by Sherry Kyle
“Jonas will keep their dairy farm running.”
Lars’s eyebrows arched. “You’ve got a lot of faith in someone who’s been gone for two years.
Was he right? Did she believe in Jonas unwittingly?
“Never mind that.” Lars smiled, his teeth showing below his mustache. “Shall we share our exciting news?”
“Now is as good a time as any.” Elena hoped her tone conveyed more excitement than she felt.
“Splendid.” He led the way toward the families she loved and would miss when she married and moved to Cayucos.
Lord, please calm my racing heart.
Elena glanced around once they were among the farmers, women, and children. “Where is Papa?”
“Not another delay,” Lars muttered.
“I’ll find him.” Elena hurried off. She rested against the back of the house and took a moment to catch her breath. She’d never seen her father as angry as he was earlier, blaming Jonas for all the recent wrongdoing. If only she could spend a few minutes alone with Jonas one more time, but it wouldn’t be right. By the way Jonas stood next to Yvette and her baby, they’d be a family before long.
She straightened the bow on her bonnet and looked across the field. Poor Lars. She’d treated him unfairly since Jonas came back into town. From now on she’d do better. She caught sight of her papa near the barn and narrowed her eyes. He paced back and forth, moving his mouth and waving his hands up and down. Was he talking with someone?
Papa had a habit of speaking aloud to the Almighty, and Elena suspected he was doing that now. She moved forward. “Papa?”
Her father swung around to face her.
“Sorry to interrupt. Lars wants to make an announcement. Can you come now?”
“Two announcements in one day?” He cocked his head. “Do I suspect wedding bells?”
A blush crept up Elena’s neck. “He’s been patient.” The past week rushed through her mind. She’d made him wait long enough.
“And you, Elena. Are you ready to be married?”
Ready or not, she’d said yes. “I don’t want to be an old maid.” She straightened her spine, feigning the confidence she lacked. “It’s time I make my own way. I’ll be a good wife.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Papa guided her toward the house. “And Lars will provide well for you.”
Of that, she was certain.
Chapter Twelve
“Gather round.” Tobias stood atop the stump used to chop wood. “Many of you know Lars Rissler, the storekeeper in Cayucos. He and my daughter Elena would like to say a few words.” He stepped down.
Jonas’s palms grew moist.
Lars clutched the lapels of his suit while Elena stood demurely by his side. “As you all know, I’ve been making the trip to and from Cayucos. Well, the time has come to make Elena my bride. It won’t be long until you’ll all be invited to our wedding.”
Anja rushed to Elena and hugged her tight.
Jonas couldn’t take another minute of this happy affair. Between his unnerving arrival in town, his pa’s death, and the promises he’d made, Jonas felt as if he were a stick of dynamite ready to explode.
He had to get out of there, if only for a short while to rein in his thoughts. But how could he, without his family thinking he’d run off again. Blast! He ached for time alone.
Tobias stepped onto the stump again and called out, “Stay as long as you wish. We have plenty of dessert.”
Enough. Jonas whipped his hat off his head and slapped it against his thigh. He marched through the families that remained and headed toward the creek. He should’ve spent the afternoon with Sabrina when he had the chance. Now, all he wanted to do was forget this past week ever existed. It had only brought heartache—more heartache than when he lost his uncle and his job in San Francisco.
Elena spied Jonas’s hasty exit as her mother stood by her side, prattling on about when and where the wedding would take place.
“We’ll need to allow enough time to make you a proper dress,” said her mother as Mrs. Cavegn approached.
“Does this mean you’ll be selling your property and moving to town?” Mrs. Cavegn asked. The sound of her nasally voice grated.
Her mother wore a tight smile. “I’m well aware of the fact that you’ve been eyeing our property. Adding our land to yours would give you quite a substantial farm. But as of now, we’ve no reason to sell. My husband has a good many years left to work the dairy.”
“We all know Samuel won’t be able to run the farm on his own, and with Elena leaving for Cayucos, what point is there to hold on to the place? You’ll want to be near your grandbabies.” Mrs. Cavegn nudged Elena’s arm with her elbow and winked.
“I can assure you that if the time ever comes to sell, you’ll be one of the first to know.” Her mother linked arms with Elena. “Come along, Elena. Time to serve the dessert. Devil’s food cake.” She emphasized each syllable and pulled Elena toward the house.
How long could her father tend the dairy farm? Lars’s request on the ride from church niggled in her mind. Without her or her brother, would her parents move and make a life for themselves in Cayucos? A twinge of sadness crept over her. She’d always dreamed of having land of her own. If her parents sold their house and property, she might never come back to the valley.
“Lars plans to ask Papa if Samuel can move in with us once we’re wed. He says Samuel is a fine worker.” Elena’s voice fell flat. “Would you sell the farm if both Samuel and I moved to town?”
“Your papa is strong. There’s nothing that will tear him away from the cattle and the land he loves.” Her mother opened the back door to the kitchen. “However,” her eyes sparkled, “if a wee one comes along, your father would gladly make the drive to visit.”
“Mama!” Elena’s face heated.
Her mother lifted the lid of the glass stand and revealed a lopsided devil’s food cake. It wouldn’t taste like Brigitte Bollinger’s, but it would be sufficient.
Elena stared out the kitchen window. She caught a glimpse of Yvette walking in the direction of the creek—after Jonas, no doubt. Elena pushed her feelings aside, but failed upon seeing Yvette’s arms were empty. A pang coursed through her at the thought of Jonas filling them.
A baby’s cry swelled inside the house.
“Do either of you know what to do?” Nicolas held the baby at a distance, his arms outstretched.
Elena suppressed a smile and moved quickly to his side. “Here, let me take him.”
“Thank you.”
She gathered Willie in her arms and drew him close. He smelled of lavender. Elena rocked the child back and forth, and soon Willie’s body relaxed against hers and his eyes closed. With the tips of her fingers, she stroked his downy hair and dreamed of the day when she would hold a baby of her own.
The creek beckoned Jonas. Quiet and stillness would calm his anxious soul. With each step, his tight neck and shoulder muscles relaxed. He had learned the hard way that relying on sheer determination wouldn’t fix his problems. No. Only time with God had brought him peace. The sounds of nature and a few minutes alone would give him that.
He sat on the sunken log, propped his elbows on his thighs, and hung his head low. In the last couple of years, he hadn’t been accountable to anyone. Ever since he returned home, he longed to be with his family. But now the pressure was too much to bear.
A mild breeze danced through his hair. He lifted his chin skyward and allowed the wind to flow across his face.
He’d have to accept that Elena chose Lars for a husband. It wouldn’t be easy. And if he was honest with himself, it might be downright impossible. Lars was a good man. Tense, but a good man nonetheless. He’d provide well for Elena and her family. Jonas picked up a small stone and pitched it into the creek.
His mind turned to his ma and sisters. Their lives had changed dramatically in the past few days. Jonas couldn’t replace his pa, but he’d have to make the best of a terrible situation. He glanced up at the sycamore t
ree Sabrina had climbed earlier. Her prayer and trust in God put him to shame. He could learn a thing or two from his young sister’s faith. Jonas bowed his head and made a silent plea to God to help him.
“Jonas.” The timbre of the woman’s voice soothed him. Could it be ...?
He stood, turning around to face her.
Yvette made quite the vision holding a bouquet of wildflowers—purple tansy, California bluebell, and red corn poppy. She moved toward him, her brunette tendrils framing her face. “Why’d you run off?”
“Needed time to myself. Where’s Willie?” The innocent question slipped off his tongue.
“Nicolas is tending him. I shouldn’t be gone long—”
A beautiful woman such as Yvette shouldn’t be wandering the hills by herself. He arched a brow. “Why are you here?”
“Thought you might need comfort.” A blush crept up her neck.
“Comfort, huh?” Jonas hooked his finger under his collar to loosen its grip, then crossed his arms over his chest.
Yvette smiled shyly. “Nothing improper. In fact, I have a proposition for you. And I think you’ll be interested to hear what I have to say.”
“A proposition, is it?” Jonas scratched the afternoon stubble on his chin. He pointed to the log. “Have a seat.”
“You’re sending us away?” Sabrina stomped her foot on the wooden floor and thrust her fists against her slender hips. “Why? Don’t you love us?”
Jonas expected this reaction from Sabrina. He stood from his pa’s rocking chair and moved toward his younger sister. “You’ll enjoy living in the Burkhart Boardinghouse. And you’ll be able to attend school in Cayucos.”
“But I like the schoolhouse here.” The angry look she shot his way sent a wave of nausea through his belly.
“Yvette said you could live at the boardinghouse for free in exchange for a few hours of labor.” Jonas turned toward Gabi. “The chance of meeting a decent man to marry is higher in town.” He smiled. “You could mind the desk and welcome the customers.” A flicker of hope flashed in Gabi’s eyes.
“And Ma, the boardinghouse could be a place of healing for you. A change of scenery.” Jonas bent down and clasped his mother’s hands in his. “And when you’re ready, Yvette and her grandfather would like you to be their new cook.” His breath caught in his throat. Was he being too harsh? How could he consider sending his family to Cayucos so soon after his father’s passing? He leaned in. “Ma, are you pleased with Yvette’s suggestion? The final decision is yours, of course.”
Tears gathered in Ma’s eyes. She blinked them away and wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “If you think that is what’s best.”
Jonas squirmed in his seat. Didn’t she have an opinion? It was unlike her to concede. But the past few days she hadn’t been herself. She was grieving after all. “I want to know your views on the matter.”
“I’ve always wanted to live in town.” She fingered the edge of her shawl, a slight smile curving the edge of her lips. “And I trust that you are looking out for me and the girls.”
“And after you’ve given it sufficient time, if you’re unhappy with the arrangement, I will welcome you home with open arms—like you did for me.”
Was he doing the right thing for his family? Or for Yvette? He understood firsthand the trouble she and her grandfather were having lately. Customers were leaving by the droves because of baby Willie’s cries. And Grandfather wasn’t as adept and mobile in the kitchen as he used to be. But beside the help his family could provide, Yvette had offered the boardinghouse as a place of refuge for his ma and sisters—a new start, like Jonas had given her brother Nicholas.
“I do want what’s best, Ma.” Jonas stroked his mother’s cheek. “You don’t need to worry. I’ll take good care of pa’s cattle. Nicolas will help me with the milking. He’s promised to stay as long as he’s needed.”
“A change might be good.” His mother stood and ambled across the room. She halted near the fireplace and ran her hand over Pa’s pipe. “When shall we go?”
Jonas joined his ma by the fire. “Whenever you’re ready.” He squeezed her hand before heading to his room.
A cloud of doubt weighed heavily on his shoulders. He undressed and climbed into bed. Just when he got his family back, they were slipping through his fingers. Could he stand to have them in town? The image of Yvette’s pleading face lingered in his mind as he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Two weeks had gone by and Elena didn’t feel any more engaged than the day she accepted Lars’s proposal. She had yet to go into Cayucos to pick out the fabric for her wedding gown. Too much had been happening on the dairy farm. Another cow had been taken from their barn, and Mr. Cavegn once again took up his fight for the spring that bordered their property. Mama spent her days watching out for Buttercup. Elena didn’t mind taking her time with the wedding plans. Even with all the commotion of late, she relished every minute spent on the hills.
Today, however, would be different. Now that Jonas’s ma and sisters worked and lived at the boardinghouse in Cayucos, Elena had the urge to take Pa’s wagon and go into town. She’d pay the women a visit and find out how they were faring. They, of all people, could give her an idea whether she’d be able to handle such a transition.
“Samuel, are you done working with Pa? I’m heading into town and would like your company.” Her ploy to take her brother was two-fold—she wouldn’t be alone on the drive, something her pa never allowed, and once she was at Cayucos General Store, she wouldn’t be alone with Lars.
“A couple more stalls to muck.” Samuel dumped the wheelbarrow of cow manure on the compost pile.
“When you finish, change your shirt and wash up. Lars has a reputation to uphold. I don’t want you smelling like livestock.”
An hour later, Samuel eyed the candy while Elena stood beside bolts of fabric at Lars’s store. The small amount of money in her reticule limited her choices. The wedding would take place in Harmony Valley, so he need not be embarrassed by the simple affair.
The bell above the front door tinkled as Yvette walked in, her arms free. She headed straight toward her.
“Elena, how nice to see you.”
“You as well.”
“I don’t have much time. Willie’s asleep. I told Sabrina I’d give her a few coins if she listened for him while I went to the store.” Yvette glanced over the bolts of fabric.
“Looking for something special?” asked Elena.
“Jonas has been coming for dinner a few times a week, and I want to look my best.” Yvette brought her eyes to meet Elena. “You’ve known him for a long time. What color does he like?”
Blue.
As a young boy, he used to say, “Blue as the sky, blue as your eyes. Why can’t all the world be blue?” It sounded childish now, but as a girl, she loved hearing Jonas say those words to her.
“You looked lovely in the purple dress you wore the other day, but Jonas isn’t impressed with fancy clothes.” Elena knew all too well the truth of her statement.
“You’re right.” Yvette agreed. “Thank you.”
Lars approached. “Anything I can help you with?”
“No. Not a thing.” Yvette winked at Elena. “Thought I needed fabric for a new dress, but Elena helped me see what a waste it would be.”
Those weren’t exactly her words ...
“I see.” Lars cleared his throat. “My soon-to-be bride needs to learn the art of sales.” He grabbed a bolt from the rack. “Take this blue chiffon. It would be a nice complement to your dark hair.” He unwound the delicate fabric from the bolt and laid it across the table. “Women enjoy purchasing material for a dress or two after they’ve had a baby—cheers them up. Long nights with the wee one can drain a new mother.”
Yvette fingered the soft fabric. “It is beautiful.”
“How many yards would you like?” Lars smiled. Five minutes later he cut and wrapped the fabric for Yvette.
Elena was ast
ounded by the ease in which some people lived. She couldn’t afford such fabric for her wedding gown, and Yvette nary blinked an eye. As the two finished their transaction, Elena’s heart sank. Hopefully Lars wouldn’t mind his bride in cotton. She glanced down at her simple farm dress. He hadn’t minded all these months while they were courting.
Yvette carried her bundle under one arm. “Elena, will you come for tea? Sabrina and Gabi would love to see you. I’ll be there shortly after I make a quick stop to the seamstress.”
The detail work on the bodice of Yvette’s dress was lovely. Maybe if Elena postponed the wedding a month or two she could earn enough egg money, like she had before, to pay a professional to make her wedding gown. Her mother’s feelings would be hurt, but she’d been distracted lately with the farm. Maybe Mama would be relieved of the duty. “Mind if I walk back to the boardinghouse with you?”
“That would be lovely. I’ll wait for you outside.” Yvette waved to Lars. “See you soon.” The bell jingled at her exit.
Elena caught Samuel’s attention. “Come to the boardinghouse when you’re ready. And don’t forget to bring Sabrina a lemon drop or two.”
Samuel gave her a mock salute.
“No purchases today?” Lars’s brows knit together.
“I’m undecided.” Elena clutched her reticule. She’d been unresolved about many things regarding her upcoming wedding.
“If you’re afraid I’ll see what fabric you chose for your wedding gown, we can have Samuel ring up the transaction.” Her brother wouldn’t be able to count the correct change, besides he was knee deep in boxes unaware he was the topic of conversation.
Lars toyed with one end of his mustache. “On second thought …” He must have realized the impossibility of his suggestion. “The fabric is on the house. Only for you, my dear.”
Despite Lars’s generous offer, the pressure was simply too much. “I appreciate the gesture. Truly I do.” She glanced around. Customers roamed the store. Had they heard? “Yvette is waiting for me outside. Perhaps another day?”