by Leslie Gould
So he planned to stay. “Where?”
“With the same construction company Zane is working for. I talked to his boss when I picked him up. I’m going to be doing cleanup, to start with. I’ve had some construction experience in the past, so hopefully I’ll be doing more soon.”
Rose felt conflicted. She enjoyed talking with Trevor, even flirting, just a little, but she thought he’d only be around a short time. That had made interacting with him feel safer. “So you’re going to stay?” she asked.
He nodded. “At least for a while, but over at Charlie and Eve’s. Shani, in particular, seems to think that will be best. I’ll stay there tonight.” He paused for a moment and then added, “This will work out well. I can give Zane rides to and from the job site, and that will make his life a little easier.”
She nodded. Sometimes Zane worked on the other side of the county, which made for a long commute.
Trevor shook his head. “I still can’t figure out why he’d give up his truck. I mean, I get that he’s in love with Lila and pretty much a pacifist, and that he likes your lifestyle. Honestly, I admire that. But I can’t imagine not being able to drive.” He patted the steering wheel with both hands as he spoke.
Rose didn’t blame him for not being able to understand. Englisch people loved their vehicles.
He pulled around in front of Shani and Joel’s house and then continued along the side of the barn. But instead of driving on to the little house, he stopped and put the car into Park. Rose’s heart began to race. What was he doing?
He turned toward her. “I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve appreciated getting to know you.”
Rose’s face grew warm. She didn’t want to have a serious talk.
“You’ve been kind to me—when I’ve needed it.” He glanced at her, a pained expression on his face, and then shrugged. “I’m grateful.”
“You’re welcome,” Rose whispered, hoping he wouldn’t start crying again.
He didn’t. Instead he shifted the car back into Drive and then crept forward. “Sheesh,” he said. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable just now.”
“No,” she said. “It’s fine.”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
Her face grew warmer, embarrassed that she’d thought he might have ulterior motives. Of course he didn’t think about her in a romantic way. She was a young Amish woman. A relationship with her was the last thing he’d be considering. For some reason he enjoyed talking with her—flirting, just a little. But that was all.
Trevor stopped the car in front of the little house, and Rose thanked him. As she climbed out he said, “I hope to see you soon.”
She nodded, her heart racing. He had that effect on her. She hurried through the drizzle, reached the front door, and turned back to the car. The passenger-side window was down again, and Trevor was smiling at her. She liked that. She waved and opened the door, feeling giddy as she stepped into the house.
A battery-powered lamp cast a bit of light from the table beside Lila’s bed. She appeared to be asleep. There was a cot in the room now, against the far wall.
A knocking noise in the back of the house startled Rose at first, but then she started toward it, going through the kitchen. Zane, with his profile toward her, was standing in the little bathroom, wearing a headlamp that illuminated the entire room and banging a hammer against a two-by-four.
“Hello,” she said.
He kept banging.
She said it louder.
He turned around quickly, the hammer held high. “Oh, Rose. You startled me.”
“Sorry.” She stepped back a little. “Did your Mamm go home already?”
Zane nodded. “She wanted to tell Adam good-night before he fell asleep.” He leaned against the doorway that had the frame torn from it. He was probably planning to enlarge it.
He inhaled, as if catching his breath, and said, “She left some instructions for you.” He pointed toward the counter. In the dim light, Rose could make out a piece of paper. She wished Shani had stayed to tell her.
“There’s a walkie-talkie on the table beside Lila. I’ll have the other one with me. If anything happens, call me immediately.”
Rose nodded. He didn’t need to worry. She’d call in a heartbeat.
“I’ll go ahead and clean up now,” he said. “And get out of your way.”
Rose picked up the sheet of paper and headed toward the lamp in the living room. Shani had left instructions about pain meds and positioning Lila. She wrote that she’d be over at five a.m. so Rose could help with the milking. Rose said a silent prayer that Lila wouldn’t need anything before then.
Once Zane left, Rose put on her nightgown and brushed her teeth. She checked on Lila one more time. She was sleeping soundly, probably from the pain meds. Rose placed the lamp beside her cot, turned it off, and climbed under the blankets.
She intended to say her prayers, but instead her thoughts drifted to Trevor.
The next morning, Rose leaned back against the buggy seat as she rode with Reuben to the barn raising. The cold morning air helped perk her up a little, but a second cup of coffee would probably help more. Surely Jenny would have a pot brewing. Staying with Lila, doing the milking and all of her chores, and fixing breakfast had resulted in a nonstop morning.
“How is Lila doing?” Reuben pulled to the edge of the road to let a vehicle pass.
“All right,” Rose answered, but she wasn’t really sure. She’d given her pain meds during the middle of the night, but Lila hadn’t woken up by the time Rose left. She turned her head to the right. An Englischer farmer harvested silage, sending up a cloud of dust that made her sneeze.
“Are you looking forward to the day?” Reuben asked.
“Jah,” she answered. There was nothing better than a barn raising—it was even more fun than a singing. The weather had turned sunny and warm, which wasn’t unusual for late September. She looked forward to a day spent with the women while the men put up the barn.
Daniel and Jenny had moved to a little farm about a year ago. The old barn wasn’t worth saving, and Daniel had torn it down. Thankfully the foundation was good, and it wouldn’t take long for the men to put up a new one.
“Rose?” Reuben was staring at her.
“Jah?”
“I asked how you are doing. If you’re able to keep up with everything.”
“Oh,” she said and then yawned. “I didn’t sleep well,” she said. “Lila needed pain meds in the middle of the night, and then I was up early to do the milking.”
“Jah,” Reuben said. “But it’s temporary, right? And you know Lila would do the same for you.”
“Of course.” She tried to keep her voice light. “That’s what I keep telling myself.”
Reuben reached over and patted her hand, and they rode in silence after that. She couldn’t help but feel as if he had just scolded her.
She thought of Trevor stopping his car on the other side of the barn the evening before, and her heart raced again.
“You’re quieter than usual,” Reuben said.
Rose smiled a little. “You should welcome the silence,” she teased. “Because I’m sure it’s temporary.”
He patted her hand again but didn’t say anything more. A few minutes later, he turned down the road to Daniel and Jenny’s house.
Several people had already arrived, including Dat. Trudy had decided to stay with Shani and Lila for the day instead of coming to the barn raising.
Dat headed toward the lumber that had been unloaded out in the field, not far from the foundation of the barn. Rose asked Reuben if it had come from his lumberyard.
“Jah,” he said. “I hired a truck to deliver all the sawed logs and the beam earlier this week. Daniel spent a few days making the peg holes.”
Rose knew he would have used a hammer and chisel to do that.
Reuben stopped near the old farmhouse, and Rose jumped down. “Have fun,” she said, giving him what was probably a sassy look. Even th
ough she hadn’t intended to.
He smiled. “I’m sure I will. You too.”
The farm belonged to Jenny’s uncle, who Daniel worked for. When his previous renters left, leaving the place a mess, he asked Daniel to clean up the property and work on the old house for free lodging. It was a good situation for Daniel and Jenny both. Daniel enjoyed restoring old houses, and Jenny had a knack for decorating—in a Plain way, of course. The home was two stories with a wide porch and an oak tree on either side of it.
Rose hurried toward the steps, eager to see Jenny. She had more in common with her sister-in-law than she did with Lila. Jenny always had the latest information about people in the district or a new recipe to share or a housekeeping tip or an idea about decorating. As opposed to Lila, who only liked to talk about books and current events and the latest quilt she was making.
Rose knew she wouldn’t see Jenny much once her Bobbli arrived, so she was especially looking forward to spending time with her today. The front door was open, and Rose entered, greeted by the smell of coffee.
The living room was small and cozy. Wainscoting lined the walls and bookcases flanked the fireplace. No fire burned, but the house would soon be warm with so many people arriving.
Rose called out a hello.
“We’re back here!” Monika responded. Rose hurried through the dining room into the kitchen. Monika stood at the stove, while Jenny sat in a chair in the eating nook, her legs up on another chair.
Rose stopped abruptly. “Are you all right?”
“Jah,” Jenny said. “Just tired.”
“It’s only eight o’clock.”
Monika laughed. “Most women are constantly tired the last month of pregnancy. You’ll understand someday.”
Jenny put her feet down on the floor, and pushed herself up from the chair. “How’s Lila doing?”
“As well as can be expected,” Rose said, realizing that’s what everyone would be asking her today. She turned her attention toward the coffeepot on the stove. “Mind if I help myself?”
“Go ahead.” Jenny placed her hand on her lower back. She’d really gotten bigger in the last few weeks. Rose didn’t mention it though. Instead she grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it with coffee. After she took her first sip, she asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“You can make the hot cider,” Jenny said. “We’ll serve it with the sweet rolls when the men are ready to take a break.”
Rose got to work dumping cider from the glass jugs on the counter into the large pot on the back of the stove. As she added cinnamon sticks and then cloves, more women arrived. Most of them were young and friends of Jenny. Two of her sisters came, bringing their children.
“Add a little of this,” Monika whispered, handing her a bottle of maple syrup.
Rose did as she was told. She learned something new from Monika nearly every time she saw her.
“Who’s the Englischer out there?” Jenny asked her mother, after coming back to the kitchen from the front porch.
“I don’t know,” Monika answered, peering out the window over the sink.
“He’s handsome,” Jenny said. “Short sandy hair. Square jaw. He’s working with Reuben.”
Rose’s face grew warm as she guessed Trevor had shown up.
Monika stepped to the window. “Rose,” she said. “Is that Zane’s friend? Gideon mentioned him the other night.”
Rose stepped to Monika’s side. Reuben held one end of a board and someone dressed in jeans and a green jacket held the other. She couldn’t see his face, but she recognized him nevertheless. “I believe it is,” Rose said, doing her best to keep her voice even.
“What’s his name?”
“Trevor. Trevor Anderson.” She stepped back to the stove and the hot cider. He hadn’t said a thing about coming today; Rose had no idea how he even knew about the barn raising. She smiled a little to herself. Perhaps Zane had told him about it. She’d find out during the snack break.
Two hours later, as she set up a piece of plywood over two sawhorses with Jenny’s oldest sister, Trevor noticed her and grinned. Rose waved, trying not to smile. But by the expression on Reuben’s face, she wondered if she had without meaning to. She stood for a moment, watching the men working. There were at least thirty of them, and they nearly had the entire barn framed.
When it was time for the snack, Trevor approached her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, shading her eyes from the morning sun.
“Zane felt bad he couldn’t help out. I said I’d do it for him.”
“What’s he doing?”
“Picking up plasterboard with his dad.” Trevor unzipped his jacket and then pushed up the sleeves. “Did you make the cinnamon rolls?”
Rose shook her head. “I fixed the cider.”
He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “I’ll think of you when I drink it, then.” As he stepped toward the table, Rose quickly looked for Reuben. He was still nailing a board into place.
Rose started his way, waving at Dat and Bishop Byler as they headed toward the snacks. She was determined to show her interest in Reuben. She didn’t want anyone to get any ideas about her talking with Trevor. No good would come from that.
“Come get a snack,” she called out to Reuben.
He looked up and shook his head. “I’m not hungry,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do if we’re going to finish today.”
Rose stopped a few feet from him. “I’ll bring you a cup of cider. I made—”
“I’m fine.” He smiled a little. Still, her feelings were hurt at his abruptness. It felt like rejection.
“All right.” She watched for a moment as he pounded more nails but then turned and headed back to the others. Trevor was introducing himself to Monika. Then he turned and talked with Dat and Bishop Byler.
Daniel stood at Jenny’s side. Rose’s heart swelled at the beauty of the little family. Wasn’t that what she hoped for? A loving husband. A home. And children.
She headed toward the piece of plywood and poured herself some cider. As she did, Trevor stepped beside her, saying, “That’s really good. I think I’ll get a second helping of it.”
Rose smiled at him over the rim of her cup.
He lowered his voice. “What’s with Reuben?”
Rose wrapped both of her hands around the cup. “He’s worried the work isn’t going to get done on time.”
Trevor raised his eyebrows. “Is he always so responsible?”
“Jah,” Rose answered. He was the most responsible person she knew, and the most dependable too. But responsibility in one area could feel like negligence in another.
“Well,” Trevor said, “I should probably get back to work.” He drained his cup and then held it up. “What do I do with this?”
“I’ll take it,” Rose said.
His hand brushed against hers, sending a tingle up her arm. “Thank you so much for helping out. I know it means a lot to Daniel and Jenny,” she quickly said.
His eyes twinkled. “Does it mean anything to you?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’m very grateful.”
“Good,” he responded, “because I keep thinking about our rides together and conversations. I look forward to more of the same.”
Before she could respond, he headed back toward Reuben. Rose watched him go.
Jenny stepped to Rose’s side. “Which one are you watching?”
Rose smiled.
Jenny chuckled. “Both?”
Rose shook her head and said, “I only have eyes for Reuben.”
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to look—as long as you don’t touch.”
“Jenny,” Rose said, her face growing warm again.
“Just kidding,” she said, her hand falling to her belly. “I was just being silly.”
Rose put her arm around her sister-in-law and whispered, “I won’t tell Daniel if you don’t tell Reuben.” They both laughed and then gathered up the empty cups left on the end of the makeshift table and headed back to
the house. Jah, Rose would have a little fun while she could. Soon life would be all responsibility and seriousness, being married to Reuben. She was still sure she wanted to marry him—ninety percent sure, at least—but she’d have her own secret time of running around with Trevor. The Englischer would move on, and there would be no harm done.
8
Reuben stood surveying the barn. All that was left was the roof, and he wanted to finish it as quickly as possible so he’d have some time with Rose. He feared, if it was already dark out, Tim would expect her to ride home with him. Or worse yet, what if she caught a ride with Trevor?
Reuben heard the Englischer had given her a ride to the hospital twice. He couldn’t help but feel concerned. He’d lost one Lehman sister to an Englischer. He didn’t want that to happen again.
He’d taken a short break at noon to eat, but other than that he’d been working nonstop all day. When Daniel had asked him to design the barn, Reuben had relied on some plans he came across, modifying them as needed. He felt responsible to make sure everything fit the way it should. Thankfully it had. Now they just needed to finish the roof.
Reuben scrambled back up the ladder. As his head came up over the roofline, he could see Trevor on top of the beam, pounding nails at the peak.
Reuben climbed back on top of the beam, too, and pulled his hammer back out of his tool belt. As he did, he started to lose his balance but caught himself before he fell backward.
“You okay?” Trevor called out.
“Jah,” Reuben responded as he started to nail.
“I’m coming toward you,” Trevor said. Reuben nodded. He was impressed with what a hard worker the Englischer was and how knowledgeable too. Not only did he know his way around a dairy, but he was also familiar with construction.
Reuben looked past the other men toward the house. The women would have a meal ready to eat by the time the sun set. A couple of women stood in the yard, but Reuben didn’t see Rose. He knew she relished being with the other women. Reuben enjoyed the work, but he didn’t crave interaction with others the way Rose did.
Trevor walked along the beam, with quite a bit of agility, and then squatted not too far from Reuben and began pounding again. A few times Reuben glanced toward the house. Finally Rose came out with Jenny, laughing. He couldn’t help but wonder what they were talking about. Did Rose gossip about him with her friends? Reuben had never wondered about that with Lila. She was so serious. He couldn’t imagine her talking about anyone.