The Hearts of Middlefield Collection

by Kathleen Fuller

  So Elisabeth’s efforts to bring him into her fold of friends were pointless. Someday she’d get the message. He hoped.

  But that wasn’t what bothered him the most. Not even close. What took his thoughts away from his work for the rest of the morning after she left was when he’d touched her cheek. He’d done it out of concern that the burning spark might have flown in her eye. Yet for the briefest of moments he’d felt a spark within him as his gaze met hers. He’d spent the next couple hours trying to ignore his reaction, but judging from the messed up iron rod, he’d failed.

  No one could deny Elisabeth Byler was a pretty woman, something he’d noticed more than once before today. But just because he appreciated her looks didn’t mean he was attracted to her. Even if he was, he wouldn’t let her know. Elisabeth was destined to marry a good Amish man, one who’d never strayed into the devil’s playground, much less wallowed in it like Aaron had.

  So he chalked his reaction up to loneliness. He’d had a steady girlfriend for several months before he’d been arrested, and he’d missed Kacey something fierce while he’d been in jail. But he had to make a choice, and he’d chosen the safety of the Amish community, a decision he didn’t regret. Over time his feelings for Kacey disappeared but not his desire for companionship. But what Amish woman would want an ex-con for a husband?

  Definitely not Elisabeth Byler.

  “Aaron?”

  Spinning around, he looked at Gabe, who had taken off his coat and already hung it up in the back. “Ya?”

  “You all right? You seem in deep thought.”

  “I’m fine. Just thinking about not making another mistake.”

  Gabe nodded and pulled on his leather gloves, preparing for work. As the day progressed, Aaron forced himself not to think about Elisabeth or the past. Yet try as he might, he couldn’t block the loneliness from his mind or his heart.

  “What a wunderbaar day!” Edna pulled back the curtains in the window in the front room of Onkel Zeb’s house. Bright November sunlight streamed inside. “Not a cloud in the sky or a flake of snow on the ground.” She turned around and looked at Anna seated on the couch. “A great day to be outside in the fresh air, even if it is a little chilly.”

  “Better than staying cooped up inside.” Zeb walked inside the room, scratching the side of his belly. He hitched up his trousers. “When’s that Byler bu getting here?”

  “He’ll be here when he gets here.” Edna turned around and faced Zeb. “Don’t be so impatient.”

  “Only if you’ll stop being so bossy.”

  Anna rolled her eyes, happy that she would be leaving for work soon so she wouldn’t have to listen to her mother and uncle’s ceaseless bickering. She left them arguing in the living room and went into the kitchen to pack her lunch. As she washed her hands in the sink, she looked out the window to see Lukas turning in to the driveway.

  A small tickle formed in her belly, as it had lately every time she saw Lukas. Since the singing at his house nearly a month ago, he had been true to his word, and they had developed a natural, enjoyable friendship. He stopped by work at the end of the day a couple times a week to take her home, since she and her mother took turns using the buggy. Today he had taken a day off work to help her uncle fix several broken slats in the barn. How could she not love his selfless generosity?

  She froze. Love. Had that word really popped into her mind? It had, but certainly not in a romantic context. Even though she thought about Lukas a lot when they weren’t together, it didn’t mean she’d changed her mind about their friendship. The fact that her time at work seemed to crawl by on the days he picked her up wasn’t a sign that she felt any different toward him than she always did.

  Picking up the towel by the sink, she dried her hands and kept looking out the window, watching as he parked the buggy and jumped out. His dark blue coat was buttoned up halfway, revealing a light blue shirt underneath. He adjusted his yellow straw hat before reaching in the back of the buggy for his tool belt. Although it had to be heavy, he slung it over his shoulder like it weighed next to nothing.

  She checked the clock on the kitchen wall. If she didn’t leave within the next few minutes, she would be late for work, which meant the store wouldn’t open on time. But when she heard the back door open she didn’t move, knowing he would appear in the kitchen in a few seconds.

  Just as she heard the thud of his shoes on the kitchen floor, a sudden pain stabbed her abdomen. She doubled over from the intensity of it.

  “Anna?”

  She could barely hear Lukas’s voice through the haze of pain.

  “Anna, what’s wrong?”

  A crash sounded in her ears, and Lukas was suddenly at her side. Then just as quickly as it hit, the agony subsided. Slowly she stood up, gazing into Lukas’s worried face.

  “I’m okay.” She gripped the side of the sink and straightened. Only then did she notice how close he was standing to her, and that his hand was on her shoulder. Their eyes met.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Ya.” Then she realized she had another problem besides the way she was reacting to him. She couldn’t tell him the source of her pain. Her monthly problems were something she couldn’t even share with her mother, much less with Lukas. But how could she explain what just happened?

  “You’re not sick, are you?” He didn’t remove his hand from her arm, something she was acutely aware of.

  “Nee.” Then she realized that would be a good enough explanation for him. “Well, maybe a little sick to my stomach.”

  “What on earth was that noise?” Edna came into the kitchen then halted. Her eyebrows flew up at the sight of Anna and Lukas so close together.

  Lukas immediately jumped back. “Sorry, Frau Esh. I dropped my tool belt.” He walked to the back entrance of the kitchen and picked it up. “Anna was telling me she’s not feeling well.”

  “You’re sick?” Edna went to her. “You do look pale. Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I’m okay, really. Just a little nauseated.” She chewed the inside of her lip, waiting to see if her mother believed the fib.

  “Then you should stay home from work. The store will survive being closed one day.”

  “Nee, not on a Saturday.” She turned to her mother. “I’m fine, really. I probably just need something to eat.”

  Edna frowned. “We had breakfast an hour ago. You’re still hungry?”

  Anna looked from her to Lukas, who still looked concerned. It amazed her how one little fib led to so many others. “Ya. I am. But I packed a big lunch, so I’ll be okay.” She rushed past Edna and grabbed her lunch and purse off of the kitchen table. “I’ll be back in time for supper.” She gave Lukas a quick glance, then dashed out the door before her mother asked any more questions.

  Taking a deep breath of crisp November air, the tension started draining out of her. She hated telling lies, even small ones, especially to her mother. But she’d had no alternative. Ignoring her guilt she started to climb into the buggy.

  “Anna, wait.”

  She paused as Lukas strode toward her. A familiar fluttery sensation went through her.

  He came up to her, once again standing close. His hazel eyes met hers. “Let me drive you to work.”

  His kindness only intensified the fluttery feeling. “Nee. I can drive myself. I’m already feeling better.” At least that part was true, as her pain had disappeared.

  “Still, I’d like to take you. I can come by and pick you up after work. I wouldn’t want you to be on the road if you got sick again.”

  “Lukas—”

  “I’m not taking nee for an answer.” He opened the door for her.

  “What about the barn?”

  “It can wait.”

  “Then what about Onkel Zeb? He’s not nearly as patient, you know.”

  “Your mudder said she’d take care of him.”

  “So my mami told you to drive me?”

  He shook his head, then took her lunch bag from her hand. �
�I told her I was driving you.” He held out his hand. “You don’t want to be late.”

  She looked at his hand, then slipped her hand in his. His fingers were rough and scarred from work, but she loved the feel of his palm against hers.

  There was that word again. Love. Although standing next to him, enjoying his nearness and the way his eyes held hers, the thought of loving Lukas didn’t seem as frightening as it used to. Instead it seemed a very real possibility.

  “Anna.” His voice was low and husky, sending a shiver through her body. Then he cleared his throat and released her hand. “I better get you to work.”

  Disappointment wound through her as she climbed in the buggy. They drove to Esh’s Amish Goods in silence, and she wondered what he was thinking. She couldn’t tell by looking at his impassive profile.

  When they reached the store, there were already a couple of cars in the parking lot. She grabbed her lunch and purse and got out of the buggy.

  “I’ll pick you up at five,” he called out to her.

  She nodded, then paused, unable to tear her gaze away from him. “Danki, Lukas.”

  Finally he smiled. “My pleasure.”

  As she rushed to the shop to greet her waiting customers, she snuck another look at Lukas pulling away, knowing she would be counting the minutes until she could see him again.

  Chapter 6

  Elisabeth stood in the corner of the Mullets’ large living room, taking in the blissful expression on her friend Carol’s face as she gazed up at her new husband. Christian Weaver appeared equally happy as he bent down and whispered something in her ear. She laughed, and they both got up from their seats at the wedding table and started to mingle among the guests again.

  A sigh escaped her lips. Christian and Carol were so much in love, everyone could see it. The irony of the marriage wasn’t lost on her either. Carol had been smitten with Elisabeth’s brother Tobias for a long time, and Rachel Detweiler and Christian had actually been engaged at one point. But when Tobias had come to his senses and told Rachel he loved her, she’d broken up with Christian. To his credit, Christian had taken the breakup well, and soon he and Carol had started seeing each other. Now both couples were happy and had remained good friends, with Tobias and Rachel at the wedding along with the rest of the family.

  Elisabeth wondered if she’d ever have that kind of love. She wasn’t in any hurry to get married, and she definitely wasn’t ready to think about children, but she did hope that when she met the right man, he would look at her with the same expression her brother had for his wife, and Christian had for Carol.

  She pulled her gaze away from the couple and scanned the room, sipping a cup of delicious hot apple cider. She’d been relieved from kitchen duty a short while ago and was now waiting to take her turn at one of the dining tables. Until then she was content to hang back and people-watch. Although she enjoyed visiting with all her friends and family, sometimes it was nice to stand back and be an observer.

  Moments later she spied Aaron standing near the staircase, alone as usual. She wasn’t just surprised that he had attended the wedding but that he’d stayed for the gathering afterward. She watched him shift from one foot to the other, tugging at the top of his collarless shirt. Her eyes widened a bit as she took in his crisp white shirt, black pants, and vest. She had seen him in those clothes on Sundays during church, but for some reason he looked especially nice today. He also looked as uncomfortable as a pig in pantyhose.

  She couldn’t let him suffer alone. With a smile she walked over to him. “Hi, Aaron.”

  He barely glanced at her. “Hi.”

  “Watcha doing? Hiding out?”

  His blond brows furrowed. “Nee.”

  “Sure looks like it to me. You’re over here on your own while everyone else is out there visiting.” She gestured to the packed room where people were standing around talking or sitting at a few tables eating. “Or are you trying to be incognito?”

  “Neither. What I’m trying to do is enjoy the fellowship.”

  “You have a funny way of showing it. To enjoy fellowship you usually have to engage someone in conversation. Which you aren’t doing.”

  “I am now.”

  “Because I walked over here.”

  “Uninvited, by the way.”

  “If I waited for you to invite me, I’d be old and gray.” She moved closer to him until their shoulders were nearly touching. “Why are you so mysterious, Mr. Detweiler?”

  “Why are you so nosy, Ms. Byler?”

  “I prefer inquisitive.”

  “You’re definitely that.”

  “And as an inquisitive person, I’m filled with questions. Like why you’re here in the first place.”

  “The Weavers are family friends. Of course I’d be at Christian’s wedding.”

  “I don’t mean the wedding part.” She lifted up her mug of cider and took a sip. “I’m talking about this. Usually you tuck tail and run whenever more than three people are in one place.”

  He gave her a surprised look, as if he couldn’t believe what she said. She couldn’t believe she said it either. Memories of her school teacher threatening to tape her mouth shut suddenly came to mind. Perhaps now would be a good time to do just that. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t nice.”

  He shrugged. “Whatever.”

  Frustration started to rise inside her. “That’s part of your problem, Aaron. You don’t seem to care about anything. Wait, I should say anyone. You definitely care about your job.”

  “Thanks for at least giving me that.” He faced her. “If you’re done pointing out my faults, I’ll be tucking my tail now and leaving.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he stalked away and headed for the front door.

  Oh boy, she really screwed that up. Elisabeth set her mug down on one of the stairs and followed him outside. The chilly winter air seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, but that didn’t matter. Her comments had been out of line. What had gotten into her?

  She saw him climbing into his buggy and ran over to it. He had just picked up the reins when she reached him. Grabbing the door, she thrust it open and climbed in.

  His eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

  “Stopping you from leaving.” She crossed her arms over her chest and hugged her body, trying to keep warm.

  “Why would you do that?”

  “So I can apologize. I’m truly sorry, Aaron. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain.”

  “Really? Hadn’t noticed.”

  His droll response almost made her smile. “I definitely don’t believe that.” Her body started to shake a bit from the cold, but she didn’t move to leave. She wouldn’t until she knew he forgave her.

  “You shouldn’t be out here,” he said, glancing at her dress. “Not without a coat.”

  “Neither should you.”

  “I forgot it inside.”

  “Then you’ll just have to go back and get it. And while you’re there, eat some food, and go back to enjoying yourself before I ruined everything.”

  Aaron released the reins. “You didn’t ruin everything.” He paused, looking down at his feet. “I wasn’t having that great of a time anyway.”

  “Then we need to fix that.” She reached out and grabbed his hand.

  Aaron looked down at the delicate hand inside his. One thing he could say about Elisabeth Byler, she was definitely full of surprises.

  “Let’s go inside before we both freeze,” she said, tugging on his hand. Then she released it and exited the buggy, clearly assuming he would follow her.

  Which he did. He’d been stupid to bolt out of the house without getting his coat. But he’d been even more of an idiot to let her words get to him. She apologized for being mean, but she hadn’t been mean at all. She’d been honest, and that hurt more than any callous words could.

  She’d already dashed inside the Mullets’ house by the time he reached the front steps. He welcomed the warmth that greeted him as he stepped inside. He hadn’t been
to a wedding since his sister Rachel’s, and he’d spent most of that day plastered against the wall, too, observing everyone else having a good time. He’d been happy for his sister, but he still felt like an outcast among his own people.

  Time hadn’t changed those feelings too much. No one brought up his past anymore, but it hung over him like a thundercloud. Every once in a while he thought he caught a few people looking at him suspiciously, as if they were expecting him to slip back into his old ways and start dealing drugs again. Which proved not everyone had forgiven him. Sometimes he wondered if even God had. He’d spent the past two years trying to come to terms with the fact that he would probably spend a lifetime earning back the trust he’d broken.

  “There are two empty seats at one of the tables.”

  He hadn’t even noticed Elisabeth coming up beside him. “What?”

  “We’d better go sit down or we’ll never get anything to eat.” She tugged at his shirtsleeve, and he had no choice but to follow her.

  They both sat down at a table of four, the other two seats occupied by the bride’s grandparents who had nearly finished eating. The man looked up at Aaron and frowned. His eyes narrowed until his thick gray brows pushed together into one bushy line.

  Aaron shifted in his seat. “I’m not all that hungry, Elisabeth.” He moved to get up, but she put her hand on his arm, pinning him in his seat.

  “You’re not going anywhere until you have a slice of my mami’s pot roast. It’s the best in Middlefield, isn’t it Herr Mullet?”

  The man nodded, still squinting at Aaron. Bits of bread were stuck in his long gray beard.

  “Elisabeth, I think your mudder has topped herself this time.” The short, plump woman sitting next to Mr. Mullet smiled at them both. “I don’t know how she gets the meat so tender.”

  “Me either. I wish I had half of her cooking talent.”

  “I’m sure you’re a fine cook.”

  “Who are you?” Mullet punched his fork in the air in Aaron’s direction.

  “Zachariah, please.” Looking horrified, Mrs. Mullet put her hand on her husband’s forearm and guided his fork back to his plate. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. “That’s Aaron Detweiler.”