by Sherry Kyle
So she’s the one who spilled the beans to Elena. Jonas buttoned his flannel shirt. “Now, you mind your own business. My job is to keep this place running and take care of Ma and you girls. I’m not getting married for a long time so don’t spread rumors.”
Pink flushed Sabrina’s cheeks. “Gabi says she can take care of herself. But I know she plans to run away with Peder.”
“Peder Cavegn?”
“Yep, that’s him.” Sabrina straightened the quilt on the bed.
He remembered the scrawny kid. His pa owned the farm on the other side of the spring from the Seifert property. The two families kept their distance. Jonas never had a good impression of the boy’s father, but Peder seemed to be all right.
Jonas would have to keep his eye on Gabi. At twenty years of age, she’d grown into a beautiful woman, and Peder was sure to have noticed. “We’d better hurry and eat the biscuits while they’re warm.” He allowed Sabrina to walk first through the entryway into the kitchen, but Elena was nowhere to be seen.
His ma, on the other hand, sat in the rocking chair holding Pa’s pipe. She wore a black mourning dress with a shawl draped around her shoulders as she rocked back and forth, tears cascading down her cheeks. How would she get through the next days? Weeks? Months?
A basket sat on the table along with a note from Elena inviting his family to lunch. He unwrapped the cloth. The smell of yeasty dough filled the air. His mouth watered. “Ma, have you eaten?”
Sabrina set the butter and boysenberry preserves on the table. She looked at her ma. “Here, try one.” Sabrina placed a dab of butter and jam on a biscuit and set it in her mother’s hand. “Elena is a good cook. Samuel told me so. But she’s not as good as you.”
His mother didn’t move. Would she eat today?
The weight of his pa’s absence dug a hole in Jonas’s heart. He couldn’t fathom stepping into his father’s shoes, but now he didn’t have a choice.
Gabi sauntered into the room. She wore her blue Sunday dress, her hair neatly pinned—a striking contrast to his grief-stricken mother.
“Thank goodness for neighbors.” She snatched a biscuit from the basket, smothered it with preserves, and downed a bite.
Sabrina made a face. “You’re not eating like a lady.”
“What do you know?” Gabi finished off the first and grabbed another.
“Ma says if you want to keep a thin figure, you must eat slow. Right, Ma?” Sabrina made a show of taking a delicate bite.
Ma ignored Sabrina’s question.
Jonas wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Sabrina, I want you to help me today. After you finish eating, come find me in the barn.”
“You going to church?” Gabi wrapped the cloth around the remaining biscuits.
Watching over his mother and sisters was going to be difficult. They each grieved in their own way, except for Gabi. She didn’t seem to be grieving at all. Jonas placed his hat on his head and slid into his work boots. “Go ahead. But don’t count on me to escort you. I’ve got work to do.” He opened the door.
Gabi followed after him. “Dana and her family offered to give me a ride.”
“Dana Cavegn? Peder’s sister?”
“Yes,” Gabi said. “She’s nice and one of my best friends.”
By the way Gabi was acting, she was definitely hiding something from him. Was she interested in Peder? Jonas might learn a thing or two by hanging out with Sabrina today.
“Have Dana’s family drop you by the Seifert place for lunch. I’ll see you at noon.” He closed the door harder than he intended.
The responsibility of taking care of his family was like a yoke thrown across his back. I don’t know if I can do this, Pa. How did his father think he could take on another woman and her child? Someone who didn’t understand farm life?
Jonas marched to the barn. The problem with milking cows was it gave a man too much time to think. He’d done plenty of that since he’d returned. Hurry up, Sabrina. His younger sister would provide a much needed distraction.
He swung the barn door open and jumped when he spotted a familiar form. “What are you doing here?” The words shot like bullets from Jonas’s mouth.
The small schoolhouse sat at the far side of Harmony Creek. Today, being Sunday, the desks were pushed off to the side and chairs were set up for the church meeting. Elena sat between Samuel and Lars. The two had ridden up in Lars’s carriage moments before.
“Wouldn’t want to miss the church service.” Lars winked.
Elena’s heart fluttered. By the confidence in Lars’s eyes and the way he took control as he guided her to her seat, he was expecting a positive answer to his proposal. And she’d give him exactly that when the two of them had a moment alone.
Her mama sat on the bench behind the piano. As she played “He Leadeth Me,” the congregation stood and joined in the chorus.
As Elena sang, she tried to envision Jonas marrying Yvette, a woman from town. It wasn’t any different than Elena marrying a shopkeeper. Laughter bubbled in her throat. The answer was simple. Lars should marry Yvette. Fact was he could have chosen Yvette months ago, but instead he selected her. Elena should feel honored that a man of high standing would choose her as his bride.
Pastor Nef motioned for his flock to take their seats. “Open your Bibles to 1 Peter 3: 8.” The pastor read, “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”
Elena caught a bit of the sermon, how God wanted His children to love each other, but other than that, she found herself daydreaming.
Where was Jonas? Busy with chores, she supposed. Would he come to dinner? In a way Elena didn’t want him to. It would be difficult enough accepting Lars’s proposal in front of Brigitte and the girls without him there.
A light snoring sound captured Elena’s attention. Samuel’s breathing deepened as his head bobbed backward. Elena nudged her brother in the ribs. His eyes shot open, and he sat up straight.
“Let me conclude by reading a few verses from Matthew 22.” The pastor held his Bible in both hands. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Please bow your heads with me as we pray.”
After the prayer, the congregation stood for the last song. Mama played “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” with such gusto that the sound of the piano drowned the voices of the small group inside the church. This song was one of her mother’s favorites. Elena grinned.
Samuel sang, his voice off-key, and Elena joined in.
When the song ended, the pastor raised his hands in a benediction and dismissed the few families that made up the congregation.
“Excuse me.” Elena’s mother rose before anyone had a chance to leave, her voice echoing in the small church. “Everyone is invited to our place. We have something to celebrate.”
Elena’s eyes widened at her mother’s loud outburst. Was she going to announce her engagement? Her knees grew weak.
“Mr. Salmina has graciously bought the venison for today’s occasion. Please bring whatever you had planned for today’s meal and join us at noon.”
Lars winked at Elena as though she’d orchestrated this event. In fact, she had no idea why their neighbor would donate venison for the meal. Obviously, Mama had been doing some planning. They’d discussed the meal a few days ago, and Elena had extended an invitation to Jonas and his family this morning. But to invite everyone in the valley? This gathering would be larger than she’d anticipated. Her hands grew moist.
Hushed voices droned in the background as people dispersed. Elena heard Gabi talking with Dana. “I’d better go home and check on my mother. Jonas will escort me to the luncheon—”
Samuel brought her attention back to the two men beside her. “I’ll walk home so you can ride in the carriage with Lars.”
“How thoughtful of you.” B
y Lars’s tone, they’d rehearsed this speech.
Elena drew in a ragged breath and attempted a smile. “There’s room for three in Lars’s carriage. You wouldn’t want to be late for venison, would you?” Her eyes pleaded. She wasn’t ready to be alone with Lars. Not yet.
Samuel licked his lips. “You don’t mind?”
One thing Elena could count on was Samuel’s love for food.
Lars cleared his throat. “I bet your father would like help checking on the cattle, especially your new little one.”
“If Samuel rides with us, we can look in on Buttercup and be on time for the meal,” Elena countered.
Samuel’s forehead creased. His eyes darted between her and the shopkeeper.
Mama approached and cupped Samuel’s arm. “Samuel, why don’t you ride home with Papa and me?”
Samuel’s shoulders sagged. “Thank you, Mama.”
“Take your time, you two. There’s no rush.” Mama smiled. “It’s such a lovely day for a carriage ride.”
Ready or not, Elena would sit with Lars in his carriage—alone. Her stomach flipped. “We’ll be home in plenty of time before lunch.”
A wide smile appeared on Lars’s face. “That settles it then. Shall we go? There’s something I want to discuss with you on the way.” He tipped his hat and led Elena toward the schoolhouse door.
Elena swallowed hard. Her legs were as heavy as logs as she headed out of the building.
Lars guided her to the carriage with meandering steps, his free hand on top of hers in the crook of his arm. “I’ve wanted time alone with you, but every time we’re together of late, something or someone interrupts.” He helped her into the carriage, and then climbed up next to her, their thighs touching.
Elena stiffened. When Jonas took her home in Pa’s wagon, she had welcomed the brief connection. What was wrong with her now? Pre-wedding jitters?
“Do you have enough space, my dear?” Lars shifted in the seat so that their bodies were no longer touching.
Ever the gentleman.
“Yes, thank you.” Elena straightened her skirt and placed her hands in her lap.
Lars flicked the reins, and the carriage moved forward. Not a minute went by before Lars spoke his mind. “I wanted to discuss something important before asking your parents.”
Questions zoomed through Elena’s mind. Did he want to discuss the wedding details? Her papa couldn’t provide the type of wedding Lars could afford. Images of soft chiffon, crepe and satin swirled in her head. She imagined a big wedding in Cayucos with all the townsfolk welcoming the new shopkeeper’s wife. “Go on.”
“I hope you don’t think this presumptuous of me.” Lars held tight to both reins, the horse trotting along at a comfortable speed.
Her insides shook. “Lars, please tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Would your parents consider allowing Samuel to move into my home once we’re married? He’s a fine worker on small but necessary tasks. He’d be of great help at the store.”
Visions of a lavish wedding disappeared. Lars wasn’t thinking of her, but of a hired hand.
Lars continued. “You know as well as I do that Samuel won’t be able to continue your pa’s business, and run a dairy farm. And I figure your brother would enjoy living with his only sibling once we’re married. I know he requires extra care, but between the two of us we could manage.”
Growing up with Herbert, Lars understood Samuel’s needs and apparently relished the thought of providing for him, like his parents had done for his cousin.
Truth was, her parents had talked more than once about Samuel’s future. They, along with Lars, agreed her simple-minded brother was more suited for a life with less responsibility. Elena believed it too. “I never want to live apart from my brother.”
“I’m pleased to hear you say that, my dear. Then it’s settled. I’ll talk with your father today.” Lars moved his mouth in such a way that his mustache twitched back and forth. “After you give me your answer, of course.”
Did he expect it now? The words stuck in Elena’s throat. Butterflies flitted in her stomach.
A figure was hunched over in the field. Elena recognized the woman’s blue dress. Gabrielle. “Lars, stop!”
He pulled back on the reins.
“Please, help me out of the carriage.”
After a moment, Lars jumped down from the driver’s side, grabbed Elena around the waist, and hoisted her down, his movements quick. He stayed by the carriage as she hurried toward Gabrielle.
Upon seeing Elena approach, Gabi swiped at her eyes. She stood and wrapped her arms around her waist.
Elena reached for a handkerchief from her small reticule and handed it to Gabrielle. “What are you doing here?”
“Dana and her family planned to take me home, but I asked them if I could walk the rest of the way.”
Elena wouldn’t press the girl for more details. Her pa had passed on to glory. “You shouldn’t be here on your own.”
Gabi blew her nose. “It’s not far. I’ll go straight home.”
“Lars and I will take you—”
“But you’re expecting company.”
“And I’m hoping you’re among them.” Elena gave Gabi’s shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll have plenty of food, and you need to eat. Come now, get into the carriage.”
“Lars won’t mind?”
Elena glanced his way. Their conversation flashed across her mind. Every time we’re together of late, something or someone interrupts. Well, too bad. Lars would have to put his feelings aside. People who lived in the country took care of one another.
“He’ll be fine.” Elena steered Gabi toward the carriage. “Your safety is more important.”
“Thank you. You’ve always been such a good friend to our family.”
Elena put an arm around Gabi’s shuddering shoulders and guided her toward the carriage.
“Lars, can we please take Gabrielle home? Jonas will be sick with worry.”
His brows drew together, but a moment later the disgruntled look disappeared and he graciously helped both women into the carriage. Elena settled into the seat between Gabi and Lars.
“Jonas expects me to go straight to the luncheon.” Gabi hiccupped. “But I’d rather see how my ma’s faring.”
He flicked the reins. “Point the way.”
Once again, Elena’s answer to his proposal would have to wait.
Chapter Ten
“I’m not here to cause trouble.”
Jonas eyed the man suspiciously. The wound above his right eye was still covered from when Doc sewed him up the other night. “How did you find my farm?” Jonas grabbed the pitchfork used to muck out the stalls.
“The lady at the boardinghouse gave me directions.”
Jonas would need to speak with Yvette. She shouldn’t give his whereabouts to men who frequent saloons. Jonas didn’t trust the man, but Yvette must have seen some good in him.
He stuck out his hand. “My name is Nicolas.”
No last name?
“Jonas.” He set the pitchfork against the closest stall and reached out to shake the man’s hand. “You were quite inebriated the other night—”
“Took a right hook to my eye.” Nicolas tugged his hat down to hide his wound. “Not proud of getting kicked out of a saloon.”
Jonas crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s the other man to you?”
“Never seen him before in my life. He thought I was someone else. Simple mistake.”
Likely story. Jonas rubbed the back of his neck. “And why are you here?” He crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes, hoping the man would get his meaning.
“Heard you talk with the doc about your pa. Thought you might need help.”
“An extra hand would be nice, but I can’t pay—”
“Looks to me I owe you.” Nicolas hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. “I want to work off the doctor’s bill and the night at the boardinghouse. I’m not a charity case.”
Jonas’s opinion of Nicolas was slowly changing. The man seemed to be an honest sort. Still, what was he doing in a seedy establishment? “I’ve got one question. Do you frequent saloons? Because if you work for me, I need to trust that your word is good. I don’t take kindly to broken promises.”
Since when did he get so serious? Must be the night his pa died. Thoughts of Yvette and her baby drifted across his mind. Would he be able to keep the promise he made to his father?
“Came off the steamer ship the other night,” Nicolas said. “Was mighty thirsty. But I’ve regretted it ever since I got this gash on my head. No need to be concerned. I won’t be visiting the saloon any time soon.”
“Let’s see how you work.” Jonas grabbed the five-pronged pitchfork and handed it to Nicolas. “I need all the stalls mucked out and replaced with new bedding.” Jonas gestured toward the barn door. “I’ll show you where I keep the wheelbarrow. Don’t fill it too full—it’s hard to push and likely to tip over. There’s nothing worse than having to pick up manure a second time.”
Nicolas chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“Prove your worth, and I’ll consider letting you work for a time.”
Had cleaning out the stalls been Gabi’s job while Jonas was away? No wonder she’d given him dirty looks.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how’s your pa?” Nicolas’s voice softened. “Heard you tell the doc he wasn’t doing well.”
“He went to heaven.” His gut tightened. He would never get used to the idea of not having his father around. Life on the farm didn’t seem right.
“Sorry to hear that.” Nicolas averted his eyes.
“Thank you.” Jonas planted his hands on his hips and glanced around the barn. “Ready to work?”
“Yes, I am.” Nicolas strode toward the first stall and jabbed the pitchfork into the soiled bedding.
Jonas went outside to look for the wheelbarrow.
He heard Sabrina’s sweet voice calling from the other side of the barn. “Jonas, where are you? I’m ready to help you now.”
He circled the barn on tiptoe. Coming up behind her, he grabbed her waist and twirled her around. “I’m going to have two helpers today.”
