Bethany pointed at Michael. “That door is to remain closed while you are working.”
He held his hands wide. “I’m done for the evening.”
“In that case, pull up a chair and start making your Christmas cards. They have to go in the mail by the end of this week if you want them to arrive on time.”
“I haven’t sent many cards in the last few years, but I will definitely take some of that hot chocolate. Is that peppermint I smell?”
“Help yourself. I will make a list of people for you. Let’s start with your mother and father. They will get a card, right?”
He nodded as he filled a white mug from the pot. “I have three brothers and two sisters.”
She wrote down the names and addresses that he gave her. She sat poised with a pen. “Grandparents?”
“Gone, I’m afraid.”
“Mr. Meyers at the jewelry store where you used to work? Grandfather always sent him one. How about some of the people you worked with? Are you still friends with them?”
He paused with the mug halfway to his mouth. He slowly lowered it. “I don’t have friends there anymore.”
He put the mug down, walked back into the workroom and closed the door.
Bethany didn’t know what to make of his abrupt retreat. She looked at Ivan. “Did I say something wrong?”
Ivan shrugged. “He was shot during a robbery there. He doesn’t like to talk about it.”
Bethany stared at her brother, unsure she’d heard him correctly. “Michael was shot?”
Ivan nodded. “That’s why he limps. I wasn’t supposed to tell you. You won’t tell him I mentioned it, will you?”
Bethany shook her head. “I won’t say anything.”
No wonder Michael didn’t like to talk about his injury. Someone had robbed him at gunpoint and shot him. Was he the only one? Or were there others, too? She thought back to something her grandfather had mentioned. He told her the man who sent him watches to fix had a store robbed. Somewhere she had her grandfather’s correspondences. He kept everything in case he had to prove the work had been done and the timepieces had been returned.
Some things about Michael began to make sense. The way he was always vigilant. He didn’t like crowds. He often stood with his back to the wall. She assumed he was leaning against the wall to rest his leg, but he might just as easily have been doing it to assure himself there was no one behind him.
She looked at Ivan and Jenny. “Let’s make Christmas cards for Michael’s family. It can be our Christmas gift to him. What do you think?” They both agreed and got to work.
Later that evening, Bethany carried a lantern into her grandfather’s room. She put it down on his bedside table and pulled a large box from under his bed. She opened it and began to search for letters from George Meyers. She found the one she was looking for. Holding it in her hand, Bethany was torn by the feeling that she was invading Michael’s privacy by snooping into his past. Would it tell her what she needed to know about Michael and what troubled him? Like her brother, she didn’t know how to help Michael if she didn’t know what was wrong.
She opened the letter and began reading.
Chapter Nine
Michael peered through his jeweler’s loupe at a tiny screw he was attempting to insert into the mechanism of an antique gold pocket watch. His concentration was broken by the thump-thump-thump of Sadie Sue’s tail against the floor. It was her signal that he wasn’t alone but the visitor was someone she knew.
He couldn’t believe what a difference having the dog had made on his anxiety level. He was confident in her ability to alert him to strangers. He didn’t feel the need to constantly scan his surroundings for danger as often. When he did get agitated, she would distract him by nuzzling him for affection or bringing him the red ball she loved to fetch and dropping it in his lap.
“What are you doing?” Jenny asked as she came up beside him. His workbench was just high enough to allow her to rest her hands and chin on it.
“I’m working. Are you supposed to be in here?”
“I can’t come in when the door is closed.”
“Is the door closed, Jenny?” He turned the loupe up so that he could see her face. She was the perfect picture of boredom.
“It was closed but then it opened, so I came in.”
He tipped his head to the side. “Did it open because you turned the doorknob?”
“Maybe. Are you mad?”
He sighed heavily. “What do you need, Jenny?”
“I want someone to play hide-and-seek with me. Will you, please?”
“I’m working. Ask your sister to play with you.”
“She’s doing the laundry.”
“Then perhaps your brother would enjoy playing with you.”
“He says I’m too little and that I’m just a pest. I’m not a pest, am I?”
Michael put down his screwdriver. The tiny screw popped off the magnetized end and went rolling off the workbench onto the floor. He pressed his lips into a hard line. “You are not a pest, but I don’t have time to play, Jenny. I have work to do.”
Her hopeful expression dissolved into a serious pout.
He got off his stool and awkwardly dropped to one knee to see under the bench. Jenny picked the screw up and handed it to him. “No one wants to play with me.”
He paused and thought for a minute. “Why aren’t you in school?”
“’Cause the teachers have to go to meetings for two days.”
He got back on his work stool. “Play with Sadie.”
“Sadie Sue can’t play hide-and-seek. She can’t count.”
He put his loupe back on. “I’m sure Sadie can learn to play hide-and-seek with a little help from you. You go hide, and I will send her to find you.” If he was fortunate, he could have ten or twenty minutes of uninterrupted work time before she came looking for the dog.
Bethany opened the door. “Jenny, I thought I told you to stay out of the workroom while Michael is in here.”
“He wants me to play with Sadie Sue.”
Bethany folded her arms across her chest. “Then bring the dog with you and leave Michael alone.”
“We’re playing hide-and-seek. I’m going to go hide. Michael, you count for her.” Jenny took off at a run.
He waited a long moment, then looked at his dog. “Ten.” She wagged her tail.
Bethany grinned at him. She had the most contagious smile. It boosted his spirits every time he saw it. “I’m sorry Jenny bothered you. She has been out of school for the past two days because of teachers’ meetings. I think she has a touch of cabin fever.”
“I’m ready,” Jenny called from somewhere in the house.
Michael looked down at the dog. “Go find Jenny.”
Sadie Sue didn’t move. He patted her head. “Goot hund.”
Bethany arched one eyebrow. “I see your plan. Jenny stays hidden and you get some work done?”
“It was the dog’s idea.” He put his tools down. “What are you baking that smells so good?”
“It’s a turkey-and-rice casserole for supper. Is your compliment a sly way of asking if you can join us for supper?”
“You read me like a book.”
She tipped her head to study him. “I wish that was true.”
He looked away first. He would be in deep trouble if she actually could read his mind. At the moment he was wondering what it would be like to kiss her.
“You are always welcome to eat with us, Michael. You never need an invitation.” She paused, looking as if she wanted to say something else. Her indecision vanished. She smiled softly. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go find Jenny.”
She clapped her hands together. “Come on, Sadie. Let’s leave Michael to finish his work.” Sadie rose and followed Bethany out of the room.
Michael
picked up his screwdriver but working had lost its appeal. He laid his equipment aside and went out to the kitchen.
Bethany was diligently checking hiding places for her sister. He was the one who happened to notice that the door to the cellar was open a crack.
He clicked his fingers and Sadie trotted to him. He whispered in her ear and then gave her a small push toward the door. She trotted right past her quarry without seeing her. Jenny would’ve been safe if she hadn’t giggled. Sadie spun around and pushed her nose in behind the door.
“Aw, you found me.” Jenny patted the dog’s head and looked to Michael. “Keep her here while I go hide again.”
“Wait a minute.” He turned to the refrigerator and opened it. There were several links of cooked sausage left over from breakfast. He picked up the plate and looked at Bethany. “Is it okay if I give this to the dog?”
“Feed goot food to a dog? Are you serious?”
“Please?” he cajoled. He used the same tone on Bethany that Jenny had used on him. To his surprise, it worked.
“Very well, but I don’t see why the dog needs sausages. She’s filled out fine on dog chow.”
He motioned to Jenny. “Come here. We are going to teach Sadie Sue to find you so you two can play hide-and-seek and leave me alone.”
Bethany’s eyes brightened. “That might work. Good thinking. Where did you learn how to train dogs?”
“I’ve never owned a dog before. This will be trial and error.” He crumbled the links into pieces and gave them to Jenny. “Put these in your pocket. When I say ‘find Jenny,’ I want you to hold out a piece in your hand. Got it?”
“Sure.”
“Sadie, find Jenny.” Sadie cocked her head to the side as she stared at him.
Jenny fished a piece of sausage out of her pocket and held it out to the dog. “Here, girl.”
Sadie never needed a second invitation where food was concerned. She ambled over to Jenny and gently took the piece of meat from her hand.
“That was fine,” Michael said. “Now I will take her a little farther away. This time, Jenny, don’t say anything. Just hold out your hand.”
He took Sadie by the collar and led her to the other side of the room but her eyes were still on the little girl. He turned the dog so she was facing the other way. “Sadie, find Jenny.”
Sadie spun around and made a beeline for Jenny, gulped down the piece of meat and barked.
Jenny laughed. “I think that means she wants some more.”
“She will have to earn another piece.” He took the dog by the collar and led her to the other side of the room.
Bethany regarded him with an amused expression. “You have taught a dog to eat sausage. Everyone will be amazed.”
“Don’t be a doubting Thomas.” This time he took Sadie out into the workroom. “Sadie, find Jenny.” The dog galloped from the room straight to Jenny and claimed her tidbit.
He was pleased with his experiment so far. “Now comes the real test. Jenny, I want you to go into the other room where Sadie can’t see you. I want you to be quiet. Don’t call her. Let’s see if she will go look for you.”
Jenny hurried out of the room. Bethany smothered a giggle. “I think the command should be ‘go find sausage.’ If I ever lose my breakfast meat I’ll know who to call on. Michael and his amazing Sadie Sue.”
“Scoff all you want. This is going to work.” He looked down at the dog. “Sadie, find Jenny.”
Sadie remained at his side watching him intently with her whole back end wagging. Bethany started laughing. She swung her arm out, pointed toward the doorway and yelled, “Find sausage!” Sadie started barking at her.
As much as he enjoyed the sound of Bethany’s laughter, he didn’t appreciate her lack of confidence. “She is going to get this. Jenny, come back here.”
Jenny walked in the room looking confused. “Did I do it wrong?”
He shook his head. “You did fine. It is Sadie who needs a little more work. Why don’t you go put on your coat and boots and we will take this outside, where there aren’t so many confusing smells for Sadie and fewer people who want to make fun of her.”
Jenny put her arms around Sadie’s neck. “You’ll get it. I know you will. You’re the smartest dog in the whole wide world.” Sadie licked her face, making her giggle. Jenny headed for the coatrack. Sadie Sue followed with her nose pressed to Jenny’s pocket.
Michael met Bethany’s gaze and saw her affection for him in the depths of her eyes. His heart tripped over itself. She cared for him. He knew it as surely as if she spoke the words out loud.
He was falling for this amazing, beautiful, caring woman and he had no idea how to change course.
He had little to offer. He was a broken man. Nothing more than a jumble of pieces like some of the watches that came to him. Sometimes a boxful of gears and a dial couldn’t be assembled to work properly no matter how much the owner wanted it repaired.
Bethany tipped her head slightly. “What?”
He shook his head and looked away. “Nothing. I was thinking about a broken watch I received the other day.”
“Why does that make you sad?”
“Who said I was sad?”
She leaned closer. “I read you like a book, remember?”
Then she should be able to see how much he had grown to care for her. “It’s sad because the watch can’t be fixed.”
“Why not?”
He turned away, afraid she could see what he was thinking. “An important part is broken. It can’t be mended.” He was the broken timepiece and could never forget it.
“Do you think another watch repair business might have the part you need?”
“It’s not likely.”
“If you really want to restore it, you should ask if someone else can help you. What about asking Mr. Meyers for help?”
Michael heard something in her voice he didn’t understand. He looked at her sharply. “What do you know about George Meyers?”
She rubbed her hands together. “He supplied my grandfather with the majority of his work. He also suggested my grandfather write to you and offer you a job here.”
Michael tensed. “I told you that.”
“I was going through some of Grandfather’s things last night and I found the letter George Meyers sent to Grandpa.”
Michael swallowed hard. What else was in the letter? “Was it informative?”
“He said you were injured during a robbery at the store.”
He shouldn’t be surprised. It was newsworthy. “What else did the letter say?”
“That three of his employees were killed by the robbers,” she said gently.
He closed his eyes. “That’s true.”
“I’m so sorry. It must have been terrible for you.”
He couldn’t speak. Did she pity him now? He couldn’t look at her. “What else did George tell your grandfather?”
“Mr. Meyers wanted you to have a chance to start over. I’m glad he asked Grandfather to contact you.”
Michael glanced up at her. She meant it. If George had mentioned that Michael was off in the head, Bethany didn’t share it. Michael relaxed. George Meyers had given him more than a chance to continue his work. He’d given him a chance at a new life. It had been nearly two weeks since his last PTSD episode. Perhaps he truly was getting better here.
Was his new life one that could include Bethany and the children?
The thought was almost unimaginable. His skin grew clammy. The idea that Bethany might one day love him was terrifyingly wonderful. Was it possible? Did he deserve such a gift? If only he could be sure he would get well.
“I’m ready,” Jenny called from the front hall.
“I’ll meet you on the back lawn.” He was glad of the distraction. He needed to forget about a relationship with Bethany that was anything oth
er than professional. He went out to the workroom, grabbed his coat, pulled on his overshoes and went out the side door with Sadie at his heels. He didn’t want Bethany drawn into the darkness that hid inside him, waiting to spring out.
Jenny, dressed in her dark blue coat and bright red mittens, was waiting for him on the snow-covered lawn. She had a red-and-blue knit cap pulled over her white prayer kapp. Scooping up some snow, she formed a snowball and tossed it from hand to hand.
“Fetch it, Sadie.” Jenny threw the ball, and the dog made a dive for it into a drift, leaving only her back legs and tail visible. She pulled out of the snowbank and shook vigorously, pelting Jenny with clumps of snow. Jenny stumbled and fell. Sadie started licking her face, making Jenny giggle as she tried to fend off the determined pooch. “Stop it, Sadie, stop it.”
“She must think you’re a sausage,” Bethany called from the doorway. She had her arms crossed over her chest and her shoulders hunched against the cold.
Michael packed a snowball and threw it. It smacked against the side of the house above Bethany’s head, sending a shower of snow her way. She ducked and brushed the crystals from her clothes. “Hey, that’s not fair. I’m not dressed for a snowball fight.”
“Then go back inside. Sadie needs to concentrate. You’re distracting her.” In truth, he was the one distracted by her presence.
“Well, don’t expect to get any more sausage from me.” She was smiling as she shut the door. A few seconds later he saw her draw the shade aside at the window so she could watch them.
For the next hour he and Jenny worked at teaching Sadie to find the girl. By the time they were both too cold to continue, Sadie was getting it right about half the time. She was still more interested in hunting among the trees than she was in finding Jenny even for a piece of sausage.
“I say we call it quits,” Michael said as he sat down on the back porch steps and rubbed his aching thigh.
“She’s almost got it.” Jenny sat beside him.
“If we work with her a few more days I think she will find you most times, as long as a rabbit doesn’t run in front of her.”
An Amish Wife for Christmas Page 11