by Beth Wiseman
“We’ve known that youngster, who is a grown man, for only a few days.” Esther stopped buttering her biscuit and looked at Lizzie. “It concerns me that he’s spending time with Evelyn.”
“You worry too much.”
Esther didn’t have the energy to argue with Lizzie.
They were both quiet for a while, and the dining room remained hushed.
After the group had retreated upstairs, Esther and Lizzie began to clear the table. “Let’s save a plate for the boy.” Lizzie gathered bacon, biscuits, eggs, and fruit, piling an ample amount on a plate for Jayce.
Once the dishes were piled on the counter, Lizzie began to run warm water in the sink. “What was all that about yesterday? When I was showing Jayce how to handle Poppy and the buggy, I saw Gus talking to Mr. Clarkson. It looked like they were pretty friendly.” Lizzie cocked her head to one side, scowling. “And we both know Gus isn’t friendly to anyone.”
Esther grinned. “I suppose we should give Mr. Clarkson his due credit.”
“What does that mean?” Lizzie lowered a stack of plates into the soapy water.
“He offered Gus a role in his movie.” Esther chuckled.
Lizzie turned to face her, water dripping from her hands above the sink. “What in the world for? What kind of movie person would want Gus in their film?”
“I don’t know, but Gus is quite proud of the fact, flaunting it actually. And I bet it was Mr. Clarkson’s way of keeping the peace with him, instead of hearing constant complaints about how loud the generators are.” She winked at her sister. “Smart man, I’d say. Although Gus strutted around like a movie star, so I’m not sure which will be worse—grumpy Gus or Gus the movie star.”
“Ach, I know we’re not supposed to see movies, but I’m going undercover to see any movie Gus is in. I’d have to see it to believe it.” Lizzie flinched, shaking her head as if scrambling her brains. “Ick. Gus in a movie.”
Esther laughed. “I can’t picture it either.”
They’d almost finished the dishes when Esther asked, “How concerned do you think we should be about Jayce spending time with Evelyn? Since he’s been in jail.”
“You don’t think he murdered anyone, do you?’ Lizzie gasped. “Or maybe he robbed a bank?”
Esther groaned. “Lizzie, of course he didn’t do anything like that. He’d still be in jail.”
“Someone slipped me a file in a cake, and I escaped.”
Lizzie and Esther jumped and spun around to see Jayce standing in the kitchen, grinning at them.
“I guess I missed breakfast.” His eyes searched the room and landed on the plate on the counter. “Unless that’s for me?”
“Ya, ya.” Esther shuffled to the counter, picked up the plate, and set it on the table. “We saved you some.”
“Are you sure I’m worthy? I mean . . . I’m a criminal.”
Esther and Lizzie stood staring as Jayce lowered his head in prayer. A praying criminal. Esther was speechless, and for once in her life, Lizzie was quiet too.
Jayce finished a slice of bacon, wiped his mouth with his napkin, then looked up at Esther and Lizzie, the smile gone. “I’m not proud of what I did, but I assure you, I’m no murderer or burglar. You don’t really think that, do you?”
Esther and Lizzie exchanged glances, but neither said anything.
“I got in a fight.” Jayce picked up his biscuit and began slathering it with butter. “I don’t really think the guy had issues with me. He hated my father for firing him. But stuff was said, and I punched him. The guy filed assault charges, and my dad wanted to plea bargain to avoid the press. So he spent a bunch of money to keep things on the lowdown.” He paused as he looked somewhere past them, seemingly lost in thought.
After a few long seconds, Jayce went on. “Like I said, I’m not proud of it. But when he started saying things about my mom . . . I guess he hit a nerve.”
Esther had never been in such unfamiliar territory. She and Lizzie remained quiet.
“I was mad at my mom when she left. In hindsight, I don’t know how she stayed with him as long as she did.” Pausing again, he lowered his eyes to his plate, but mostly just moved his eggs around with his fork. “No matter what happened, I love my mom, and I couldn’t let that guy stand there and say such awful things about her.” He lifted his eyes to Esther’s. “Right?”
She could see the longing for approval, for someone to agree with him. But she shook her head. “I don’t fully understand things in your world, sohn. But we don’t believe in violence, no matter what situation might present itself.”
“Maybe it’s just different for women.” He continued to push his eggs around. “Men are expected to stand up for the people they love—to protect them.”
Jayce was only going to be here a month. Esther wasn’t going to change his beliefs within that time frame, nor was it her place to do so.
“Can I just say this?” He set his fork down and looked them both in the eyes. “Evelyn is a nice person. I can see that. I know we live differently, but she will always be safe in my presence. If we become friends, well, that’s great. Maybe we’ll write letters or something after I leave. I’ve never known anyone like her, so maybe we’ll learn things from each other. But I don’t want you to worry for one moment that she isn’t safe or that I won’t behave like a gentleman.”
Esther’s heart warmed. It was such a sincere and seemingly truthful statement. Lizzie was back to batting her eyes at him.
“We are in no place to judge you for what you did, Jayce. Only Gott can do that. And as long as you’re remorseful about your actions, you should put it in the past,” Esther said.
“I’m remorseful.” He lowered his eyes to his plate again. “I probably shouldn’t have hit him so hard. But if you’d heard what he said . . .”
Esther was glad he didn’t finish his sentence. She wanted to tell him that he shouldn’t have hit the man at all, but she didn’t want to fuel a situation they already didn’t agree on. Jayce seemed like such a gentle soul, but he was also a young man fiercely protective of those he loved. But did it end there? Would he have hit Gus during their confrontation? How often did he use his fists in anger?
She reminded herself again that he’d only be here a month. She glanced at Lizzie. Her sister wasn’t batting her eyes anymore, but she also wasn’t glaring at Jayce. Esther recognized her expression, one of pained tolerance. Lizzie liked the boy, so she’d likely try to change him, even though ministering to outsiders wasn’t their way. Lizzie didn’t always follow the rules.
“Thank you for the breakfast.” Jayce stood and laid his napkin across his plate, still half filled with food.
After he left the room and was out of earshot, Lizzie looked at Esther. “I think he’s more remorseful than he lets on.”
Esther nodded. “I think you’re right.”
* * *
Jayce slipped into his jeans, then pulled on a blue T-shirt with short sleeves. Half his tattoo showed, but he didn’t care. If Evelyn hated the artistry, then so be it. He wasn’t going to change himself for an Amish woman he didn’t even know.
He lay on the bed and threw his arms behind him. How did Esther and Lizzie find out about his stint in jail? They would be shocked to know it hadn’t been his first rodeo. He’d been arrested twice before for similar outbursts. Both of those events felt justified at the time. Looking back, he should have avoided the fights.
But for the sisters to question Evelyn’s safety left Jayce feeling sour, and a bad attitude had snuck into his psyche. He liked Lizzie and Esther, and he wanted them to respect him for the man he wanted to be. It made sense they would worry about Evelyn, but it stung to hear them voice their concerns. He almost wished he could cancel the outing, but the alternative would be worse. Spending the day totally alone, or being forced to be around his father and some of the other crew members he could do without.
He almost dozed off but jumped when he heard horse hooves coming up the driveway. He pushed his feet int
o a pair of flip-flops and headed downstairs, thankful the living room was empty. He wasn’t in the mood for conversation with anyone, and he was already feeling sorry for Evelyn because of it.
He crossed through the front yard and waited for her to pull up. This buggy didn’t have a top on it.
“It’s such a beautiful day, I thought I’d bring the spring buggy.” She smiled before she glanced at her horse. “Millie seemed to like you the other day. Do you want to drive?”
“Nah, that’s okay.” He walked around to the other side and climbed in beside her, hoping his bad mood would take a hike.
They rode mostly in silence with a few more comments about the weather. The night before hadn’t felt awkward. Today did.
Evelyn turned on the next road, a dirt road not much wider than a walking path. She pulled back on the reins and the horse came to an abrupt stop. Then she twisted to face him. “You’re not acting normal.”
“You don’t know me, so how do you know what normal is?” It was a mean response, and he regretted it right away. He opened his mouth to apologize, but horror gripped him when her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m so sorry!” she said. “I have no idea what came over me. I’ve never been that forward with a man.” She covered her face and shook her head, sniffling. “I’m so embarrassed, and I won’t blame you if you want me to take you back to the inn.” She finally uncovered her face and met his stupefied gaze. “You must think I’m . . . trampy.”
Jayce covered his mouth to stifle a grin. He felt awful that she was crying, but if she thought a quick kiss was trampy . . . Wow. She’d think some of the women he knew were downright ladies of the night.
He uncovered his mouth, still struggling not to show his amusement. “Evelyn.” He stared into her eyes. “I do not think you are trampy.” It was an odd word, and he laughed. “Not at all.”
“But I kissed you!” she shrieked. “And it wasn’t even a gut kiss.” Throwing her arms up, she shook her head. “I don’t even know you.”
“Nope. You don’t.” More tears pooled in her eyes. “Evelyn, listen.” He reached over and clutched her hand, a little surprised she didn’t pull away. “Are you attracted to me?”
She didn’t move. Jayce wasn’t sure she was breathing. He took a deep breath. “I’m attracted to you. Very much. And you seem like a nice person. I can tell you all of that because once you find out who I really am, you’re never going to want to hang out with me again. So don’t give the kiss a second thought.” He paused, smiling. “Although, that kiss is pretty much all I thought about last night.” He was happy to see a small smile from her, but it was going to fade quickly. “I was in jail recently. I beat up a guy because he talked bad about my mother. And that wasn’t the only time I’ve lost my temper or been in jail.”
Her mouth hung open.
“So there’s no need to worry about a spontaneous kiss. You’re not . . . trampy.” He still fought a smile when he said the word. “Your reputation is fully intact. Unless you keep hanging out with the visiting bad boy. Then there might be talk among your people.”
He waited for her to let all that soak in. Millie kicked at the dirt like she was ready to go again.
A slow smile spread across her face. “You thought about the kiss all night?”
Jayce laughed. “I just told you that you’re hanging out with the visiting bad boy, but you want to know about the kiss?”
She continued to smile as she nodded.
“It was unexpected. It was nice. And you shouldn’t feel bad about it.” He paused as her expression shifted to a more serious one he couldn’t read.
“It wasn’t a gut kiss. I know that. I practically slammed my mouth into yours, then ran to hide like a young girl.” She chewed her bottom lip.
Jayce’s sour mood had fled. This woman amused him. “What are you saying? You want to try again?”
She shook her head, eyes wide. “Nee. Nee. It was inappropriate the first time. I’m just saying that’s not how I would normally kiss a man. Or how he would kiss me. Not that I would let a man kiss me on a first date. I’m not like that. I’ve never—”
“Evelyn.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Jayce pushed his hair out of his face. “Do you want to take me back to the inn now that you know I’m tarnished?”
She shook her head. “Nee.”
“Like you said, it’s a beautiful day. I’d like to spend it with you, but when Lizzie and Esther heard I’d been in jail, they showed some concern about your well-being, and it left me feeling weird. So if you want to take me back, I’ll totally understand.” At that moment, he realized how disappointed he would be if she chose to take him back to the inn. And she seemed to be taking a long time to answer.
“I’d like to spend the day with you too.” Her eyes gleamed with interest. “There’s just this one thing.”
Jayce waited.
“Can you maybe not beat up anyone today?” She pressed her lips together as she narrowed her eyes. The expression was so serious and cute all at the same time. She wasn’t just gorgeous. She was witty too.
“I don’t just go around beating up people. But if it’ll make you feel better, we can avoid the general population today.”
She nodded, the hint of a smile playing on her beautiful lips. “Ya. That might be best.” Then she flicked the reins, and Millie bolted into action.
Jayce clutched the side of the buggy. He held on tight, his mood having shifted from cranky to hopeful. This might not turn out to be such a bad day after all.
Seven
Esther carried a basket of wet clothes down the porch steps, Lizzie on her heels with another load. Esther’s back was aching.
“I don’t think I realized how much Naomi did when she was working for us.” Lizzie dropped the basket and turned to Esther. “We underpaid that maedel.”
Esther dug two clothespins out of her apron pocket and clutched one between her teeth as she picked a towel out of the basket. After she clipped the second pin, she said, “I think we paid her well, but we just don’t have the energy she has.”
Lizzie blew a strand of hair out of her face as she nodded to Gus. “What in the world is that man wearing?”
Esther scooped up another towel but watched Gus as he sauntered from the cottage toward the main house. “He has a hat on, which is no reason for you to pick at him. Leave him alone, Lizzie. Just let him be.”
Lizzie dropped the towel she was holding in the basket and slapped her hands on her hips. Esther’s words had fallen on deaf ears.
“Who are you supposed to be?” Lizzie’s tiny frame looked even smaller facing off with Gus.
“Mind your business, woman. I ain’t here to see or talk to you. As a matter of fact, I wish I had a magic wand I could wave in your direction and—poof!—you’d disappear.” Gus tipped his hat toward Esther. The man was intolerable at times, but he was nicer to her than anyone else he encountered. She eyed his hat. It was dark brown and flat on top with a rim similar to a baseball cap. He’d also trimmed his gray beard, though his hair was in its usual ponytail.
“Well, if I had a magic wand, I’d wave it at you and turn you into a worm. Then I’d squash you until you were one with the dirt.” Lizzie snorted as if she’d said the funniest thing ever. It was pointless to remind her they were supposed to be passive. At least when it came to Gus.
“It won’t be long until you treat me with the respect I deserve.” He glared at Lizzie.
She bent at the waist laughing. “Never, never, never.”
Esther just shook her head and reached for another towel, hoping Lizzie would do the same so they could get this chore behind them and hopefully take a nap before they had to start supper.
“I’ve come to have a chat with Brandon. Is he available?” Gus’s formality was so out of character that Esther was having trouble keeping a straight face.
“I saw him head over to the motor home on the right earlier.” Esther hadn’t no
ticed the loud humming lately, so she must have gotten used to the noisy generators. She wondered if Gus had, too, or if he was just enduring it now that Mr. Clarkson was giving him a part in the movie.
Gus spun around and started back in the opposite direction without another word. He beat on the motor home door, and after a few minutes a pretty blonde woman answered. She motioned for him to come in.
Lizzie finally picked up a towel and pinned it to the line. “We’re never going to hear the end of this, you know. Gus’s head will be the size of a bowling ball, along with his ego.”
Esther smiled. “Maybe if he’s happy, life will be easier for all of us. An oversized ego might be a big improvement over the man he is now.”
Lizzie shook her head. “I don’t see how. I shiver to think about it.”
Esther’s thoughts drifted away from Gus. “I hope Evelyn and Jayce are having an enjoyable time.”
Lizzie pinched her lips. “It’s hard to believe that boy’s been in jail. But even though it isn’t our way to be physical, I can’t help but wonder what that fellow said about his mother. It must have been awful for him to react the way he did.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Esther was quick to say. “Violence is never the answer.”
“Ya, ya. I know.”
Esther knew what Lizzie was thinking because her own thoughts mirrored it. Jayce seemed like a nice fellow who had grown up in a world they were unfamiliar with. His relationship with his father wasn’t what it should be, and he’d gotten into some trouble.
She and Lizzie were both good at judging a person’s character, and Jayce seemed like a good man stuck in a life he didn’t want. But only he could change his circumstances, his reaction to his situation, and his journey. He and God. She said a quick prayer that things were going well today for him and Evelyn.
A person could never have too many friends. Esther also prayed that the young people would be wise enough to keep things friendly and pursue nothing more. It was the smart thing to do. But Esther still felt a familiar itch to play matchmaker. She needed to squash the thought and certainly not mention it to Lizzie. Her sister was already smitten with Jayce—jail time or not—and she’d likely jump on any opportunity to fuel a romance between Evelyn and Jayce.
