The loss of a parent was something one didn’t get over easily, but Leah should have healed far more than this by now. It had been a long time. Many, many years. Something was wrong with this whole situation. Jake really wanted to know what was tormenting her. To press the issue. But her pleading, bloodshot eyes kept him from probing further. He frowned, keeping his questions inside with a hard fist of control. “Can I pray with you?”
Leah nodded. “I’d like that.”
Jake gathered her hands in his and bowed his head. “Father, You know how much Leah misses her father. Comfort her as only You can. Wrap Your arms around her. Let her know that while she may no longer have her earthly father here with her, that, You, her Heavenly Father, will always be with her, that You never leave her nor forsake her. Help her to find comfort in those words for they’re Your words. And Father, this thing that is hurting Leah so deeply, touch that area and heal it as only You can. Surround her with Your love and Your grace. In Jesus’s name. Amen.” Jake raised his head and his gaze touched Leah’s.
“Thank you, Jake.” She sniffed, never removing her eyes from his. Instead they searched his, probing deeper and deeper. For what, he didn’t know, but he allowed her to keep prying until she found whatever it was she was searching for. Her blue eyes went from hurt to grateful then to... To what? He didn’t know. He only knew they held a soft warmth he’d never seen before.
Something in that moment changed in her. He wanted to ask what it was, but deep in his gut, he knew now was not the time. Now was the time for him to be still and let her have her way. Her hands remained buried in his, and he didn’t release them because something was going on between them. Something spiritual. As if their souls were connecting on a deeper level.
“Leah!” The desperation in Abby’s voice caused them both to blink.
Leah slipped her hands out of his, but her eyes kept meeting his until Abby arrived. “We’re over here!”
In his heart, he knew the connection that had begun hadn’t been severed, just put on hold.
“Finally. Where’d you go? I was so worried about you, Lee-Lee.” Abby threw her arms around Leah. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Abbs. Everything is fine.” Her gaze touched on his again and the connection was back. When the time was right, he’d find out just what had happened.
Abby looked at him, then at Leah. “Good. Now that I know you’re okay, I’m going back to the house and finish eating.” She glanced between them again and scuttled away.
Bless her heart.
One more glance into each other’s eyes, and they headed back to the house in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Their minds were intertwined with thoughts and words that had yet to be spoken.
* * *
Dear Mr. Darcy
Something happened in the forest today. My feelings for Jake have changed. I’m not sure just how, but during the whole time we were talking, when he prayed for me, and even afterward, something happened between us. I feel somehow closer to him. Which scares me. I don’t want to care about Jake in that way. It will ruin everything. All my plans. I have to go now. I need to pray about this. I will talk to you later, Mr. Darcy.
Leah shut her diary and locked it in her nightstand. She lay down with her hand above her head and closed her eyes, letting her heart say the prayer she didn’t have the words to utter.
* * *
When she woke up the next morning, she rushed through her toiletries and hurried into the kitchen. “Morning, Mother.” Leah kissed her cheek. “Morning, Abbs.”
“Good morning,” they both replied.
“What’s for breakfast? I’m starving.”
“Äggröra and bacon.”
“Scrambled eggs sound good.” Leah fixed her plate, grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.
Leah dived into her food. Not having eaten much last night, she was famished this morning.
“Leah, I hope you don’t mind, but there’s been a change of plans today.”
“What do you mean, Mother?”
“Well, Charles and I ran into the Barringtons at the hotel last night, and we invited them to sit with us. Mr. Barrington seems like a nice man. A bit too talkative for me, but he’s very informative and highly intelligent. And he is an extremely savvy businessman. Anyway, Charles invited them to a gathering he’s having at his home this evening.”
Leah noticed Mother didn’t bother to correct calling Mr. Barker by his first name this time. That meant she
really was serious. Leah sent up a quick prayer about moving away from there faster and for the strength she needed to be tolerant for her mother’s sake. “Oh? What kind of gathering?”
“Well, it’s more than a gathering, really. A friend of Charles is passing through Paradise Haven and is staying at Charles’s hotel. Mr. Martonella and his company have agreed to perform for Charles. Charles thought your friends might enjoy it, so he invited them along with several other prominent business acquaintances. Mr. Barrington said you had plans to meet for tea.” Mother reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a post, then handed it to Leah. “So he asked me to give this to you.”
Leah took the envelope and gazed at the waxed seal with the embossed letter B. She slid her thumb under the red circle and opened the letter.
My dearest Leah,
I hope you do not mind, but there has been a change in plans. Rather than tea this afternoon, Mr. Barker has been kind enough to invite us to his home this evening to attend an opera. I have taken the liberty of accepting his invitation on your behalf. Also, Elizabeth has requested that you ask your friend Mr. Lure to join us. If this is not agreeable to either one of you, please send a post straightaway to let us know.
With fond regards,
Fitzwilliam Barrington
Leah folded the letter. She’d never been to an opera before. What did one even wear to such a thing? She’d already worn the two new bustle gowns she’d made, and there was no time to make a third.
“Well, what do you think, dear?”
Leah looked over at her mother. “I’m not sure. I’ll talk to Jake and see what he thinks.”
“Why do you care what Jake thinks?” Abby joined in the conversation, although her question was pointed.
“Because, Abbs. He was invited, too.”
“So? What’s that got to do with you? Elizabeth invited him.”
Leah sighed. “I just meant I need to ask him if he wants to go. If not, then I need to send word to Elizabeth.”
“Oh.” Abby tossed the last bite of her toast with apple butter on it into her mouth. “If you say so.” A twinkle sparked through her eyes.
The comments Abby had made the night before about Leah and Jake flittered through her mind again. Abby was up to something where she and Jake were concerned.
Well, Leah wasn’t going to take the bait dangled in front of her. “Mother, I’ll go see if Jake wants to accept Elizabeth’s invitation. I’ll be right back.”
“Finish your breakfast first. Then go.” Mother pointed to her loaded plate.
Paying no attention to her manners, Leah downed her food in record time and placed her dishes in the sink.
“Tell Jake hi for me. And give him a kiss for me, too. Or better yet, make it from you.” Abby winked at her.
Leah sent Abby a warning look, glanced at her mother with a what-can-I-say shrug and made a dash for the door. When she stepped onto the porch, she heard her mother ask Abby, “What was that all about?”
Despite her wanting to know what Abby’s response was, Leah didn’t wait to hear it. She shuddered just thinking about what it would be.
Down at the barn, Leah searched for Jake, but he wasn’t there. She checked the corrals, the chicken coop and the hog barn, but she couldn’t find him at any of those places, either. She glanced over at Michael’s house, wondering if he went there. Leah rushed over and knocked lightly on the door.
Michael stepped into view holding one of the twins. “Morning, Leah. Come on in.”
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“Good morning, Michael.” She stepped inside and froze. By the fireplace stood Jake, holding the other twin. The baby looked tiny against Jake’s giant form. What an image he made. One that made her heart flip.
Jake looked over at her and smiled. “Morning.”
“Oh. Um. Good morning to you, too.” The words fumbled from her mouth. Embarrassed by her stammering, Leah looked around for her sister-in-law. “Where’s Selina?”
“Taking a nice, hot bath.”
“Oh.” Why had she come again? Her brain was no longer filling her in on such important details.
Michael raised his eyebrows with concern. “Did you need something?”
“What? Oh. Yes. I was looking for Jake, actually.”
“Well, looks like you found him.”
Leah took the baby from Michael. “How’s Auntie’s Joey doing?” she cooed and played with his chin until he smiled. She tore her attention from the baby. “When you get a minute, Jake, I need to talk to you.”
“We can talk now. I was just getting ready to leave.”
“You can’t leave yet,” Michael blurted.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because. Who’s going to help me with the twins? I can’t take care of them myself.” Her brother looked absolutely horrified.
Leah cleared her throat to stifle her laugh. “You don’t need any help, Michael. Every time I’ve been over here, you’ve done just fine with them.”
“Yes, but Selina wasn’t in the tub then. And you, Mother or Abby was here. I’ve never been alone with them before.”
“Well, it’s time you start.” She handed Joey back to him. “They won’t bite. I promise. Come on, Jake.”
Jake looked at her then at Michael, who looked as lost as a puppy in the woods.
“Come on, sis. Don’t leave me like this. Please.”
She couldn’t stand seeing the look of desperation on Michael’s face or indecision on Jake’s, so she quit toying with them. “Okay. Fine. You win. What I have to ask Jake can wait.”
She walked over to Jake. “May I?” She motioned toward Lottie. In a heartbeat, Jake handed her to Leah as if she were a hot coal.
Leah chuckled. Men. They wanted children but couldn’t handle them for more than five minutes.
Minutes ticked by. Leah changed both the baby’s diapers, put them in a pail inside the laundry room and went back into the living room. When her bustling was finished, Selina was already out and in the rocker with a baby in each arm. Her face glowed. “Mornin’.”
“Good morning to you, too. How are you feeling today?”
“Happier than a squirrel with a sack full of hickory nuts.”
Leah laughed. Her sister-in-law came up with the funniest sayings.
“Well, I’d better run along.” Jake moved to the door. “Still have a couple of things to do before heading home to get ready for this afternoon.”
Leah’s attention went from Selina to Jake.
“Whatcha doin’ this afternoon?” Selina set the rocking chair in motion.
“Going to some tea party.” Jake rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“You? Going to a tea party? This I’ve got to see.” Michael chortled.
“Can’t picture you at no tea party neither, Jake.”
“Yeah, well, somehow I got roped into one.”
“Well, you don’t have to go,” Leah interjected with just a touch of annoyance.
“There’s where you’re wrong.” He lowered his gaze at her, and it held no levity. “I do.”
“Why? Nobody’s making you go. If you don’t want to, don’t.”
“I have my reasons for going.” He took a quick glance at Michael and then back at her.
Leah frowned. What was that all about? “Well, the plans have changed, anyway.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Don’t look so relieved, Jake. If you didn’t like the idea of a tea party, you’re not going to like this one, either.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dread pitted into Jake. He couldn’t imagine anything worse than a tea party with a pious, arrogant man who was out to steal his best friend. “You can tell me on the way to the barn.”
They said their goodbyes and headed out the door and through the pine trees. Yak yak yak yak—the fast sound of a magpie greeted them along with an earthy scent of foliage and forest floor.
“So what’s this change of plans?” Jake glanced down at her as he kept walking.
A twig snapped under Leah’s foot. Her ankle twisted, and she lost her balance. Jake’s hand shot out and steadied her. “You okay?”
“Fine. Thanks.”
He gave a quick nod and a short frown.
“At breakfast this morning, Mother gave me a note from Fitzwilliam.” Hopefully the note said he was leaving town. A man could wish, anyway.
“Mr. Barker’s friend is in town with his opera company. They’re going to perform for a group of Mr. Barker’s friends and business acquaintances this evening. They invited the Barringtons and us to come.”
“Us?” Jake throat constricted. A group of people? In a crowded room? His heart raced and his palms started to sweat just thinking about it.
“Jake?” Leah’s hand rested on his arm. “You okay?”
He stopped and tried to force a smile on his face, to act like everything was fine, but it wasn’t. He struggled to breathe.
“Take a deep breath, Jake.” Her eyes locked on his, and he searched them for more direction.
“Come on, Jake. Take in a deep breath. You can do it,” she coaxed.
He continued to follow her instructions until his breathing returned to normal. Because of Leah, this time it hadn’t taken long.
“Thank you, Leah.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad you told me what happens to you. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known what was wrong or how to help you.”
He nodded, grateful that he had shared his embarrassing problem with her. This was the first time the panic attack lasted only a minute or so. They resumed walking toward the ranch yard.
“I’ll send word that you won’t be going.”
This time he grasped her arm and stopped her. “Didn’t say I wasn’t going.”
“But how can you?”
“Is it indoors or outdoors?”
“Um. I don’t know. Mother might. Let’s go ask her.”
“No. You ask her. I’ll be down at the barn. Have to finish mucking stalls. Then I’ll be done.”
“I don’t understand why my brothers give you such dirty jobs. Why don’t they have the hired hands do it?”
“They didn’t give them to me. I offered.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Why not? I’m a farmer, remember? Not some highfalutin man who thinks he’s too good to scoop manure. It’s what I do. It’s how I make my living.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Jake. I know you’re not like Mr. Barrington.”
“How’d you know I was talking about him?”
“Because I’ve noticed you don’t like him.”
“That obvious, huh?”
“Yes, it is. And it’s okay. You don’t have to like him. I’m not sure I do, either.”
“Does this mean you’re not gonna marry him?” Hope pounced on him.
“I didn’t say that.”
“I’m confused.”
Leah stopped and turned those beautiful sky-blue eyes up at him. “I’m not marrying for love. I’m marrying so I can leave.”
“You’d really marry someone you didn’t like? Or love?”
“Why’s that so strange to you? It happens all the time. Besides, you asked me to marry you, and you don’t love me.”
“True. But you and I are good friends. We get along great.”
“It still would have been a marriage of convenience.”
“Well, yes. So, what’s that got to do with what we’re talking about?”
“I’m just saying that not everyone is lucky en
ough to find love. Some people have to marry for convenience’s sake.”
“True again. But you ought to at least like the person you’re thinking about marrying. If you’re not sure you even like the fellow, why would you consider marrying him, even out of convenience?”
“Because staying here bothers me more than marrying a man like Fitzwilliam does.”
“You really hate this place that much that you would marry a man you didn’t like just to leave here?”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like him. I said I’m not sure how I feel about him. Besides, there’s more to it than that, Jake.”
“Like what?”
“Like... I don’t want to talk about this or Fitzwilliam anymore. Let’s get back to what we were originally talking about.”
He let out a frustrated breath. “You always do that.”
“Do what?”
“Leave or change the subject when it gets too much for you.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Well, even if I do, so what?”
“Look, Leah. I don’t want to argue with you, okay? I need to get busy. So if you would go ask your mother, I would appreciate it.” He turned on his heel. “I’ll see you later.”
“Now who’s walking away?” Her question bounced off his back.
He didn’t answer but kept on walking. Jake couldn’t believe she was willing to marry someone just to get away from there.
At the barn, he slid the double doors open and stepped inside. Soiled straw scent lingered in the air. He snatched a hay fork off the nail, picked up the wheelbarrow handles and headed to the first stall. While he cleaned, he thought about Leah and her comment about mucking. That comment only served to remind him that she was out of his league. He had thought maybe they would have a chance, especially after last night, but now he knew there would never be a chance for him. But that wouldn’t stop him from doing whatever it took to keep her from marrying Fitzwilliam. His gut had warned him time and again about the man.
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