The Healing (32 page)

“Okay. Okay.” Samuel pulled up to the hitching rail, climbed out of his buggy, and secured his horse. “Be good now, Socks,” he said, patting the horse’s flanks. “I won’t be gone long.”

Samuel sprinted across the lawn and stopped in front the blanket where Esther sat. “Sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but I came to get Marla’s sneakers. She told me this morning that she forgot to bring ‘em home when I picked the kinner up last night.”

Esther nodded. “They played in the sprinkler yesterday, and their shoes got wet, so we set them on the back porch to dry. I spotted the sneakers this morning and realized that Marla was the only one who didn’t take hers home.”

Samuel grunted. “That’s because she’s become so
vergesslich
lately.”

“She’s not the only one who’s forgetful,” Esther said. “I got so relaxed sitting here in the sun that I forgot about the rest of the produce I’d planned to pick in the garden today.” She glanced over at Allen, who appeared to be asleep. “I think this warm weather made him drowsy, too.”

Samuel was tempted to ask why Allen was in the hammock and not working today, but he figured it was none of his business—although he was quite curious.

Esther rose to her feet. “I’ll get Marla’s shoes now. Would you like me to bring you a glass of lemonade or some iced tea?”

Samuel shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I should get back to the house. The kinner are over at the Zooks’, playing with their youngest kinner, so I’m going to use this time by myself to get the laundry and a few other things done.”

She nodded with a look of understanding. “I’ll be right back.”

When Esther went to the house, Samuel seated himself on the blanket where she’d been sitting. He’d only been there a few minutes when Allen’s eyes snapped open. As he swung his legs over the hammock and sat up, he looked at Samuel and blinked. “Wh–where’s Esther, and how long have you been here?”

“Esther’s in the house, getting Marla’s sneakers, and I got here a few minutes ago. I’m surprised you didn’t hear my horse and buggy pull in,” Samuel said. “For that matter, with Esther and me standing just a few feet from the hammock, I’m surprised you didn’t wake up sooner.”

Allen yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “Guess I was more tired than I thought, ‘cause I never heard a thing.”

“How’s the pain in your back?” Samuel asked, instead of posing the question uppermost on his mind.

“Much better. In fact, I’m feeling so good that I picked some beans from Bonnie’s garden. Esther’s had a heavy load since Bonnie went to Oregon to take care of her dad, and I figured she could use a little extra help.”

“Oh, I see.” Samuel leaned back on his elbows and studied Allen. He was a successful businessman, nice looking, and seemed to be real smart about a lot of things. He was sure Allen could have any woman he wanted. The question was—did he want Esther?

“How come you’re looking at me so strangely?” Allen asked. “Have I got dirt on my face or something?”

Samuel’s face heated. “There’s no dirt on your face, but I do have a question I’d like to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“Are you interested in Esther?”

Allen tipped his head. “Interested in what way?”

Samuel scrubbed his hand down the side of his face. “Are you planning to court her?”

Allen’s jaw dropped, and he nearly jumped out of the hammock. “Now what made you ask something like that?”

“Well, you’re always saying what a good cook she is, and you’ve mentioned a few times that she’d make a good wife. So I figured …”

Allen grinned and thumped Samuel’s back. “A good wife for you, my friend, not for me. It doesn’t take a genius to see that you care for her. Every time I’ve seen the two of you together, it’s written all over your face.”

Samuel sat, dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe how wrong he’d been. But even if Allen was out of the picture, there was still Ethan Zook to be concerned about. Samuel had noticed Ethan hanging around Esther after their last church service, and he’d seen Ethan talking to Esther several other times, too. Samuel was afraid if he didn’t move fast he might lose Esther. But if he moved too fast, he might scare her away. Besides, what would his family back home think about him choosing another wife so soon? It hadn’t even been a year since Elsie died.

“So what do you have to say?” Allen thumped Samuel’s back again. “Are you in love with Esther or not?”

“I—I do care for her,” Samuel admitted, “but I’m afraid it might be too soon for me to make a commitment to another woman. Besides, I don’t know if Esther has feelings for me.”

“Well, if the look I’ve seen on her face whenever you’re around is any indication, then I’d say she definitely has feelings for you.”

“You really think so?”

“If I was a betting man, I’d place a large bet on it. And if I was you, I’d take action soon, because any woman as sweet, pretty, and capable as Esther is bound to turn some fellow’s head, and I think that fellow ought to be you.”

Samuel pondered that a few seconds, then nodded. “I’ll give it some serious thought.”

Allen grinned. “Glad to hear it. Well, I have a couple of jobs I need to bid, so I’d better head out. Do think about what I said.” He thumped Samuel’s back one more time and headed for his truck.

As Allen’s rig pulled out, Samuel glanced up at the house, wondering what was taking Esther so long. Just at that moment, she stepped out the door and headed his way, carrying Marla’s shoes.

“I’m sorry for taking so long,” Esther said, “but I got a phone call from someone wanting to make a reservation at the B&B, and it took awhile to discuss the details.”

“No problem. I was visiting with Allen.”

She glanced at the spot where Allen’s truck had been parked. “I see that he’s gone.”

“Jah. Said he had some jobs to bid.”

“That’s right. He mentioned it earlier, before he took his nap.” Esther handed Marla’s shoes to Samuel. “Guess I’d better get back to work in the garden, or it’ll never get done.” She smiled. “I’ll see you and the kinner at church tomorrow.”

Feeling as if he had a wad of sticky chewing gum in his mouth, all Samuel could do was nod. He wanted to ask if Esther would join him and the kids for supper this evening, but the words seemed to be stuck in his mouth.

Esther started walking toward the garden, and he moved in the direction of his horse and buggy. Maybe some other time would be better to ask Esther out.

Samuel had just untied his horse from the hitching rail, when Bonnie’s dog darted out of the barn, barking and nipping at the horse’s heels. Socks whinnied and kicked up his back feet, just missing the terrier’s head. Not to be dissuaded, Cody kept barking and nipping at Socks’s tail. Samuel tried to calm the horse, but the more the dog carried on, the more agitated Socks became.

“Cody, come here!” Esther clapped her hands as she raced across the yard. She was almost to the buggy, when Samuel’s horse whipped his head around and knocked her to the ground.

Samuel gasped and raced to Esther’s side.

I
’m fine, Samuel,” Esther said after Samuel had carried her into the house and placed her gently on the sofa.

“Are you sure?” The deep wrinkles in Samuel’s forehead let Esther know he was truly concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine. Nothing’s broken, and the only thing hurt was my pride when I ended up face-down in the dirt.”

He knelt on the floor beside her, and as he pushed a wayward piece of her hair back under the black scarf she wore as a head covering, a pained expression crossed his face. “It scared me real bad when my horse knocked you down. You should have stayed back, Esther. With those crazy animals carrying on like that, you could have been seriously hurt.”

Esther was surprised at Samuel’s concern and tenderness toward her. Was she imagining it, or was it possible that he cared about her in the same way as she did him? Oh, how she wished it were true. She’d give anything if …

“Esther, I—” Samuel looked away, as though unable to make eye contact with her.

“What is it, Samuel? What were you going to say?”

He lifted his gaze and said in a near whisper, “I’ve been thinking that it might be time for me to start courting again.”

“You—you have?” Esther’s heart hammered in her chest, and her mouth went dry as she waited for his answer.

“Jah, and I … uh … am planning to take the kinner out to supper in Hopkinsville this evening, and … well, I was wondering if you’d like to go along.”

Esther smiled. Even though having the children with them certainly wouldn’t be considered a real date, Samuel had asked her to go with them, and she was grateful for that.
He must not have feelings for Bonnie, after all. It really was my silly imagination
.

“I’d be happy to go out to supper with you this evening,” she murmured, fighting back tears of joy.

He grinned. “That’s good. Jah, that’s a very good thing. I think the kinner will be happy about this ‘cause they really do like you, Esther.”

“I like them, too.”
And you as well
, Esther silently added.
In fact, I’m sure I’m in love with you
. Esther knew that Samuel probably wasn’t ready to make such a confession yet, but maybe in time he would come to love her, too.

They sat for several seconds, looking at each other and smiling, until loud barking, followed by a shrill—
Yipe! Yipe!—
pulled their gazes apart.

Samuel leaped to his feet and raced out the door.

Esther clambered off the sofa and quickly followed him across the yard, where Cody lay on the ground near Socks, whining.

“Ach! Looks like the dog’s been hurt!” Samuel knelt beside Cody and did a quick examination. “I’m almost sure the poor critter has a broken leg. I’m guessin’ Socks must have kicked him pretty hard.” He grimaced. “Guess I’d better forget about doing any laundry today and call for a driver, ‘cause I think we’d better take this poor little dog to the vet’s.”

Elkton, Kentucky

When Esther and Samuel entered the vet’s office, she was surprised to see Suzanne sitting in the waiting room. “What are you doing here?” she and Suzanne both asked at the same time.

“I brought Samson in to have him neutered yesterday, and I’m here to pick him up.” Suzanne looked at Samuel, who was holding Cody. “Isn’t that Bonnie’s little terrier?”

He gave a nod. “He was nipping at my horse and ended up getting kicked. I’m pretty sure his leg is broken.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.” Suzanne looked at Esther. “Does Bonnie know about this?”

Esther shook her head. “I’ll call her once I know something definite.”

Samuel walked up to the receptionist’s desk, and after she told him to bring the dog back to the examining room, he turned to Esther and said, “Why don’t you wait here and visit with Suzanne while I take Cody in?”

“Okay.” Esther was thankful Samuel was willing to do that, because she didn’t relish the idea of watching while the doctor examined Cody. It hurt her to see anyone in pain—even an animal.

Suzanne motioned to the chair beside her. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

Once Esther was seated, she told Suzanne how she’d been knocked to the ground by Samuel’s horse and how Samuel had carried her into the house. “He had such a look of concern on his face,” she said. “He even invited me to join him and his kinner for supper in Hopkinsville this evening.”

“I knew it!” Suzanne’s face broke into a wide smile. “And I’ll have to say this—it’s about time.”

“You knew Samuel was going to invite me to join them for supper?”

“No, but I knew he’d get around to inviting you somewhere soon.”

“How’d you know that?”

“I’ve seen the way Samuel looks at you whenever he thinks you’re not looking. He’s come to care for you, Esther. I’m sure of it.” Suzanne squeezed Esther’s hand. “I think the two of you are perfect for each other, and I believe Samuel realizes that, too.”

“I hope you’re right,” Esther said, “but I guess I won’t really know unless he asks me to go someplace with him again.” It was strange, but she’d never seen Samuel look at her in a special way. Usually when he was around, he looked the other way. But he had invited her out and seemed real happy about it, so maybe he did have strong feelings for her.

“Why wait for Samuel to ask you to go someplace else? Why don’t you invite Samuel and the kinner over to the B&B for supper sometime soon?”

“I had them over not long ago when it rained and we couldn’t go on a picnic, but if I ask them again, Samuel might think I’m being pushy, and I sure don’t want that.”

“I doubt that he would think that. Besides, what man in his right mind would turn down one of your delicious meals?”

“So you think I should try to win Samuel’s heart with my cooking?”

“I think you’ve already won his heart.” Suzanne chuckled. “But a little taste of your cooking from time to time wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Do you think Samuel’s really ready to start courting again?” Esther asked, needing some reassurance. “I mean, do you think his heart has healed enough after losing his wife that he might actually consider marriage again?”

“I believe it has, but from what I know of Samuel, I don’t think he’ll rush into anything.”