by Amy Clipston
Mark and Dat went in and greeted their guests, but Jamie lingered in the doorway, his eyes locked on Kayla. She was wearing a dusty-rose-colored dress that complemented her cheeks. He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and memorized her face. His conversation with Nathan echoed through his mind. How could this Abram break up with a woman as kind, sweet, and beautiful as Kayla? Jamie would be blessed to have a woman like her in his life.
She looked toward the doorway, and when her gaze met his, her lips turned up in a gorgeous smile. His heart melted. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He took a step toward her. “How are you?”
“I’m gut.” She rested her hand on the back of one of the chairs. “How about you?”
I’m better now. “I’m fine.” Jamie looked at the table, taking in the large serving platter of meatballs and noodles. “Dinner looks fantastic.”
“Eva really was the one who made it.”
He tilted his head and studied her sheepish expression. He had the distinct impression she wasn’t one to take credit for things.
“Let’s sit down and enjoy this wunderbaar meal,” Laura announced.
“Where are you going to sit?” Kayla asked him.
“Beside you, hopefully.”
“Gut,” she said with a smile.
Jamie took his usual seat at the table and tapped the chair beside him. Kayla sank onto the chair, and when their knees brushed, a thrill moved down his spine.
After a silent prayer, they filled their plates and conversations bubbled up all around the table. Laura, sitting across from Kayla, kept her engaged in a discussion of recipes, and Dat and Eva talked about dairy farming. Nathan and Mark discussed the most common causes for stove fires.
Jamie took in the bustling scene around him as he ate the delicious meal. A thought caught him off guard—Kayla and her family seemed to fit with his family. It was as if they’d known each other their whole lives.
Does this mean we belong together?
Hope lit a tiny flame in his chest. Maybe Kayla did belong with him, but only time would tell.
If only Mamm were here.
Unexpected grief sent a pang through him and stole his bright mood.
“Everything was appeditlich.” Dat leaned back in his chair and rubbed his abdomen. “Danki so much for bringing it over.”
“Ya, it was fabulous.” Jamie turned toward Kayla. “That was the best cherry pie I’ve ever had.”
“I’m so glad you liked it.” Kayla stood and began to gather plates. “Eva and I can help you clean up before we head home.”
“Ya.” Eva lifted the serving dish and pie plate.
“No, no.” Laura shook her head. “You did all the cooking. Cindy and I will clean up the kitchen. You can leave if you’d like. I imagine you have to be up early tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” Kayla asked.
“Of course.” Cindy took the plates from Kayla’s hands. “We just so appreciate the appeditlich food and the visit. I had a wunderbaar time.”
“I did too,” Mark said. “You need to come more often.”
“I’m sure we will.” Eva raised her eyebrows at Kayla.
Kayla nodded before looking down at the green tablecloth. Was she embarrassed?
“We should call our driver,” Eva suggested.
“I’ll do it.” Kayla turned to Jamie. “Would you walk me out to your phone?”
“Ya.” Jamie stood. “The shanty is out by the barn.”
“Great.” Kayla looked at Eva. “I’ll tell Eric to come now.”
“I’ll wash our serving dishes while you’re gone.” Eva headed to the sink.
Jamie led Kayla to the mudroom, where he picked up a battery-operated lantern and turned it on. Then he held open the back door for her. The air was warm and humid, and the sun was beginning to set, staining the clear sky with explosions of purple, orange, magenta, and yellow. He breathed in the clean air and smiled. It was the perfect night.
They fell into step beside each other as they descended the porch steps. When they reached the path leading to the phone shanty, they both began to speak at once and then laughed.
“You go first,” he insisted as they strolled toward the phone shanty.
“Okay.” She stopped walking and pivoted toward him. “You were quiet during supper. Was iss letz?”
“Nothing is wrong. I was just enjoying our supper together and observing the conversation. You and Laura were enjoying your discussion of recipes, and I didn’t want to intrude. You’ve really bonded with mei schweschder.”
She smiled brightly. “Ya, I have. Your family is great. I’m so froh we came over tonight.”
“I am too.” He lost himself in her eyes for a moment as a tornado of emotions swirled in his gut—longing, grief, excitement, anxiety, fear. He didn’t want the evening to end, and he loathed the thought of her going home. He wanted to sit beside her on the porch glider and talk all night long. But the sky was getting dark, and work would come early tomorrow morning for them both.
“You’re quiet again.” This time her smile was coy. “What would I learn if I could read your thoughts?”
The question caught him off guard, and he laughed.
She raised her eyebrows as her smile faded.
“I was just thinking we didn’t have enough time together tonight,” he admitted, and her smile returned. “May I see you again tomorrow? I think I can get away from the farm for a little while.” He held his breath, anxiously awaiting her response.
“Ya, I’d like that very much.”
“Gut.” He felt relieved.
Kayla pointed toward the phone shanty. “I better call our driver before our parents start to worry.”
“Ya.” He held up the lantern, and Kayla stepped into the shanty.
Kayla dialed the phone and spoke to her driver, and Jamie found himself already looking forward to spending time with her tomorrow.
Minutes later, Jamie helped carry their serving dishes outside. When the van arrived, he helped their guests load it. Eva and Nathan climbed inside after their good-byes, but Kayla stood with him a few moments longer.
“Danki again for coming tonight.”
“Gern gschehne.” She smiled, a little shyly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait.” He touched her arm. “Have a gut night.”
“Gut nacht.” She climbed into the van, and he waved to Eva and Nathan before closing her door.
When the van’s taillights had disappeared, Jamie jogged up the porch stairs, his pulse racing. He’d just spent a wonderful evening with Kayla and he would see her again tomorrow. His chest swelled and a smile curved his lips.
He stepped into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks. His siblings were already elsewhere, but his father sat at the table, wiping away tears.
“Dat.” Jamie rushed to his side. “Are you all right?”
Dat shook his head and mopped his face with a paper napkin. “I was just thinking about how much your mamm would have enjoyed this supper.”
Jamie sank down into the chair beside his father and rubbed his shoulder. He silently kicked himself for putting his happiness before his father’s needs. How could he even think about Kayla when his father was so much pain?
TWENTY
Disappointment crawled up Kayla’s spine and tightened her shoulders as she wiped down tables for the last time. Jamie had invaded her thoughts throughout the day as she looked for his visit. He hadn’t specified a time, but surely he meant to come for lunch or maybe even supper and then stay to keep her company for a while. But he never appeared. She doubted he would.
The restaurant was closed, and soon she would head home with her family. Knots of disappointment filled her stomach. Why had she allowed herself to get so attached to Jamie so quickly? Her resolve to remain only friends with him had disappeared as soon as she saw him in his kitchen doorway the night before.
Why would you expect Jamie to keep his promise? He was bound to let you down. He’s jus
t like Abram.
Kayla shoved away the negative voice in her head and began to scrub another table.
“Maybe he’ll be waiting for you at the haus when we get home.”
Kayla blinked and then looked across the room to where Eva was cashing out the register. Could her sister-in-law read her thoughts?
“Don’t give up. The night isn’t over yet.” Eva returned to counting and humming.
Kayla grimaced. As much as she wanted to believe in Eva’s words, doubt had crept into her mind and it wouldn’t be so easy to get it out again.
They worked in silence for several moments as her frustrated thoughts swirled. And then another thought hit her. What if Jamie had to fill in at the fire station and responded to an emergency call—and been injured? What if he’d been in an accident like Simeon’s?
Icy fear slithered up her spine and froze her insides.
The bell on the front door rang.
Kayla frowned. Hadn’t the person realized they were closed? They had a sign in the window, but they must have forgotten to lock the door. She turned toward the entrance and gasped as Jamie leaned on the hostess podium. He and Eva were both smiling. Speechless, she stared at him, fear and worry untangling in her chest.
“I know you’re closed, but I was wondering if now is a good time to visit.” He lifted his straw hat and pushed his hand through his thick, dark hair. “I had hoped to see you earlier, but I kept getting caught up with chores at the farm. I hope it’s not too late.”
“No, it’s not too late.” Relief replaced her doubt, worry, and fear as grateful tears stung her eyes.
“Gut.” His gaze moved to Eva. “Hi.”
“Hi, Jamie.” Eva was still smiling. “I’m so glad you made it tonight.”
“Danki.” Jamie walked over to Kayla. “Maybe I can help you with your chores and then give you a ride home.”
“That would be really nice.” Happiness blossomed in Kayla’s chest as she wiped away a tear.
He tilted his head and his smile faded. “Why are you crying?”
“At first I thought you’d stood me up, but then I was worried you had responded to a call and got hurt.” She sniffed. “I’m just so thankful you’re okay.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“It’s fine.” She blew out a relieved breath. “You’re here now.”
He rubbed his hands together. “So put me to work!”
“Oh, don’t be gegisch.” She waved off the offer. “You don’t have to help.”
“I want to. The sooner the chores are done, the sooner we can leave, right?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Ya, that’s true.” She handed him the paper towels and a bottle of cleaner, hoping he wouldn’t mind the smell of ammonia. “You can help me clean off the tables. I’ll go get another bottle and start on the other side of the room.”
“Sounds gut.” He took the paper towels and got to work.
After finding another bottle of cleaner and a roll of paper towels in the supply room, Kayla stepped into the kitchen. Her parents were scrubbing the counters and Nathan was washing pans.
“Jamie’s here.” Her words came in a short burst as she fought to catch her breath. “He came to see me, and he wants to take me home. Is that all right with you, Dat?” She chewed her lower lip, hoping her father would agree.
“Of course it is,” Dat said. “I like Jamie. I’m glad he came by.”
“Ya, I am too,” Mamm said.
“Jamie’s here?” Nathan’s face lit up. “I want to see him before you leave.”
Kayla held up the cleaning supplies. “Okay, but right now he’s helping me clean tables.”
“You’ve found a man who’ll clean?” Mamm’s eyes got big. “You better hold on to him. Men like that are difficult to find.”
“Excuse me?” Dat asked. “What am I doing right now?”
Mamm jammed one hand on her hip. “You have to clean, Willie. It’s your restaurant.”
Kayla took a step back toward the dining room. “I need to get back.”
She found Jamie hard at work. He glanced at her. “We’ll be done in no time.”
Her heart felt as though it had turned over in her chest. She took in the breadth of his wide shoulders and his muscular biceps as he leaned over a table and scrubbed. When she realized she was staring, she set to cleaning a table.
Kayla felt someone watching her. She craned her neck to look over at Eva, who gave her a thumb’s up. Kayla shook her head and looked over at Jamie, grateful he hadn’t seen the gesture.
“How was your day, Kayla?” Jamie kept his focus trained on the table he was cleaning.
“It was gut. We had another tour group for lunch.” But the day dragged as I waited for you.
“Ya, that was a surprise,” Eva chimed in. “I told Dat he should ask the local tour companies to let us know when they plan to eat here. It would help if we were ready for them.”
“That’s very true.” Kayla finished one table and started on another one. “How was your day, Jamie?”
“Gut. Mark and I got a lot of chores done.” Jamie talked about mending some pasture fencing as they finished cleaning the tables. Then they placed all the chairs on the tabletops so Nathan and Dat could sweep and mop the floor.
Kayla made sure the front door was locked and then she, Eva, and Jamie moved to the kitchen. Her parents and Nathan were finishing up in the kitchen.
“How are you, Jamie?” Dat shook his hand.
“I’m fine. How are you?”
“I’m doing well.”
“Danki for the appeditlich meal you sent to my family last night. We enjoyed it.”
“Gern gschehne. And it was kind of you to help Kayla with her chores tonight.” Dat gestured toward Mamm. “Marilyn is impressed you would help clean tables. She said Kayla should hold on to you for that reason alone.”
“Dat!” Kayla gasped.
“I was kidding,” Mamm said. “And your daed is too.”
Jamie chuckled. “I don’t mind helping. Actually, Willie, I want to ask your permission to take Kayla home in my buggy. Would it be all right? We’ll go straight there.”
“Ya, of course,” Dat said. “I think she’ll like that.”
Kayla was certain her cheeks were going to spontaneously combust. “Would it be okay if we left now?”
“Ya, it’s okay with me,” Mamm said, turning toward Dat, who nodded in agreement.
When Junior began to moan from his play yard in the office beyond the kitchen, Eva hurried to him.
“Junior is ready to go home,” Mamm quipped. “He’s been fussy today.”
“Would you like me to take Eva and Junior with us?” Jamie offered.
“No, no,” Mamm said. “You two can go on to the haus. We’ll be ready to leave soon.”
“Hi, Jamie.” Nathan came around the corner from the large sinks. He had two mops in his hands and pushed a bucket filled with water on wheels with one foot. Dat took one of the mops and leaned it against a counter.
“Wie geht’s?” Jamie shook Nathan’s hand.
“Are you going to be at the fire station next week?”
“Ya, but I’ll have to look at my calendar at home to see what day I’m working. I can’t remember off the top of my head.”
Nathan wiped his hands down his white apron. “I was wondering if I could stop by and see you.”
Jamie glanced at Dat, who nodded. “Ya, it’s fine with me as long as it’s okay with your daed.”
“Ya, that would be fine,” Dat said. “As long as your chores at the restaurant are done.”
Nathan nodded. “Great.”
Kayla pointed to the back door. “I think we should get going.”
“Be safe going home,” Mamm said. “We’ll see you soon.”
Jamie waved to Kayla’s family and then followed her outside.
They stepped into the parking lot, and seeds of uncertainty took root. But she shoved those thoughts away. She was going to go on her f
irst ride with Jamie, and they would be alone. Excited butterflies flitted in her belly. Would he ask her to be his girlfriend? And if so, should she say yes?
They walked side by side to his waiting horse and buggy, and Kayla’s pulse galloped. Despite her hesitation about having a relationship with him, she wanted to savor every moment of this ride with Jamie.
Jamie opened the passenger side door of the buggy, and Kayla climbed in.
“Danki.” She smoothed the skirt of her purple dress over her legs.
“Gern gschehne.” Jamie jogged around the buggy and slipped into the driver’s side. Then he guided his horse toward the road. “I’m sorry I got here so late tonight. I was thankful when I saw the gaslights still on in the dining room.”
“Your timing was perfect.” She folded her hands on her lap. “You even got to help me clean.”
“That was a bonus.” He waggled his eyebrows, and she giggled.
She stared out the windshield toward the road ahead of them as he halted the horse at a red light. He recalled her tentative expression when he and Nathan mentioned a visit at the fire station and suddenly felt the urge to explain why he’d suggested it. He didn’t want to risk any misunderstandings between them.
“You’re probably wondering why I told Nathan he could visit me at the fire station.”
She shrugged. “I thought maybe you discussed it with him last night. He was eager to see you, which I’m sure is why he wanted to help Eva and me deliver the meal.”
“Ya, we did talk about it, but I wanted to tell you exactly what we talked about.” Jamie angled his body toward her. “I told Nathan I would answer any of his firefighting questions as long as he came to see me at the station and not on calls. I thought that would help inspire him to be safe. I explained he has to get permission from your daed, and he’s not to sneak off anymore. He has to let his family know where he is.”
“Danki. That was a gut idea.”
“Gern gschehne.” The light turned green, and he guided the horse through the intersection. “I want Nathan to make gut decisions, but I didn’t want you to think I was going behind your back. I’m not going to encourage him to register for training without your daed’s permission.”