.

  And though she surely looked foolish, Ella stood on her front stoop and waved goodbye to him as he drove off. A silly, hopeful smile on her face.

  “Hey, Graham, what do you know about Mary Zehr?” John asked as they walked to the barn on Friday afternoon. Like usual.

  His sister-in-law now had him over one night a week for dinner. John enjoyed the company and the home-cooked meal.

  The boys teased John, saying the only reason he was invited over so much was because Katie adored him. He replied that he thought the only reason he was invited was because he gave so much attention to Katie. When she was around her Uncle John, she gave everyone else a break.

  Today, he’d volunteered to walk with Graham to the barn to watch Katie do her chores, which involved feeding and playing with their three rabbits.

  As Graham lazily leaned up against the barn’s rough wall, chewing on the end of a piece of straw, John stood beside him and grinned. Katie was currently whispering to the rabbits, as though their long ears could hold all her secrets.

  “Not much to say about Mary,” Graham said after a moment. “She’s got a boy named Abel. He’s twelve or so.”

  “I’ve met Abel. He seems to be a good boy. Mary’s told me that he helps out at home and works part-time at the hardware store.”

  Graham nodded. “He is a mighty hard worker. I feel for him, with the way it’s just him and his mamm.” With a sideways look at John, he said, “When Daed passed on three years ago, it was terribly hard. But at least I was older and had Calvin and Loyal to lean on. Abel is all alone, though.”

  “Do you think Mary has enough help around her place? A boy can’t do everything . . .”

  “I haven’t heard that she’s in need.” Graham narrowed his eyes. “Why all the questions?”

  “I don’t know. She’s a nice woman.” Okay. Now his collar was starting to feel tight. “Katie, don’t forget the rabbits’ water.”

  “It’s filled.” She twisted her lips. “Kind of.”

  “That ain’t good enough. Rinse it out and give them fresh.”

  “But—”

  “Have a care, Katie,” Graham said. “These animals are your responsibility. They are counting on you.”

  “All right.” With a look over her shoulder, she unhooked the water and went to the spigot outside.

  John chuckled. “Now I understand why you are standing here with her.”

  “It’s necessary,” Graham said with a smile. “But, about Mary, John . . . she’s a nice woman. But I thought you were seeing the librarian.”

  “I am.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, I’m seeing her some. It’s nothing serious.” John fought to keep his voice light and offhand. “I was just curious about Mary, that’s all. She’s awfully young to be widowed. And she has a lot of responsibility.”

  “She’s not that young. She’s Calvin’s age.”

  Now John felt ancient. “I stand corrected.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No, it’s not your fault I’m touchy about my age. So . . . do you think she had a good marriage? Was her husband a good man?”

  “I think so. They were happy.” He smiled. “All I really remember about the two of them was when Mary was pregnant. My parents loved to tease William. He would follow Mary everywhere and fuss over her. He was besotted, you know?”

  John didn’t. He’d never been lucky enough to have a child, but he had the idea that he would be the same way. Aching to protect the woman and baby he loved.

  “Uncle John, you’re not interested in her, are you?”

  He didn’t know how he felt. A part of him yearned for Jayne and all the things she represented to him. She was the future he’d always wanted—the woman he’d hoped Angela could be but never was. But Mary, she was the one he found himself thinking about when he was by himself, or when he went to sleep at night. “I might be.”

  Graham looked at him thoughtfully before watching Katie return with fresh water for the rabbits. “I’ve always gotten the sense that Mary wasn’t the type of woman to take lightly,” he finally said.

  “I don’t intend to.” John was saved from having to explain himself when little Katie called out to him.

  “Uncle John! Come look at the bunnies! They’re hopping all over each other.”

  “Uh-oh,” Graham said. “I’ll leave you to that.”

  Just imagining what was happening, and the explanation he would have to provide to his tiny niece, made him panic. “Graha
m, you can’t leave! Come here and help me.”

  “No way, Onkle. There’s a reason we like having you over here so much,” he said with a grin. “You give us all a much needed break. See you at supper.”

  “But—”

  Graham waved over his shoulder as he walked away.

  “Uncle John, hurry!”

  After stepping closer, his suspicion about what the rabbits were doing was confirmed. “Katie Weaver, you come here and give those rabbits some privacy.”

  “But—”

  Nope. No way was he having this conversation. He was the uncle. The fun guy. Directing her toward the barn, he said, “I heard there’s baby chicks. Come show me, sweetheart.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “I love you, Uncle John.”

  With a sudden start, John realized that all the confusion he’d been feeling about Jayne and Mary was finally diminishing. Now it seemed that only Mary occupied his thoughts. However, at least he knew where he stood with one special girl in his life.

  She was under four feet, as pretty as a picture, and his little buddy.

  Chapter 11

  Looking out the plate-glass window, Ella once again hoped for a glimpse of Loyal in his buggy. But still, there was no sign of him. She began to get worried. Where could he be?

  Doubts settled in. Perhaps Loyal had decided not to come pick her up after all?

  Ella craned her neck, looking left again. When yet again she saw no buggy, she felt her stomach knot.

  Resolutely, she forced herself to turn around and take a few calming breaths.

  Oh, but the nerves were threatening to get the best of her! If the butterflies in her stomach didn’t calm down soon, Ella feared she’d be standing all night with her arms wrapped protectively around her middle.

  As she was doing now, she realized with a bit of surprise.

  Well, this wouldn’t do. With effort, she straightened her arms. She needed to get a firm hold of herself, to calm down. It was silly to be so excited. And so nervous!

  Of course Loyal wasn’t going to forget to come get her.

  Of course he wasn’t going to change his mind.

  “Ella, look at you!” Dorothy proclaimed as she approached the front of the library. “You are certainly ready to leave right on time today.”

  “Jah. I am going—”

  “I’m ready, too,” Dorothy interrupted. “And guess what? This morning, I thawed out two chicken breasts for supper.” As she moved her purse to her other hand, she added, “Why don’t you come over as soon as we get home? I’ll put the chicken in the oven while you heat up the vegetables.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t have dinner with you tonight.”

  Dorothy froze. “Whyever not? Are you grank?”

  “Of course I’m not sick.” Ella smiled slightly before once again looking out the window. Where was he?

  Dorothy’s cough claimed her attention once again. “Well then, what are you doing?”

  Ella winced. Dorothy’s question was loud enough that it had attracted the attention of Ms. Donovan.

  And, though she would have preferred to keep her visit with Loyal to herself for just a little bit more, Ella knew there was no sense in trying to hide it. Especially since she’d been standing expectantly at the front windows for the last ten minutes.

  “I’m spending some time with Loyal Weaver this evening.”

  Dorothy’s eyebrows rose.

  “Loyal is coming here to pick me up,” Ella added, crossing her arms over her stomach again.

  While Dorothy seemed to be frozen in shock, Ms. Donovan beamed as she came closer. “Is he courting you, Ella? That’s exciting news.”

  “It’s surprising,” Dorothy muttered.

  Ella could practically feel confusion radiating off of Dorothy. Eager to put some space between them, she stepped a bit away from her friend. Then she turned to their boss. “We’re not courtin’. It’s nothing like that. Loyal and I have been crossing paths lately. When he told me he was redoing the floors, I told him that I thought that was a fine idea.” She shrugged. “He offered to show me what the farm looks like this afternoon.”

  “That sounds very kind of him.” Lowering her voice, Jayne confided, “Lately, I’ve gotten to spend some time with his uncle. John says Loyal is an open and giving person. He says that’s a gift Loyal has.”

  Dorothy frowned. “I don’t think he sounds kind at all. In fact, his attention to Ella seems worrisome.”

  Jayne’s eyebrows popped up. “Dorothy, why would you say something like that?”

  “Because his motives are surely selfish, of course.” Her voice turning louder and more assured, Dorothy added, “I’m sure Loyal Weaver is only showing Ella the farm to make her feel bad.” She waved a hand. “After all, what other reason could there be?”

  “Because he wants to spend some time with her,” her boss countered.

  Ella’s nervous butterflies had turned into stinging wasps. She hated people discussing her outing in such an open way, as if she wasn’t even there! “Loyal is being kind, that’s all. We are not courtin’. He’s offered to show me the improvements he’s been doing on the farm, and I accepted that offer. That is all.”

  Dorothy crossed her arms over her chest. “If that is all, then I had best make you something to eat for when you get home.”

  “That’s kind of you, but please don’t.”

  “Are you sure? You have to eat—”

  “He’s bringing dinner,” Ella added reluctantly. Now that Dorothy was proving to once again be so controlling, Ella was reluctant to tell her anything more about her plans. “Loyal and I are going to eat there.”

  Jayne beamed. “It sounds like you’re going to have a nice time. Oh, and there he is,” she said, pointing to the window.

  With a start, Ella glanced toward the street. Indeed, after all this waiting, he’d driven up, and she hadn’t even been aware.

  Jayne walked to the front door and held it open. “You better get going, Ella. You don’t want to keep him waiting.”

  Dorothy crossed her arms in front of her. “Yes, we wouldn’t want Loyal Weaver to have to wait or be inconvenienced.”

  Apprehension coursed through her. Something was definitely not right about Dorothy’s behavior.

  Though it would be uncomfortable, Ella knew it was time to question her friend about her expectations. Never had Ella imagined that she’d be watched and judged like she was.

  Unwilling to keep Loyal waiting a moment longer, Ella ignored the heated glare Dorothy was sending her and hurried out the door into the bright, sunny day.

  Immediately, the tension in her shoulders lessened with each step toward Loyal’s buggy.

  He stepped out and walked around to her side. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants with suspenders.

  But none of those things could hold a candle to the glow in his eyes. They sparkled with happiness. Warming her insides, sending all the nerves and misgivings away.

  “Good afternoon, Ella,” he said with a slight nod.

  “Good afternoon to you. Thank you for picking me up. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble?”

  One strong hand grasped her elbow as she stepped into the buggy. “This was no trouble at all,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

  Ella swallowed hard as he walked around to his side and hopped in beside her.

  As he pulled off his hat and pushed back his hair, he started telling her about his day—and Ella smiled brightly at him. The fact was, she liked Loyal. She liked him a lot. And even if they could be no more than just friends, for now it would be enough.

  She was bound and determined to finally live her life. After twenty-four years of waiting, the time had come.

  Chapter 12

  This was probably a bad idea, Loyal
thought as he motioned for Beauty to move forward. He’d been excited to share the improvements he’d been making to her old house; had thought that there was surely no one else who would appreciate the changes so well.

  But now that she sat next to him, he began to doubt his idea. Perhaps taking Ella to her former home was a bit like rubbing salt into a wound?

  When he glanced behind him, he noticed two women standing in front of one of the large windows at the front of the library. One wore a benevolent smile while the taller woman’s glare was stern enough to freeze the hardiest of constitutions. “I guess your leaving with me didn’t escape anyone’s notice?”

  After turning her head to the library again, Ella looked back his way and frowned. “I’m afraid not. That’s Ms. Donovan and Dorothy.”

  Though he knew the taller woman was Dorothy Zook, he’d never had much of a willingness to talk to her. She was older but, more than that, had a reputation for being especially dour.

  “Ms. Donovan is the librarian, right?” Vaguely he recalled his uncle mentioning her.

  “Jah. She’s rather new to Jacob’s Crossing. She’s mighty kind.”

  Ella’s lips were set in a fine line. Actually, Loyal realized that with each block they passed, she seemed more and more perturbed. Finally he decided to be as direct as possible. “Ella, are you having doubts about visiting the farm tonight? I hadn’t thought about it, but now I’m guessing it might be uncomfortable, stopping by a place that has so many memories. I would be happy to take you home if you are.”

  Panic lit her eyes. “I’m not having doubts.”

  “All right, then,” he said as he pulled the reins and worked the buggy’s break as they approached a red light. When they were stopped, he glanced her way again. Just to notice that she’d already been looking at him.

  Ella’s cheeks pinkened.

  And Loyal’s spirits rose. Hmm . . . Perhaps it wasn’t worries about her house that was occupying her thoughts.

  Little by little, as the tiny town square faded from view, Ella seemed to relax. Soon the few cars they shared the road with passed them, and the quiet stillness of the country evening embraced them.