The room in Rhoades Construction was filled to capacity. The company had grown over the past few years. His brother Jedidiah had started working with them first after Matt Rhoades, his former foreman, had formed his own company. Daniel and his brother Isaac had come to work for Matt next. At one time or another, all of his older brothers had worked for the company, even if for just a few days here and there. Joseph would join them eventually, he figured. His youngest brother would be looking for work to earn some extra cash. He would continue to work on the farm since he was the youngest son who would inherit the property.
Daniel sat in the third row of chairs in the room, waiting for Matt Rhoades and other construction managers to speak. He didn’t particularly like working construction, but he reminded himself that it wasn’t a bad way to earn money for the business he wanted to open. He needed to work as many hours as he could to raise the money in record time. Except now that Jess Morgan had joined his Amish community, he wondered how he could work as often and as much as he wanted. He had to keep his eye on her. No one else seemed to see the danger in her presence. Leah trusted her, but he didn’t. If he kept his eye on her, he’d be able to discover the truth about her.
“We have several jobs in the works,” Matt Rhoades told the group of men. “Fred is going to give you your assignments. Fred?”
Fred Barnett stepped front and center. “We have several places we need workers today. I’ll call out the job and the names of the men we’d like on the project. Daniel Lapp. You’ll be at the new house we’ll be building just off Old Philadelphia Pike.”
Daniel nodded, waiting as others were called, the crew who would be working alongside him. He was pleased with the location of the job site as it was just a short distance to Yoder’s Country Crafts and General Store. He’d be able to stop in and buy a soda—and check up on Emma while he was there.
He climbed into an SUV with the rest of the crew. When they got to the job site, Daniel saw the first order of business was to lay block. Someone had already dug footers and poured in concrete. Cement blocks were on pallets close to what would soon become the foundation of the building.
He went to work with the others. It was tedious work, but it wasn’t bad. He worked in the front near the road with an English man, Edward Wyatt.
“Time for lunch,” Edward said a short time later.
Daniel looked up with surprise. The morning had gone more quickly than he thought it would. Maybe because they’d been in the office for over an hour before leaving for the job site.
“I’m heading over to the store to get a soda,” he told his foreman.
“Want Billy to drive you?”
Daniel shook his head. “Nay, it isn’t far. I don’t mind walking.” He walked quickly. The day was warm with a light breeze to keep it from being hot. He hadn’t gone far when he caught sight of the store. He paused near the entrance before he opened the door. He heard the jingle of the cow bells on the door as he stepped inside.
There was a woman at the counter paying for her purchases. She was tall, and Daniel couldn’t see who was working the counter because of her size. He approached, expecting to see Emma, when he realized it was Leah who worked there instead.
“We appreciate your business,” he heard his cousin say as the woman grabbed her bags and left. “Have a nice day.”
Leah sighed, looking tired. Daniel suffered a flicker of anger. Why was Leah working the counter? Where was Emma? Had she skipped out? Leah glanced in his direction, and she smiled. “Daniel, what brings you here?”
“Leah, I have everything you need from the house,” a feminine voice said as Daniel caught sight of Emma entering from the back room. She froze when she saw him. “What are you doing here?”
“Buying a soda.”
She narrowed her gaze as if she didn’t believe him.
“Emma, will you get Daniel his soda? I’m going in the back to sit for a few minutes.”
Daniel saw Emma’s features soften. “Ja. I’ll be happy to. You go and rest. Would you feel better if you lie down up at the house?”
“Nay.” Leah smiled. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just make a cup of tea and take a few moments of quiet time.” She grabbed a cup and poured water from the teakettle she must have heated up just minutes earlier.
“Leah, go and sit. I’ll bring you your tea.” She shot him a look as if daring to object.
He watched with amusement as she helped Leah into the back before she returned to make her tea. Only after she fixed it—as if she knew Leah’s preference—and took it back to her did she meet his gaze squarely.
She stared at him hard. “What kind of soda?”
“Cola.”
“Brand?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
She reached into the refrigerated case for a cold can. “Anything else?”
He shook his head. “That’s all.”
“One dollar.”
He handed her a dollar bill. She rang up the sale. “Want a paper bag?”
He shook his head, then popped open the can and took a long drink.
“Did you really come here for a soda or to check up on me?”
He studied her, noting her high color. And how her blue dress made her eyes look a different shade of brown. “Both,” he admitted. Then he took his soda and headed toward the door. “I’ll be back for you at four thirty,” he said. He heard her growl of frustration and smiled as he left.
Chapter Six
Her heart thumped hard as Emma watched Daniel leave the store. He had come to check up on her. The fact that he’d admitted it should have made her angry, but it didn’t. How could she be angry when she would have felt the same way if their situations were reversed?
Emma fought back tears and raised her chin, determined to make the best of things. She was only here in Happiness a short time. She went to check on Leah and saw her relaxing in a chair, enjoying her cup of tea. “Leah?” she ventured without getting too close. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
The woman rose from her chair. “I’m sorry. I’ve sat here long enough.”
“Nay, you stay. It’s quiet out front. Enjoy it while you can.”
She spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the store. She swept the floor, wiped the counters and dusted the shelves. She even cleaned the glass on the cold case. Emma ate a quick lunch at one thirty, then went back to work. Leah had come out front for a while and at Emma’s encouragement, the mother-to-be went up to the house to rest in her own bed. Henry entered the store a few minutes later.
“Everything oll recht?”
Emma nodded. “Not many customers today.”
“I’m sure you can handle anyone who comes in. I’ll be in my workshop across from the house if you need me.”
“Will you be back before I leave?”
He nodded. “Ja, I’ll be back.
She learned today that her hours would be nine until three each day. She wondered how much money she’d be able to save working part time, especially after she paid Leah for her garments. She didn’t mind the shorter hours. It would give her a chance to help Missy in the house more. Daniel wouldn’t be able to accommodate her work hours. She’d have to find another way to get to the store.
Daniel returned at four fifteen. Emma saw him immediately as he entered through the front door. Her pulse raced as he approached. “Are you ready to go?” he asked pleasantly.
“I’ll let Henry know that I’m leaving.”
As she was headed toward the back door, she encountered Henry. “Daniel is here.”
“Have a nice night.” He smiled. “You did gut work here today.”
Emma felt a rush of warmth and satisfaction. “Danki.”
Henry and Daniel chatted while Emma grabbed her sweater. “I’m ready when you are,” she said to Daniel.
He inclined his head. “See yo
u later, Henry.” Daniel followed her out of the store. She quickly climbed into his buggy without help and waited for him to settle in next to her. He didn’t say a word as he picked up the horse’s reins and with a flick of the leathers steered his buggy onto the road.
As the silence between them lengthened, Emma felt a familiar tightening in her chest. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. When she felt no relief, she sighed and gazed out the side window. Her arms ached, and she rubbed them. Fortunately, she wore long sleeves so no one would see the lingering bruises aggravated by the day’s work.
“Are you cold?” Daniel murmured.
“Nay.” She settled her hands in her lap and stared out the front buggy window.
“Did you have a nice day?” he asked.
“Ja. It was enlightening, especially when you came to buy a soda.”
He sighed loudly. “I didn’t come to spy on you, Emma. I needed something to drink.” He shot her a glance. “Does that make you feel better?”
“Maybe.” She bit her lip. “I know you don’t trust me.”
“I don’t know you,” he said. “I can’t help but feel concern for my family.
Emma studied Daniel’s profile, noting the strong lines of his face. He was a good-looking man. “Henry was very pleased with my work today.”
“Ja, he told me.”
“Does that make you feel any better?”
He shrugged.
“You want to believe the worst of me,” she accused.
Daniel pulled onto a packed dirt-and-gravel driveway. He parked his vehicle. “Nay, I’m just cautious.”
“What does that mean?” She frowned. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
He jumped down and was on her side of the buggy before she had a chance to get out. His lips twitched with amusement as he extended his hand toward her. Emma eyed his long, masculine fingers as she reached her arms out. He lifted her out of the carriage and set her on her feet. She was conscious of his strength, the warmth of his hand on hers before he let go. The scent of outdoors that permeated him teased her senses.
Missy stood at the door and waved. “Daniel,” she called. “Have time for a snack?”
Daniel grinned at her. “Sounds wunderbor, endie, but I need to get home. Dat is waiting for me to help with one of his projects.”
“Don’t be a stranger, nephew. Stop in and stay for a while another day.” She opened the door as Emma headed toward the house. “Come for breakfast anytime.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said pleasantly. “I’ll be by to take you to work tomorrow,” Daniel called out to Emma. “Be ready early. I have to be at work by eight thirty.”
She stiffened, glanced his way, then nodded before she turned away. As she entered the house, Emma heard the carriage move as Daniel left.
Missy closed the screen door after Emma entered. “Are you up for tea and cookies? Or I have milk if you prefer.”
“Sounds delicious.” Emma wanted to ask Missy about her thoughts on walking to the store instead of having Daniel drive her, but on her first full day with the kind Amish couple, she wasn’t yet comfortable enough to approach the topic. She became aware of how quiet the house was. “Arlin not home?”
“He went over to his sister’s,” Missy said with amusement in her gaze, “to help Samuel with a project.”
The same project that Daniel would be helping with? “Where’s Jeremiah?”
The older woman smiled. “He’s in your room.”
Later on, Missy told Emma over tea and cookies that this Sunday was Visiting Day. “We’re hosting. I’ll be cooking on Saturday. We don’t cook or work on Sundays.”
“May I help?” Emma asked, well aware of what Visiting Day meant.
“As if I’d ever turn down help,” the woman said warmly. “I took out chicken to fry. Have you ever made fried chicken?”
“Nay,” Emma admitted. She had never been allowed to cook in her foster homes, and she’d been too young when she’d lived in their Amish community.
“It takes time, but it’s not hard.” She pulled a plate of chicken from the refrigerator. The chicken had been cut into pieces ready for frying. “Would you please grab the canister of flour from the pantry?”
Missy showed her how to coat the chicken with a mixture of egg, flour and cracker crumbs with dry seasonings.
“May I try?” Emma asked, and she followed her instructions.
“That looks fine,” the Amish woman praised. “Now we fry it.”
Missy had placed a large cast-iron skillet on the stove and filled it with vegetable oil. “These won’t take long. About fifteen minutes or so.”
“Won’t it splatter if we put the cold chicken into hot oil?”
Missy looked at her with approval. “Ja, if the oil gets too hot. We won’t let it get that way.” She struck a match and turned on the gas. The burner flamed to life.
Missy used metal tongs to pick up a piece of chicken and set it into the heating oil. The chicken sizzled but didn’t pop. She turned to Emma. “Would you like to try?”
Emma picked up a drumstick and placed it into the skillet.
“Go ahead and put in all of the chicken,” Missy encouraged.
“When do you go to church?” Emma asked conversationally as she placed each piece of chicken into the fry pan.
“We attend service every other Sunday. The Sundays in between are Visiting Days like the one this weekend.”
After she’d set the last piece of chicken into the frying pan, she looked to Missy for direction. The woman beamed at her. “Gut job. Now we watch carefully and turn the chicken a few times while it cooks to ensure the outside becomes a crispy golden brown.”
When the chicken was done, Missy gestured toward the oven. “Go ahead and put the skillet of chicken inside. It will help keep it warm until we’re ready to eat.”
“Okay.” She went to grab the skillet.
“The handle is hot, Emma.” She handed her two oven mitts. “Use these.”
Emma slipped on the oven mitts and reached for the skillet. She grabbed it using both hands, but the weight of it made her stagger. She breathed deeply as she placed it into the oven, then sighed with relief as she pulled off the oven mitts. She didn’t realize that she’d been rubbing her arms until she caught Missy watching her with a frown.
“Emma. Did you hurt your arms today?”
She shook her head. “Nay, I’m fine.”
“Let me see.”
Emma backed away. “I’m fine.”
“Emma.” Missy’s tone was sharp.
She pulled up a sleeve. She heard the woman’s sharp gasp.
“You’re bruised. How did it happen? I shouldn’t have asked you to pick up that skillet.”
Emma smiled. She couldn’t help herself. Missy fussed over her like she cared. Like a mother would fuss over her child.
“I’ll have to talk with Leah.”
“Nay, please. I’m fine.” She thought what to say and decided on the truth. “This didn’t happen at the store.”
Missy’s gaze grew sharp.
“It happened before I came here,” Emma admitted. “Please don’t tell anyone. I’m okay. I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I can work and pull my own weight. And the bruises don’t hurt much anymore.”
“I don’t like this.”
She placed a gentle hand on Missy’s shoulder. “Danki for caring. I’m truly fine. I need to work. You’ve all been gut to me. Please don’t let a few bruises make you see me differently.”
Missy’s expression softened. “I’ll not tell anyone if you take a bath later this evening and soak those bruises. And I may have something that will help. Will you let me help you?”
Emma nodded. “Ja.” She thought for a few seconds as she looked around the kitchen. “Mashed potatoes and peas,” s
he suggested. “You wanted to know what to have with the chicken.”
“Sounds gut.”
Later, after supper, Missy made Emma take a bath. She added Epsom salts into the warm water, then left her to soak. As Emma went to bed that night, she felt much better. It was a while before she relaxed enough to fall asleep.
When the sun rose the next morning, Emma was eager to start the day fresh. Then she remembered that Daniel was coming for her again, and she promised herself that she’d talk with him about another way to get to and from work. He might object, but he wasn’t the boss of her, and she’d be fine on her own.
Daniel had found her in the barn, helped her to find Leah and stepped in to assist her whenever she’d needed him. Unbidden came the knowledge that if she didn’t continue to accept rides with him, she wouldn’t see him every day. She drew a sharp breath. The realization bothered her far more than she’d ever expected.
Chapter Seven
Before dawn, Emma fed the animals, then went into the house to help Missy with laundry. With Missy’s help she stripped beds, gathered the dirty laundry and put everything into the machine to wash. An hour later she stood at the clothesline in the backyard and hung up the damp garments and linens to dry in the fresh air.
It was close to seven thirty when she finished with the laundry and went back inside. Daniel had promised to pick her up just after eight. He had to be at work at eight thirty, but fortunately his construction job site wasn’t far from the store. Unfortunately for her, she would be almost an hour early for work.
The distance to the store couldn’t be that far. She could walk. She wanted to walk. Emma knew that she would have to discuss it with him first, though. But she had to remind herself, he wasn’t in charge of her. If he didn’t agree, then she’d find a way to approach the topic with Arlin and Missy. They would no doubt find nothing wrong with her walking to work. She had to be careful that the police didn’t recognize her and send her back to Maryland. Dressed in Amish garments, she doubted they would see her as anything other than a member of the Amish community. It was a common sight to see Amish walking down the road either alone or with others.
Finding Her Amish Love Page 6