A Little Bit of Charm (29 page)

Rachel ducked her head. “Speaking of Keeley, what will she do on Saturdays when there are no tours?”

“What she does best—sleep late, watch TV all day in her pajamas, and munch on chips.” Jake took hold of one of her
kapp
strings and twirled it around his finger.

She yanked it back and tucked it behind her ear. “Keeley has no friends?”

“None with cars. Mom always works on Saturdays. Once in a while when Jessie is home, they go to the movies or shopping at the mall.” This time he reached for her other ribbon.

“Stop that,” she scolded with little conviction. “You're not
Skinny Joe after a piece of yarn.” Scrambling to her feet, Rachel picked up her bag. “Now that I'm officially an exercise girl, I'll change into riding clothes.” She paused in the doorway and looked back. Jake had already switched on the computer. “Do you suppose I might ride Eager to Please someday?”

His face softened. “The unofficial employee-of-the-month wants to mount a raging beast?”

“I would love to.” She waited, afraid to exhale.

“He's not here, Rachel. But when he returns, I don't see why not. Of course, we'll need approval from Alan Hitchcock. He's in charge of Eager's training.”

Rachel hefted her bag to her shoulder. “Where is Eager?”

“In Florida for the winter months. They run yearling races to prepare for the two-year-old stakes races in May. He'll be back by spring.”

“I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.” Her exuberance over the promotion ebbed.

Jake's eyes grew round. “The Hitchcock entourage left a week ago on your day off. I didn't realize you'd grown attached.”

“I would sneak in sometimes after work to scratch his ears. He loved it.”

“Sorry, darlin'. I'll tell you what. When the colt comes home, I'll assign you to Eager's team. You're light enough to ride him around the track.”

“Thanks, Jake. I won't eat another slice of pie or third piece of fried chicken again.”

He leaned back in his chair. “You're perfect just the way you are. Anyway, you'll burn off any extra calories working the boarders. You won't be riding in a wagon pulled by slow, fat Bess all day long.”

“
Fat
? Wait until I tell her. You had better start checking over your shoulder, Jake Brady.” Rachel stalked off, feigning indignation on behalf of a huge draft horse. It was the only thing she could
do to not think about the touch of his fingers on her cheek, or his casually spoken endearment.
You're perfect just the way you are
. Was this a proper way to talk to an Amish woman?

As lovely as Jake's Saturday morning had been, the day went downhill from there. After introducing Rachel to the trainer she would report to, he'd left her in Larry's capable hands. Dad thought Rachel should take orders from someone other than him so there would be no complaints of favoritism around the employee lounge. Jake thought it a good idea too. No way could he work with her constantly. The temptation to hold her hand or sneak a quick kiss would be too great. Earlier, two dangling
kapp
ribbons had proven irresistible.

Rachel's happiness over her promotion to exercise girl kept his spirits up during an onerous morning of dozens of e-mails. By the time Jake left the office with a stiff back and a crick in his neck, the only thing on his mind was seeing Rachel at lunch. Maybe his mom had left a pot of soup in the kitchen they could carry to the porch for some privacy. Eating with your jacket on was preferable to Keeley's surveillance of his romantic abilities. Her frequent comments regarding his shortfalls did nothing for his confidence. Or maybe Sarah had packed Rachel's lunch, in which case there would be enough for two. If the trail wasn't too muddy, he would suggest a picnic at the mill.

But his father curtailed his plans with a mandatory meeting to discuss Hitchcock's progress with Eager to Please. Ken was worried about the escalating expenses. And he was especially curious as to why Jake remained in Kentucky instead of accompanying the horse to Florida as planned. What could he say?
I'm afraid my girlfriend will marry somebody else while I'm gone?
No. Jake wanted to communicate his plan to continue to get new clients. When they
returned from the diner in town, Jake spotted Rachel in the arena exercising one of their boarded Saddlebreds. That one glimpse would have to suffice until after work.

At four o'clock he lurked under a bare elm she would have to pass. “May I walk you to your carriage, my princess?” He pushed off from the tree trunk as she approached, already wearing her Plain attire.

“I do feel like a princess on the back of those expensive horses. One is more handsome than the next. I took apples to Calamity Jane, Bess, and Buster to make sure their feelings weren't hurt. What if they saw me from their stall windows?” Rachel fell in step at his side, close but not touching.

“Did you tell Bess about my unkind remark?” He shortened his stride to lengthen the duration of their walk.

“I decided against it. After all, why should one human opinion lower her self-esteem? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“You're absolutely correct.” Jake jammed his hands down in his pockets. With only a few minutes together, he didn't want to discuss draft horses, even if Bess was the world's prettiest. “What are your plans for tonight? If you'd like, we could see a movie in Somerset. Keeley will know what's playing at the mall.”

When she turned her face to him, the sun sparkled in her blue eyes, while a lock of blond hair peeked from the side of her
kapp
. She looked heartbreakingly beautiful. “Thanks for the invite, but two dates within two days wouldn't be very casual.” Her dimples deepened with her smile. “Tonight I'll attend an Amish singing if I'm not too tired when I get home.”

“Would you like me to take you and pick you up when it's finished?” He spoke without thinking.

“No, I'll drive myself. If it's too far, one of my friends has a car and could pick me up.” She entered the paddock for Isaac's gelding. After a gentle stroke down his black mane, she led the horse to her buggy.

Jake followed at her heels, similar to Skinny Joe but with one more eye. He was no less devoted. “Do you huddle around a campfire while someone strums a guitar?” He held the bridle while she attached the harness.

“No guitars or other instruments, and if there's a bonfire to roast marshmallows, it would be after the singing. We sit at long tables—girls on one side, boys on the other—inside someone's barn or outbuilding. The Amish use the
Ausbund
for hymns. Here the Mennonites sing old-fashioned hymns in German but contemporary songs in English. It's more like church than a campfire sing-along, but we socialize afterward.”

“Do people of all ages show up?” He offered his hand as she climbed aboard.

Rachel hesitated before accepting, always surprised by gallant gestures. “No, singings are for young people of courting age or close to it. Once an engaged couple ties the knot, they no longer come to singings.”

“I'm starting to catch on.” He handed her the reins.

“We're both learning new things, no?” She released the brake. “Thank you for helping with my horse, Jake. I'll see you Wednesday.”

With his chance about to slip away, he caught hold of the harness. “There are two questions I've been meaning to ask, Rachel. Would you like to work on Thursdays? It's not mandatory, but if Sarah can spare you, the stable needs extra help. I know Mondays and Tuesdays are busy at home.”

Rachel pulled a quilt over her knees. “I'd love to work Thursdays, maybe every other week until spring or until they send me back to Pennsylvania. I'll check with Sarah and Isaac.” She laughed with that magical sound.

Jake felt his palms begin to sweat. Even in jest, he hated the idea of Rachel going home.
This
was home—Twelve Elms Stables of Charm, Kentucky. “We'll take any day the Stolls can spare you.”

“What was your other question?” She shielded her eyes with one hand.

“I wondered if you would like to go to church with me tomorrow. I'm curious as to what your service is like, so I thought you might like to see what goes on in a Baptist church.”

For half a minute Rachel stared at him. Apparently, his question had caught her off guard. Jake forced himself to wait, not filling the air with pointless chatter. His patience was rewarded.

“Sure, why not? I
am
curious. What should I wear? I own no English clothes other than my work duds.”

“Wear an Amish dress, of course. Just expect to turn a few heads, and someone might ask a question or two.”

“Not to worry. Plain folks are used to stares and nosy questions. What time should I expect you?” She shook the reins against the gelding's flank. Her buggy started to roll.

“I'll pick you up at eight.”

“Perfect. I'll be ready,” she called without turning around. Rachel was already headed back to her own world.

Jake thought about jogging along to the highway but restrained his juvenile impulse. At least he would see her tomorrow. And that was about as long as he could wait.

Sunday morning

When Jake casually mentioned that Rachel would be joining them for services, his family reacted as though he announced his imminent move to the south of France. Questions flew through the kitchen, which he either ignored or answered with a flat “no.” Only Jessie, home from college for the holidays, showed little surprise. When the fervor died down, he asked his sister, “Don't you have anything to add?”

“Only that I saw this coming long ago.” Jessie graced him with a
toothy smile. “Don't worry. I'll run interference to keep Keeley and Virgil at arm's length. I would hate for Rachel to see the real Bradys in action too soon.” Jake thanked her with a nod and headed out the door, feeling his mom's eyes boring into his back.

At the chicken farm Rachel was waiting on the porch, despite a cool drizzle under a dismal gray sky. When she climbed into his truck she lifted her palm in warning. “Don't even ask how Sarah and Isaac reacted to my accompanying you this morning. Let's talk about this lovely weather or the upcoming Bengals game…anything but the Stoll breakfast conversation.”

“My family couldn't believe it either. I'll give you my news first, and then you can tell me about last night.” Jake looked in both directions before pulling onto the highway. “The no-kill shelter called yesterday. Three of the cats have already been adopted, and someone is interested in the fourth one.”

Rachel clapped her hands. “That is great news! Much better than mine, I'm afraid. The singing went fine, but afterward Reuben Mullet occupied all my time talking about his dairy herd. I don't know how I can meet the rest of the district if he monopolizes every minute.”

Jake tried to act sympathetic while inside he celebrated hapless Reuben shooting himself in the foot.
One competitor out of the running
.

Too soon they arrived at the First Baptist Church of Charm. Rachel sprang out of the vehicle. “I noticed this church's steeple when I arrived in town. Now I get to see the inside too.” She clasped his hand as they hurried up the steps, not waiting for the call-to-worship bell or the rest of his family. Selecting a pew near the front, Rachel spent the time studying each new arrival to the sanctuary. During the service they shared a hymnal, bowed their heads in prayer, and listened intently to Reverend Bullock's sermon. When they finally filed out into the cold rain, Rachel's face was glowing.