Love Inspired March 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Wife for Jacob\The Forest Ranger's Rescue\Alaskan Homecoming (6 page)

“I believe it will happen.” Rachel looked back to see the line of workers. “I'd better help out Josie.”

“You're a kind person, Rachel.” Annie smiled at the young woman with genuine warmth.

“So are you, Annie. You're a
gut
daughter and sister, and you're always willing to help anyone.”

As she watched Rachel join Josie on the other side of the room, Annie thought of her behavior toward Jacob. She caught sight of him with his brother Eli. The contrast of Jacob's dark hair and Eli's light locks struck her, making her think of their differences and similarities as they disappeared into the barn. They came out a few minutes later, Eli carrying tools, Jacob leading Nosey, one of her father's workhorses.

As if he sensed her regard, Jacob glanced in her direction. She started to lift a hand to wave, but the somber look in his expression stopped her.

* * *

The workers completed the fall harvest at their farm. Annie watched as her fellow church members packed up their belongings and left with their families. William Mast waved as he drove his shock wagon with its team of mules away from the fields, past the house.

His wife, Josie, exited behind her. “We finished wrapping the leftovers.”

“I'll help carry them out to your buggy,” Annie offered.

“
Nay
, you'll be keeping them.”

“But everyone will be at your farm next.” She straightened her head covering.

Josie smiled. “
Ja
, and everyone has been cooking and baking to prepare for tomorrow, as well.”

Annie nodded. It was true. She,
Mam
and Barbara
had made several cakes and pies for the week's harvesting, as well as potato salad, dried-corn casserole and sweet-and-vinegar green beans.

“We appreciate the help,” Annie said softly. She fondly regarded her father, who still sat in his wheelchair in the yard. All day he had refused to come inside to rest.

“How is he feeling?” Josie asked, her voice quiet.

Annie frowned. “He believes he is mending too slowly. He thinks he should be walking again.”

“He is rushing his recovery. It bothers him to see others do his work.”

“
Ja.
I wish I could help him.
Mam
has loving patience, but it has been difficult.
Dat
is a
gut
man, but this has been hard for him.”

Josie's touch on her arm comforted her. “Things will get better.”

Annie agreed. With God's help, everything was possible.

“We'll be heading home.
Ellen!
” Josie called into the house for her daughter.

Within seconds, Josie and William's twelve-year-old daughter, Ellen, exited the residence. “
Mam
, Miriam insisted we take this cake for
Dat
.”

Annie smiled. “It's William's favorite.”

Josie hesitated and then grinned. “If Miriam insists.” She called for her two sons, who had been playing ball with Abram Peachy's boys. “Will! Elam! Time to go!”

Annie watched with a smile as the Mast boys climbed into their family buggy, followed by their mother and sister. She waved as they left and followed the buggy's progress as it headed along the long dirt drive toward the main road.

Soon, other families followed suit, gathering their children before going home. It had been a wonderful day, Annie realized. She enjoyed her church community, the way everyone was there to help when someone needed it.

Annie entered the kitchen to find her mother and Katie Lapp seated at the table, sharing a pot of tea. Millie lay curled up in the corner.

“Annie,” Katie said with a smile, “will you join us?”

“Ja.”
Annie pulled out a chair. “Where is Barbara?” Her sister had been out of sight for most of the day.

Mam
poured her a cup of tea. “She's upstairs gathering the boys' clothes for washing.”

Annie rose to her feet. “I'll help her.”

Her mother placed a hand on her arm. “
Nay
, Annie. Sit. There is no hurry to do the wash. This is Barbara's doing.”

Annie felt concern. “
Mam
, what's bothering her? She's been quiet and doesn't talk with me like she used to.” Barbara had seemed distant ever since her return last week from their great-aunt's house in New Wilmington. Her sister and she had always been close, but something had changed. Annie knew she'd been spending a lot of time with her father. Did Barbara feel slighted?

“Your sister spent time with a boy in New Wilmington,”
Mam
said.

Annie widened her eyes. “She didn't tell me. She used to tell me everything.” She reached for the sugar bowl, moved it closer to her cup.

“She got her feelings hurt. David chose another girl to be his sweetheart, someone from his local church community.”

“I didn't know. Why didn't she tell me?” Annie repeated as she stirred a spoonful of sugar into her tea.

“Embarrassed maybe,” Katie suggested. “You're her older sister. She may have thought you'd think her foolish.”

“She didn't know the boy long,”
Mam
said.

“But long enough to lose her heart and have it broken,” Annie said with a new realization of why Barbara had been acting strangely. She would have to talk with her sister in private. Tell her that she understood how Barbara felt.

Barbara entered the room as she rearranged the garments she carried over one arm. “
Mam
, I found Peter's clothes on the bedroom floor. He's in the shower—” She looked up and stopped when she saw
Mam
, Katie Lapp and Annie seated at the table.

“Want a cup of tea?” Annie invited with a smile.

“The clothes—” Her sister appeared anxious.

“Put them in the washer, Barbara,”
Mam
said. “We can take care of them later.”

Barbara crossed toward the back room, where the propane freezer and washing machine were kept. Annie heard the clink of the lid lifted, and the thump seconds later after her sister had dropped it closed.

Annie smiled encouragingly at her sister as Barbara reentered the kitchen. She pulled out a chair for her and then rose to take another teacup from the cabinet. “Anyone want a cookie?” she asked.

“Not me,”
Mam
said.

“I'll have one,” Katie replied, and Barbara agreed that she'd have one, too.

“Where's
Dat
?” Barbara asked as she accepted the tea that Annie poured for her.

“He's still out in the yard.” Annie stood. “I should check on him.”

“No need,” a deep voice said, making Annie jerk.

She turned to see Jacob Lapp behind her father's wheelchair. Heart thumping hard, she focused on her father.
“Dat.”
Unable to help herself, she felt drawn to the younger man. “Jacob. I didn't hear you come in.”

“Joe.” Her mother rose and hurried to his side. “You must be tired.”

“I'm fine, Miriam.” Her father smiled and Annie was pleased to see him happy. “Jacob has asked me to help out in the shop next week.”

Annie frowned. “Are you sure that's a
gut
idea?”

“I told him only for an hour.” Jacob held her glance briefly before he looked away. Annie felt a sniggle of disappointment.

Mam
examined
Dat's
face and nodded. “That would be
gut
.” Annie saw her smile gratefully at Jacob.

Josiah entered the kitchen. “I've brought in the mail.” He flipped through the envelopes and then frowned as he drew out one in particular. He handed it to
Dat
. “From the hospital.”

Annie watched her father as he opened the envelope. He turned pale as he read the bill. She saw how he fought to compose himself as he refolded the paper and stuffed it back in.

“Joe,” Katie said as she stood with her teacup in hand, “whatever it is, you know our church community will pay the expense.”

“This is too much, even for our community,”
Dat
said wearily.

“Then we'll hold fund-raisers. As many as it will take to pay your bill.” Katie took her cup to the sink and washed it.

Samuel, Jacob's father and Jacob's twin brother, Eli, entered the kitchen. “What's wrong?” his
dat
asked as if sensing the tension in the room.

“Joe received his hospital bill in today's mail,” Katie said as she returned to her seat, and Annie saw her flash a concerned glance toward
Mam
.

Samuel placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. “Don't
ya
worry, Joe. We'll find a way. The burden isn't yours alone.”

Joe nodded but remained silent. Annie saw the look on her father's face; any happiness he'd had at joining Jacob in the shop next week had disappeared under the weight of debt.

“Don't worry, Joe. We're all here for you,” Jacob said, and Annie looked at him with gratitude. When he favored her with a warm smile, she felt her stomach flip-flop.

Annie looked away, her heart racing as the Lapps got ready to leave a few minutes later. They would gather at the Masts the next day and then move on to Abram Peachy's place after bringing in the harvest there.

It would be a busy week, but she would be seeing Jacob every day. She felt a wash of pleasure that turned to fear as she recognized a subtle shift in her feelings toward him.

Jacob stood by the buggy, grabbed hold to lift himself in. But then he paused to glance in her direction, and she experienced the startling impact of his golden regard. Heart hammering hard, she raised a hand to wave. She inhaled sharply when he grinned, touched the edge of his hat brim as he acknowledged her with a dip of his head.

“Tomorrow,” he mouthed.

Her spine tingled as she moved her lips, “Tomorrow.”

Chapter Six

A
nnie's
Dat
was sleeping late; yesterday's church service and this past week's busy harvest had tired him.
Mam
thought he would easily stay abed until nine o'clock, a late hour for someone who usually got up at five in the morning before his accident.
Mam
and Barbara were busy at
Grossmudder's
house, leaving Annie at home in the kitchen, baking fresh cinnamon rolls. Peter had gone to the Masts to help William paint the rear side of his barn. Josiah, having finished his morning chores, had gone to visit his sweetheart Nancy King.

Annie felt a sense of purpose. She hurriedly filled a thermos with coffee and placed two warm cinnamon rolls on a plate. With peace offerings in hand, she headed out to the shop to talk with Jacob, a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach as she approached. She heard the ring of steel against steel as she neared the shop door. Annie paused at the threshold to observe Jacob work.

With royal blue shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms and a leather blacksmith's apron tied about his neck and his waist, Jacob held the piece of metal within the tongs, examining it from every direction. Annie didn't think he noticed her as he fired up a propane blowtorch, held it against the piece of iron, before turning off the torch and then transferring the glowing metal back onto the anvil. He raised his hammer and banged the iron into shape. Suddenly, as if he sensed her presence, he looked up and without a smile set down the metal, tongs and hammer. He stepped away from the anvil and gave a polite nod.

“Annie.” He had taken off his hat and hung it on a wall peg, and his dark hair looked a bit mussed as if he'd run his fingers through it.

She offered him a tentative smile, raised the thermos and plate. “I brought you coffee and cinnamon rolls.” She held her breath, expecting him to refuse her offering.

A gleam entered his golden eyes. “Homemade?”

She gave him a genuine smile. “Is there any other kind?” She approached and handed him the plate. “May I pour your coffee?”

Watching her carefully, he inclined his head. “I didn't expect this.”

“I know I haven't been in to talk with you,” she began as she unscrewed the cap and filled his cup. She kept her eyes on the steam wafting from the hot brew as she extended it toward him.

“You came to talk?” he asked as he accepted the drink. “About what?” He appeared interested as he sipped the coffee.

Annie looked away in a sudden rush of uncertainty. Then she forced herself to look straight into his eyes. “I owe you an apology,” she began confidently. “You were nothing but kind to me after
Dat
had his accident, and I was rude and ungrateful—” She felt the heat rise in her cheeks but met his glance head-on. “I'm sorry. I am very grateful for what you did for
Dat
. We all are. The Lord can't be happy with me.”

He didn't laugh, didn't smile. He considered her as if he were searching the depths of her soul, and she shifted uneasily. “No apology needed,” he finally said. He drank from his cup again.

“
Ja
, there is,” she said. She wanted them to be friends like they were when they were children.

Jacob picked up a frosted cinnamon roll and viewed it from every angle. “This would be a
gut
apology if I needed one,” he said before he took a bite. She watched him chew and swallow with great enjoyment. “Fortunately, I don't need one.”

Annie watched him with confusion. She was surprised that he had brushed off her rudeness. She felt the tension within her ease, wondered why she was relieved and why making friends with Jacob should matter to her so much.

He took another drink. “How did you know how I like my coffee?”

She felt the focus of his golden eyes on her. “I saw you make it for yourself one day.”

He looked surprised but pleased. “Do you want a cinnamon roll?”

She shook her head. “
Nay
, I brought them for you.”

“I'm happy to share,” he said with a smile, and Annie felt her heart beat rapidly. He extended the bun but she shook her head. “Will your
vadder
be coming in today?”

“Ja,”
she said. “He slept late this morning. He will be over later. It was nice of you to ask him to come. But it won't be easy having him here when you're trying to get work done.”

“Has he been underfoot in the house?” Jacob jumped up to sit on the top of the worktable.

His easy movements drew Annie's attention to his muscled arms and long legs. “
Nay.
Dat
has no wish to interfere with our housework. But the shop—that is his place. He is bound to give advice—some of it unwanted.”

“That's where you're wrong, Annie. I learned a lot from your
vadder
. I spent hours taking his advice. It will be a pleasure to have him here.”

“And he will love being here again. His heart has always been with forging metal, more so than with farmwork.”

Jacob nodded. “He has your brothers to handle the farm for him. It is a
gut
arrangement.”

Silence reigned for several seconds, and Annie began to feel self-conscious.

“You know Jed and Sarah are happy together,” he said suddenly, the non sequitur startling her.

“Ja.”
She blinked, felt her face burn. “Their marriage is God ordained.”

“You believe that?” He eyed her skeptically over his cinnamon roll.

“
Ja
,
I do.” She examined him without embarrassment. “Why do you doubt it?”

“You were Jed's sweetheart.”

“For a short time,” she said, feeling a little pang at the memory, “but it wasn't meant to be.”

Jacob sipped from his coffee and set the cup down on the table beside him. “Last Monday, during the harvest, I saw you watching him. It brought you tears.”

Annie reached up to finger the string on her prayer
kapp
. “I know I shouldn't, but I was wishing I had someone, too, that I could be as happy as Jed and Sarah, and Noah and Rachel.” She bit her lip. “I hope to marry...” she trailed off. She had no business telling him about her plan to marry an older church member, to have a happy marriage like Charlotte had with Abram Peachy.

“You hope to marry whom?” he prompted softly.

Embarrassed, she looked down at her shoes. “I've decided it would be best for me to marry someone older within our church district. Someone like Abram Peachy.”

“Abram is married to Charlotte.”

She gave him a look. “I know. I merely want to have a family like Charlotte does.”
To have someone accept me for who I am, to look at me with quiet love and contentment.

“And you believe that you will find happiness by wedding an older man?” His voice was soft.

Annie nodded. She would care for her husband, enjoy a safe kind of peaceful affection. She would know that with him, she'd never have to worry about a broken heart. And as time went on, her fondness for him would grow into a deep, abiding love. She was silent as her mind raced with images of her future.

“Annie.” Jacob's deep voice drew her from her thoughts. “Is something wrong?”

She shook her head, feeling foolish. “
Nay.
I am fine.” She felt suddenly uncomfortable for all she'd revealed to him. “I should go back to the
haus
. I have work to do.” She gave him a slight smile. “
Dat
will be out after breakfast.” She turned to leave.

“Annie—”

She stopped and spun around.

“Your
dat
,
he is all right?”

She was pleased by his concern. Her discomfort eased. “He is worried about his medical expenses.”

“We will raise the money.” Jacob set down the plate and pushed off the worktable.

“I know, but it worries him still. He feels that he made a grave error in trying to fix the roof.”

“We all make mistakes. He was doing a
gut
thing—that is never a mistake.”

“
Danki
, Jacob,” she said. He raised an eyebrow in question. “For helping
Dat
,” she added. She turned to leave.

“Annie,” he called. She paused and faced him. “I sincerely doubt the Lord is angry or upset with you.”

She blushed. She didn't know what to say. So she remained silent as she hurried to escape his intense regard and startling words.

* * *

The women of the community met on Wednesday to plan a fund-raiser dinner for Horseshoe Joe. Annie, her sister Barbara, and
Mam
sat in Katie Lapp's gathering room, listening to the others talk.

“We can do a breakfast or supper,” Alta Hershberger said. Alta was Annie's aunt, whose late husband had been
Mam's
brother. The woman was kind but a bit of a busybody. She had two daughters, Mary and Sally, and it was Alta's deepest wish to see each of her girls settled with a husband and family.

“Supper would be best, I think.” Mae King jotted down some notes on a small pad. “Fried chicken? What else?”

“The English love chicken and dumplings. We could make that.” Josie Mast sat in the chair next to Annie's. She raised her cup of tea to her lips, took a sip.

“We should keep it simple, but we do need to consider who will come and what the English like to eat,” Katie said as she entered the room with two plates of cookies. “Rachel made these,” she murmured as she extended the plate to Annie and her mother.

Annie and Rachel exchanged looks across the room. Rachel winked and gifted her with a smile.

“Do you think dinner is the best way to go? We can serve breakfast with muffins and pancakes, waffles, eggs and toast.” It was Charlotte Peachy who spoke up.

“It would be easier, I suppose,”
Mam
said.

“I think we should do a supper first, then later do a breakfast,” Nancy King said as she rose to grab a small plate on which she put three of Rachel's homemade cookies.

There were fifteen women in the room. They had a brief discussion on the merits of hosting a supper versus a breakfast. Annie watched the women with a small smile. Nancy King caught her eye, and her lips curved up in shared amusement.

The women's conversation stopped abruptly when Samuel and his twin sons entered the room. The silence seemed deafening to Annie.

Samuel looked at his wife. “A meeting?”

Katie nodded. “To discuss the fund-raiser for Horseshoe Joe.”

Samuel appeared pleased. “A supper?”

Annie was conscious of Jacob and Eli, standing behind their father. To her dismay, Annie found her interest taken up mostly with the dark-haired twin with the stunning golden eyes. “Supper or breakfast—we're trying to decide.”

“Why not do a supper first?” Samuel suggested. “Hold it on a Friday evening? The English enjoy eating out on Friday nights.”

Jacob stepped forward, and Annie got a good view of his handsome face. He towered over his father by five inches. Eli was as tall as Jacob, but there the similarity in their appearances ended. “Jacob. Eli,” Annie dared to speak up. “What do you think we should do—a supper or a breakfast?” She felt a flush of warmth as Jacob studied her as he mulled it over. When he didn't answer immediately, she turned quickly to focus on his fraternal twin, but Eli was busy discussing the merits of whether or not to host a supper with her sister Barbara.

After much discussion, the community women decided to hold a chicken supper the following week on a Friday night. Samuel and his sons left, and Annie was able to relax and plan the dishes her family would contribute.

Soon,
Mam
and Barbara were ready to leave. Annie stood and finished a conversation with Rachel and her sister-in-law Sarah. “We'll bring the desserts,” Sarah said and Rachel agreed. “Sarah loves to bake, and she's good at it.”

Annie nodded. “So are you,” she said. She smiled at Sarah. “I've had a piece of your chocolate cream pie,” she admitted. She no longer felt awkward in Sarah's company. She had told Jacob the truth; she had come to accept Jed and Sarah's marriage. Seeing them together no longer upset her.

As she left the house, Annie saw Abram Peachy helping his wife into their family buggy. “They are happy together—Charlotte and Abram.”

“Ja,”
Rachel said from beside her. “I've never seen Charlotte happier, and she loves the children. Little Ruthie took to her from the start. It's hard to believe how much Ruthie has grown. She's nearly six.”

“There she is with her brother Nate,” Annie observed.

They stood silently for a moment, then Noah came out of the barn with Jacob.

“Time for home.” Rachel smiled at her husband as he approached.

Annie saw the way Noah looked at Rachel and the warmth in his wife's expression as she regarded him with affection. They were fortunate to have found each other.

She watched as families departed, enjoying the view, feeling a bit wistful that she had no husband or children to share her life. Suddenly, she realized that she was no longer alone. Jacob stood behind and within a few feet of her. She glanced over her shoulder, then turned to face him. “Jacob.”

“Annie.” His lips curved upward. “Why are you standing out here all alone?

Because I have no one to call my own
,
she thought. “I'm enjoying the view.”

He shook his head as if he were disappointed. “Come into the
haus
. Your
mudder
and sister are still inside.”

Silently, she followed him in.
“
Mam
, are we staying for a while?” Annie asked, conscious of Jacob next to her.

“
Nay
, 'tis time to leave.”
Mam
stood. “We have much to do for this fund-raiser. Katie,
danki
for everything.”

Jacob's mother nodded. “'Tis my pleasure, Miriam. I will talk with you later to finalize the fund-raiser menu.”