Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel (13 page)

“Maybe I will. That is, if I can get a job.” Now she was
the one feeling uncomfortable. While it was true that she had big plans, he had already accomplished so much, and only a few years older.

Something flickered in his eyes. A new expression that told so much. That he understood, and was glad that she, too, wasn’t the type to brag about achievements.

The hall ended in a small sunroom. Instead of a door opening into the area, a baby gate blocked the passage. “Here’s where Trixie and her pups are.” Eyeing the gate a little warily, he said, “This is a little high. My mom bought it at a garage sale, so it can’t be unlatched. Do you think you can step over it?”

“Without a problem,” she said. “I’m short but capable.”

“Somehow that sounds about right,” he said with a smile. But still, he reached out for her arm as she clambered over the gate.

As she grasped it, Leah thought it felt warm and solid. Like it was used to carrying burdens. Slowly, she met his gaze. For a moment, she wished he’d keep his hand on her arm. Or let it slip down to her hand and grasp it.

What was happening between them? They seemed to be rolling head over feet into a relationship without either of them really pushing. Their conversations were getting deeper, more meaningful, all at dizzying speed.

She was extremely grateful for the pup that toddled over and explored her ankle. “Oh, Zack!” she cried, crouching down to the tiny brown and white ball of fur.

While Zack merely looked on, it was the puppy that demanded an answer. “Yip!”

Reaching out, she gently patted its back, afraid to scare
it. But it was no scaredy-cat. “Yip!” it cried again; then, with a spin, darted back to its brothers and sisters.

Leah was completely, utterly in love.

“Zack, they’re so cute! I don’t know how you’ll ever let them go.”

He grinned as he knelt down next to the box. “It’s hard. There’s nothing cuter than a puppy.”

Leah figured she would have a hard time topping that statement. The pups were extremely cute, and their mother, a pretty tricolored beagle, looked as proud as any human mom. Her chocolaty brown eyes automatically went to Zack and her tail thumped twice.

His hand looked gentle as he rubbed Trixie’s head. “How you doing, girl? Those kids driving you crazy yet?”

As Trixie thumped her tail again, Leah scooted a little closer to Zack. Soon, the adventurous pup who’d greeted her went back toward its mom. With a tiny push, it nudged its way in for some milk.

Leah tried to count the pups, but it took some doing. They were in a puppy clump. Some were nursing, others were asleep. Each one was cuter than the next. After a few minutes, a few left Trixie’s side and greeted Zack.

Knowing how protective mother dogs were, Leah stayed still, letting Zack be the guide. And that was okay, too, because seeing Zack Littleton in this way was mesmerizing. His hazel eyes gleamed as he let one of the pups chew on his finger. He laughed as another yipped and plopped on its rear.

“They’re wonderful, Zack,” she said. Not daring to add that she thought he was pretty wonderful, too.

Zack looked at Leah and smiled. “I thought you’d like them. Makes you almost forget it’s snowing outside.”

“Almost.”

When Trixie thumped her tail again, Leah reached out her hand to pet her, then stilled. She didn’t want to worry the new mother.

“It’s okay,” Zack murmured. “Trixie trusts me. Just go ahead and say hi to her first.”

Following Zack’s lead, she petted the beagle. “Your babies are beautiful,” she whispered, then grinned Zack’s way as one little puppy stretched and walked over to inspect her. Before she knew it, two others yipped and whined, and then jumped and raced her way.

Zack laughed. “Oh, you’re in for it now. They want to play.”

Pushing her legs out in front of her, Leah picked up the puppy who’d just yipped. The little pup was pudgy and squirmy. Unable to help herself, she cuddled him close. “Oh, he smells like a puppy.”

Zack reached over and rubbed the puppy’s head. “I knew you’d love them.” He paused. “Listen, I’m going to do a little bit of cleaning up and check my email before we get going. Will you be okay for a few minutes?”

“Playing with puppies? Take your time.”

Soon, all six wanted attention, and Leah literally had her hands full of wiggling, squirming pups. She picked up one after the other as Zack cleaned up shredded, soiled newspaper and refilled the water bowl. Soon, even Trixie got to her feet and stretched.

“She wants to go out. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time.” Leah shooed him away. “I’ll be fine. Take all the time you want.”

As he left the room, she realized with some surprise that she was starting to feel more at ease with him. Maybe it was because she’d met his family. Maybe it was because he was a police officer. Or maybe, it was just because he was Zack.

December 23, 11:00
A.M.

“We couldn’t stay away another day,” Winnie Miller said when she arrived at the inn with Sam and a suitcase full of clothes.

Looking at his wife fondly, Sam chuckled. “Just so you know, Winnie means that literally. If I hadn’t started loading up the buggy right after breakfast, I’m afraid she would have started walking over here.”

“I wasn’t that bad. Well, maybe I was,” Winnie said with a grin as she followed Katie and Anna into the entryway of the home. “I’ve just been on eggshells wondering what you all have been doing this morning without me.” She looked around. “What project are you working on today? Quilts, maybe? Cookies?”

“I believe the plan is to make doughnuts and wrap up Christmas presents for the girls,” Anna said. “And we’re going to have some venison stew. The men have been busy hunting.”

Katie smiled at her sister-in-law’s quick pace as she followed them into the hearth room to greet Mary and Hannah.

After admiring the napkins the girls were finishing up for their grandmother, Winnie eyed Katie more closely. “Are you all right? How’s Eli?”

“A little fussy today, if you want to know the truth. Jonathan’s rocking him in our room. I’m hoping he’s just out of sorts because of all the people.”

Winnie winked. “That’s understandable. I’ve been known to be out of sorts from time to time as well.”

Thinking of when Winnie had been recuperating from the fire and had been confined to a wheelchair, Katie said, “Perhaps my Eli takes after his aunt? He doesn’t like to be confined one bit.”

“Let’s hope he never has to have his leg in a cast, then,” Winnie teased. She looked to continue when Melody stuck her head in.

When she spied the three of them, Melody quickly stepped out. “I’m sorry. I was just looking for my book.”

Still mindful of Melody’s news, and her past behavior, Katie rushed to invite her. “Would you like to join us? We’re going to make lard cakes soon.”

“Thank you, but no. I seem to be all thumbs today. Who knows what trouble I’d get into near hot oil. I’m going to sit and read for a bit before I go outside.”

That surprised Katie. “Outside? It’s barely above freezing.”

“I know, but the sun is out. And, well … Levi offered to walk with me this afternoon.”

“Ah. Well, I imagine a little bit of fresh air will do you good.”

As Anna walked off with Melody to help her find her book, Winnie turned to Katie. “How are things going? Does she seem to be settling in better?”

“I think so.” Briefly she told Winnie about hearing Melody cry at night … and then also how she noticed Melody and Levi eating cookies together the night before. “Perhaps she had been right to come here for the holiday. She certainly needed to rest.”

Winnie, being Winnie, jumped from the story to her quick conclusion.

“Or, perhaps, there was more guiding here than simply a need to rest. Perhaps God put them both here for a reason.”

Katie did believe in the Lord guiding them … but she also believed in chance, too. “We’ve lots of people who stay here at the same time. Usually, it’s of no consequence.”

“But it could be. You never know,” she added, her voice turning dreamy. “Why, I think God put me in the hospital right next to Samuel’s place of work for a reason …”

“Perhaps,” Katie allowed. “Or, perhaps not. You’re such a romantic, Win.”

“Only recently. But truly, being romantic is a good thing, ain’t so?”

“Oh, Win. You do make me laugh. Come help me roll out dough for the lard cakes.”

December 23, 11:00
A.M.

The most wondrous things were happening at the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast. Sometime between when she’d first arrived in such an exhaustive state—and now, just two days later—Melody had begun to feel at peace.

Perhaps it was the homespun comfort of the inn, with the fresh scent of greenery draping the front door and the trio of candles decorating the front reception desk.

Perhaps it was the friendship she observed among the Brenneman family. They had a bustling, comfortable way about them. Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman were the obvious heads of the house, but they easily worked side by side with Henry and Katie. Yes, there was real love there.

Or, perhaps, what affected Melody most was the romantic love between the newlyweds. Seeing Katie’s blue eyes shine whenever she saw her husband made Melody smile, too.

And watching Henry’s ever-so-patient demeanor with his Anna truly made Melody sigh with longing. It was so obvious that these matches were made in heaven, and that they were fulfilling partnerships in every way possible.

And while seeing that should have made Melody feel even more nostalgic for the things that could never be, right here, right now at the inn … why, everything suddenly felt possible. Suddenly all her despair was leaving her.

But perhaps much of that optimism had to do with the man beside her. Levi Bender was secretive and quiet. His
eyes seemed to see far more than he let on. And it was obvious that his feelings ran deep. But it was because of that pain—not in spite of it—that a sense of tranquility had been created between them.

Melody was grateful for it as they bundled up and walked outside.

There weren’t too many places to go, not really. It was either walk around the property or go into the woods. Or do what they were doing now, which was walk up and down the long, meandering driveway. Levi was one of the few men she’d ever met who didn’t seem to mind her small stature, or her slow walking pace. In fact, it felt as if he could have let their little walk take all day, if that’s what she needed. Every so often when she would stop, he would hold out a hand just in case she needed his support.

As he was doing at the moment. “Do you mind the snow?” he asked when she stopped to stomp one of her boots. “Is it too icy for you? Do you want to go back?”

His conciliatory manner was so sweet, she shook her head. “I don’t mind the snow at all, and it doesn’t feel too icy to me. Actually, it does my body good to get out and about.”

“I feel the same way.”

Melody hid a smile. She’d been talking about her very large condition. She was so big and uncomfortable now, sitting or lying down brought precious little relief. “Are you used to sitting around less?”

“Very much so. At the factory, I’m constantly in motion. I mean, I’m busy there.”

“You work in a garage-door factory, don’t you?”

“Jah.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do, well enough.” He shrugged. “It’s a
gut
job. I not only help build the doors, I sometimes am asked to assist in managing the men.”

“They must respect you.”

“Perhaps.” Lines around his eyes deepened as he smiled. “Like I said, I like working there. I’ve worked there almost ten years now. The men there are good and easy to work with. And fair, too. There’s no one who makes things difficult or who doesn’t want to do his part. That’s a rarity, I think.”

“Are they all Amish?”

“Nee.
We’re about half and half, which makes life interesting. We joke around with each other. And laugh a lot, too. All of that makes the days go by fast.”

They continued to walk down the gravel driveway. There wasn’t much to see, beyond snowbanks and bare thickets of woods. Around them, the tall oaks and maples were void of branches. Every so often, a vehicle’s engine could be heard. But other than that, they were completely alone.

That’s when Melody realized two things. One, he was the first man she’d been alone with in almost nine months, and she wasn’t afraid. Secondly, she was enjoying this man’s company. Enjoying his self-deprecating humor.

Stopping again, she looked at him in wonder. “Levi, it is
wunnerlich,
but now I think I can actually imagine you laughing.”

“And how is that strange?”

“When we first met—all of two days ago—I don’t know if I could. You seemed very sullen.”

The twinkling in his eyes vanished, making her wish that she’d held her tongue. “I had a lot on my mind,” he finally said when they started walking again.

They had reached the end of the driveway. In unison, they turned and started back. Now the beautiful oak sign announcing the entrance to the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast greeted them like a symbol of hope. Drawing them closer.

Perhaps the right thing to do would be to drop the subject. To not push Levi. But Melody found she couldn’t. Now she had no secrets left. The man beside her knew she was with child, and that this child was a product of the most terrible of things.

But he also knew that she’d survived, was stronger for it.

So she pushed. “Is your mind burdened because it’s Christmas?”

“Partly.”

“But not all …”

She misstepped and almost tripped on a rock. He held out his hand and supported her elbow. And finally answered. “Christmas is part of my problem. But no, not all.”

“Do you want to share?”

“Not especially.”

“You might feel better for it.”

“My, you’re being direct now.”

She couldn’t deny that. “You don’t have to answer, of course. If you choose not to, I’ll understand.” She paused, trying to put into words what was jumbled in her brain.
“But I think something tragic happened to you. And I know what dealing with that feels like.”