Love Inspired March 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Wife for Jacob\The Forest Ranger's Rescue\Alaskan Homecoming (16 page)

The teasing comments between his family members continued, but Jacob was lost in his own thoughts. Eli tapped him on the shoulder through the open window. Jacob was surprised to realize that everyone had left the vehicle except him.

Eli eyed him with a frown. “What is wrong?”

Jacob shook his head. “I shouldn't be here.”

“Annie.” His brother sighed. “I told you it was dangerous for you to be in her company. You love her, and now you're hurting. What has she done now?”

He paused. “She's decided on Ike King.”

Eli raised his eyebrows. “Amos's brother?” He gestured toward the door, reminding Jacob that he needed to get out of the buggy.

Jacob took the hint and climbed down. “
Ja
,
Amos's brother. A
widower
.”

“I find it difficult to believe.” Eli started toward the house, and reluctantly, Jacob fell into step with him.

“Believe it,” Jacob said. “I've seen them together—more than once.”

Eli shrugged. “You've seen me with Mary Hershberger, and there is nothing between us.”

Jacob felt as if his feet were made of lead as he continued on. “Mary is not
interested in you. She likes Joseph Byler, and you know that. Ike
is
interested in Annie Zook, and Annie seems to be comfortable with him. She wants to marry an older man.”

Eli was shaking his head. “
Nay
, I think not.”

“You wait and see for yourself,” Jacob challenged him. “I know Annie Zook.”

“How often have you seen her since you hurt your hand?” Eli asked.

“The past couple of times I worked, she never once came out to talk or visit.”

“You haven't exactly encouraged her.”

Jacob readjusted his hat. “I kissed her.”

“You
what
?”

“It happened after the singing. The time seemed right, but then it all went wrong.”

“What did she say afterward?” Eli asked.

Jacob frowned. “Nothing. We didn't have a chance to discuss it.”

“You kissed her and then stayed away? That was foolish, Jake.” His twin knew him too well.

“I know.” He spied a group of men in the side yard and switched directions. Eli followed his lead. “But it's too late now.”

“Is it? You love this woman, but you avoid her after one kiss. What are you waiting for? To be miserable after she marries someone else?”

The thought of Annie marrying Ike made Jacob sick inside. “I can't tell her. I missed my chance.” He felt as if he were twelve again and heartbroken after having learned that Annie was in love with Jedidiah, his eldest brother. “If I'm wrong about her feelings for Ike, I'll know soon enough and then I'll tell her how I feel. If I'm right, I'll keep my distance. I want her to be happy, even if it means losing her.”

“You're a fool, Jacob.”

A fool for Annie
, Jacob thought. “Wait until you fall in love, Eli. Until then, don't judge me.”

Eli halted, put a hand on Jacob's shoulder. “I'm not judging you, Jake. I want you to be happy with her. It frustrates me that you won't do anything, and I can't help you.”

Jacob gave him a wry smile. “I'm sorry, Eli. I'm not myself.”

“
Ja
, you are, and I admire you for it. You think I don't want a wife of my own? A home? A family? I want all of those things, but I'm not ready yet.”

“When you meet the right woman, you'll be ready,” Jacob said with conviction.

His brother grinned at him. “Then what are
you
waiting for?”

As they joined the men, the back door to the farmhouse opened and Annie Zook stepped outside with Ike King. Jacob elbowed his brother, nodded in the couple's direction.

Eli frowned. “Maybe it's not as it seems.”

Jacob felt a burning in his stomach. “And maybe it is.” He couldn't tear his gaze away. Annie happened to glance over in his direction, and their gazes locked a moment before she looked away.

“There's
Dat
,” Eli said, grabbing hold of his arm. “Let's join him and the others. It looks like we'll be dining outside today since the weather has taken a delightful turn.”

He knew his brother was trying to distract him. Jacob tore his gaze away, feeling battered and bruised. His heart was aching. How could he have allowed it to happen?

Because love just happens.
Love was a gift from God, which should be cherished for all the small, memorable moments he'd enjoyed with Annie, even if he wasn't meant to have her for a lifetime, as his wife.

“Come on, Jake,” Eli urged.

He hadn't realized that he'd hesitated. Jacob nodded and continued on.

Eli looked at him with concern. “You will find some other woman to make you happy.”

But would he? Jacob didn't think so. He believed he'd never love anyone as much as he loved Annie. If he didn't act now, he would lose all hope of having her. He had to do something, but what?

Chapter Sixteen

“I
'd like to take you around my property sometime,” Ike said as he accompanied Annie outside. “Show you my
haus
. You've seen the kitchen. I'd like you to see the rest of it.”

Annie looked at him. “And Barbara?

His hesitation was barely visible, but Annie noticed. “
Ja
, Barbara, too.” He softened his tone. “But it is
you
I want to have see everything.”

Ike's words gave her a jolt. The man apparently was interested in her, and she should be happy, for he was the kind of man who would make her a good husband, yet...

Her thoughts turned to Jacob Lapp. Could she settle for Ike if her heart belonged to Jacob? Ike was still talking, telling her about all the things he wanted her to see. Annie nodded, smiled and barely heard him as she looked over at Jacob, who had captured her attention. Jacob Lapp walked with his brother Eli toward the gathering of men. He turned and they locked gazes. Annie felt a rush of heat. Embarrassed to be caught staring, she could only imagine the look in the man's bright eyes.

“And I wanted your opinion on a new mare I purchased...” Ike said, but Annie was distracted by Jacob. “...I know you will have much to do in the
haus
.”

Annie stiffened. “I will have to check with
Mam
,” she said, “I have my chores to do.”

Ike looked puzzled. “
Ja.
I know you do a lot in your family's
haus
. I wouldn't ask you to neglect your chores.” He regarded her closely and frowned. “Annie, aren't you well?”

She felt an overwhelming burst of relief. He hadn't been talking about her working in
his
house. If that was the case, then she would have panicked—it would have been happening all too soon.

She saw Jacob and Eli Lapp had joined the men. Her heart skipped a beat. Jacob was deep in conversation with his father and brother. Abram Peachy and Amos King, Abram's father-in-law and Ike's brother, approached and joined in the conversation.

As if following the direction of her gaze, Ike said, “I'll leave you to the women. I will visit with the men.”

Annie nodded, relieved to see him go, when only a short while ago, she'd been glad to welcome him. She should be enjoying every moment spent in Ike's company, but she found herself distracted, her thoughts returning again and again to the younger man with dark hair and golden eyes, the man who had kissed her and made her fall in love.

“Annie!” her mother's voice called from the doorway.

“Coming,
Mam
!” She ran inside, glad to have something to do to take her mind off Ike King and Jacob Lapp. Why couldn't she stop thinking of Jacob when her goal of finding an older sweetheart was within reach?

The kitchen was filled with women as Annie stepped into the room.

“I thought we could eat outside,”
Mam
told her, “but your
dat's
leg has been hurting.” She smiled. “He's become a
gut
weather forecaster. He said it will rain or there will be a full moon.”

“Ja,”
Aunt
Alta said, “my hip has been bothering me. It will rain.”

Annie greeted the women. When she approached Charlotte, the young woman smiled and introduced Martha Schrock, her brother-in-law Eli's cousin.

“She has come to visit from Indiana,” Charlotte said.

Annie smiled and welcomed Martha, a dark-haired, unmarried woman in her mid-twenties. She was a plain woman without a husband, according to Aunt Alta.
Will I be like her if I don't marry Ike?
“You're staying with Sarah and Eli.”

“Ja,”
Martha said. “I haven't seen Eli since he was a boy. I am enjoying my time here.”

As she carried on a conversation with the woman, Annie recognized God's light in her. She might be plain, but there was something about her brown eyes, her warm smile and her ability to listen. Martha looked and paid attention to her as if she were the only one in the room.

“I'm glad you could be here today,” Annie said.

“Danki,”
Martha replied.

When her mother called to her from the gathering room, Annie gave Martha a look of apology. “Coming,” she called. “No doubt she wants me to set up a table so we can put out the food.”

“May I help?” Martha seemed eager for something to do.

“That would be wonderful.” Annie entered the room with Martha.

“There you are,”
Mam
said. “
Gut.
Hallo
, Martha, have you come to help?”

Martha nodded, and Annie's mother quickly instructed where she wanted the furniture arranged. With Martha's help, Annie shifted a table to another area of the room. “I hope it is not too heavy.”

Martha smiled.
“Nay.”
After they set it down, the woman held up her hands. They were large hands for a woman, and clearly she had done her share of hard work.

“Let's get the other one,” Annie said.

Martha nodded. When the tables were in their proper place, according to
Mam
, Annie smiled and said, “Let's get something to drink before we put out the food.” Martha agreed as she trailed her back into the kitchen.

Annie and the other women had put out all the food when the men arrived to eat first, as was custom on Sundays. If they had chosen to dine outside, then families might have sat down together. They had shared tables on Church and visiting Sundays before. It was up to the preacher, and since Levi Stoltzfus said nothing about relaxing the custom this Sunday, Annie, Martha and the other women, along with the children, waited for their turn.

Annie became aware of Jacob as he entered the room. He captured her gaze as he walked by. “Annie,” he said, but Annie noticed that he didn't smile.

She felt a tightening in her throat as she whispered, “Jacob.”

Ike King, on the other hand, grinned at her as he passed by her to take his seat. Conscious of Jacob and Ike, Annie left the gathering room with its makeshift bench tables and bench seats. In the kitchen, Katie Lapp and her two daughters-in-law, Sarah and Rachel, were enjoying a cup of tea while they waited for the men to finish.

“I prefer it when we all eat together,” Katie said, and the other women agreed.

Jacob's young sister, Hannah, burst into the kitchen. She and the other children had been outside, playing in the yard. “
Mam
, is it almost time to eat?”

“
Ja
, Hannah, but you must be patient,” Katie said. She glanced past her daughter to the window. “Where are your
bruders
?”

“Daniel and Isaac are inside with
Dat
,” she said. “Joseph is outside with me.”

Katie's lips twitched. “Will you tell Joseph to come inside?”

Hannah's golden head nodded vigorously.

“Are Will and Elam outside?” Josie asked of her two young sons.

“
Ja.
I can get them, too,” Hannah said.

Josie exchanged smiles with Katie as the child ran back to round up her playmates. “She is growing fast, Katie.”

Annie agreed. She longed to have a child like Hannah, wanted to have a large number of them.

Her thoughts returned to Ike and Jacob. Ike liked her. Should she allow him to court her if he asked?

It was Jacob who made her feel alive. She imagined him holding their child, and pictured him running in the yard, chasing their
kinner
. The image was wonderful—and out of her reach. What was she doing with Ike King?

She frowned.
Because I don't know what Jacob's intentions are?

Her mother broke into her thoughts. “Annie, would you check to see if your
dat
or any of the men
need anything?”

“Ja, Mam.”
Annie headed toward the gathering room, thoughts of Jacob whirling in her head.

“Do
ya
mind if I come?” Martha asked shyly.

“Not at all.” Annie moved aside to allow her room.

The men had finished eating and were starting to rise from the tables.

“Is there anything else you need?” Annie asked. “Dessert? Or would you like it later?” Most of the men chose to wait.

Ike King approached with a smile. “Annie, the meal was delicious.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed it.” Annie felt slightly uncomfortable with his praise. She pulled Martha forward and introduced her. “She's Eli Schrock's cousin.”

Ike inclined his head and offered her a smile. “
Hallo.
A pleasure to meet you.”

Martha beamed.

Annie left Ike and Martha to talk, and moved to pick up dishes and plates and ready the dining area for the women and younger children.

She was engrossed in the task and didn't realize that someone had approached from behind. Then she felt an odd tingling at the base of her neck, and she turned. Jacob Lapp stood a few feet away, watching her.

“Jacob!” she gasped.

“Annie.” His voice was quiet, his expression unreadable. “Are you angry with me?”

She stilled for a moment, then shook her head.

He raised an eyebrow. “I saw you with Ike again.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Are you going to marry him?”

Annie felt flustered. She loved Jacob and fought to hide it. She wanted to tell him, but she was afraid. She'd never felt this way before—not with Jedidiah and certainly not with Ike. “Ike is a nice man.”

Jacob nodded. He turned toward a window to watch the children playing in the yard. Annie couldn't keep her eyes off him. The sight of him stole her breath. He wore his Sunday best and his long-sleeved white shirt emphasized his arms, reminding her of the way they moved as he worked in her father's shop. He was taller than her, but not too tall. She couldn't tell by his features what he was thinking.

“Ike is kind,” Jacob finally said. He hesitated, turned from the window to face her. “But is he truly the man for you?”

She looked down, afraid to answer him lest he see the truth of her feelings for him in her eyes. Her attention focused on his injured hand. The burned area was healed but still red. “Your burn looks better.” She had the strong urge to gently take hold of his hand, smooth her finger over the scar. When Jacob didn't answer, Annie looked up and found him studying her curiously. His intense gaze gave her goose bumps. “Do I have a mark on my nose?” she asked.

His lips twitched.
“Nay.”
His gaze caressed her face. “You didn't answer my question about Ike.”

She raised her chin. “And I'm not going to.”

He sighed and glanced out the window. “I should go. Eli is waiting for me.” He faced her. “Annie, I want you to know that I am happy for you. I wish you and Ike all the best,” he said.

Nay
, she cried silently.
I don't want Ike. I want you!
Her sister had said,
Why don't you tell him?
Barbara was right. What did she have to lose?

“Jacob!” He was at the door when she called out. He stopped and turned, his expression closed off. She shook her head, afraid to continue. There were others around; this wasn't the time or place. “I will call you when dessert is ready.”

His brow cleared, but his expression didn't soften. He continued outside to join his brother, and Annie watched him with tears in her eyes but made no attempt to stop him. She crossed through the house to the front porch. Her father was seated on a rocker, rubbing his sore leg.

“
Dat
,
what are you doing out here by yourself?”

He gestured for her to sit on the rocking chair next to his. “I needed to rest this leg.” He looked at the clear sky. “I still think it's going to rain.” He turned back to her, and Annie blushed. Could he tell she'd been crying? Would he ask why?

If he'd noticed, he didn't say as he gazed out over the barnyard. “Can I get you anything?”

“Nay.”
He sighed.

Jacob and Eli came into their line of vision as they walked to their buggy. Watching Jacob, Annie drew a sharp breath. She sensed when her father looked at her, and she smiled as she faced him. He didn't need to know that she'd foolishly fallen in love with Jacob Lapp.

She pretended indifference as Jacob stood near the family buggy while Eli reached into the back and pulled out a ball. Eli held it up and shouted. Suddenly, a group of children came barreling toward him from the side yard.

Eli laughed and ran while calling out to his twin. He tossed the ball to Jacob, and as he reached for it, Jacob fell. The children piled on top of him. Annie gasped, but her father only chuckled. Soon, children were tossed this way and that as Jacob rose with ball still clutched under his arm.

There were shouts of glee and laughter as the children chased Jacob around the yard. He shouted for his older brother Noah to join in. Soon, all the older Lapp siblings were involved in playing catch over the children's heads. Jacob caught the ball and pretended to drop it. When his youngest brother Joseph grabbed it, Jacob picked up the little boy and threatened to toss Joseph with the ball while he ran. The little boy's giggles were sweet to Annie's ears.

Annie smiled as she watched them. Seeing Jacob having fun with the children, hearing his laughter made her think of things she wanted but couldn't have. Jacob as her husband playing with their children, flashing her smiles of love and joy whenever he glanced toward her, which was often.

Disturbed by her thoughts, she concentrated on the good time before her. She laughed at some of Jacob's antics, gasped when a group of youngsters shoved him to the ground.

“They are having fun,” Joe said. “If it wasn't for this leg, I'd join them.”

Annie looked at him with surprise. “You would?”

Joe nodded.
“Ja.”
He paused as if choosing his words carefully, “Annie, Ike King—”