by Sherry Kyle
Dana sat quietly. Her red hair and freckles stood out against her pale skin. She’d been Gabi’s friend since they were young girls. Dana eyed Nicolas and Jonas every once in a while, but otherwise ate her soup in silence.
“I hear your pa’s got new dairy cows.” Jonas directed his statement to Dana and spooned vegetables and broth into his mouth. Ach, too salty!
“Yes. Four new head. Peder picked them up in Cayucos.” Dana took a generous sip of her milk. “I don’t know what’s gotten into my brother lately. Pa says he’s figuring out what to do with his life.” She shrugged a shoulder and glanced at Gabi.
When Jonas was Peder’s age, he’d already left for San Francisco. After two years, he still didn’t know the plans God had for him. And now his life was being dictated for him. In the long run, following in his father’s footsteps might be what God intended for him all along.
Gabi set her spoon down and stared at her full bowl.
Jonas glanced at Gabi. The breakup still bothered her by the color that rose in her cheeks at the mention of Peder’s name.
“Nicolas, would you like more soup?” Gabi asked.
Nicolas declined.
“Why? Don’t you like it?” Gabi’s voice wavered. Was she going to cry? “I don’t understand what happened. I followed Ma’s recipe.” The edges of her mouth turned down. “I’m not as good of a cook as she is, but with practice ...”
Jonas cleared his throat and lifted his bowl. “I’d love some. I’m as hungry as a bear.”
“Jonas, your bowl is full—”
“Yes, but I’ll want more. I must be getting my strength back. Can’t sit around when there’s work to be done.”
Gabi stood. “Maybe if I add a pinch of pepper, it will balance the spices—”
“No!” Jonas held up his hand and set the bowl down. “On second thought, I’ll have a slice of bread and another cup of milk.”
“You hate my cooking.” Gabi stomped out of the room.
Dana stood from her place at the table. “Don’t be too hard on Gabi. I’m the one who added the salt.” She chewed on the side of her lip and tore after Gabi.
“Women.” Nicolas wagged his head.
“Sisters,” Jonas added, then let out a breath.
One thing for sure, these ladies had brought life into this house. The past two weeks without his family had been dull and quite boring. Yes, it was high time he got himself a wife and asked Yvette for her hand in marriage.
But first, he needed to make amends with Elena’s pa. Jonas had an idea that might do the trick.
Elena dabbed at her puffy eyes with a handkerchief. She’d been crying off and on ever since her pa told her the news. She missed Starlight. It was plain foolishness to have pretended to be a man to help her father scout for cow thieves. Would she ever learn to leave the hunting to her father? A real cow thief, who stole by profession, would no doubt have treated her worse than Nicolas had. The good Lord protected her from a potential disastrous fate.
On Sunday, she had hid beneath her covers pretending to be ill instead of going to church. She couldn’t face the gossip that was surely circulating throughout the Valley. She’d finished dressing for lunch when Lars’s carriage arrived with her mother and brother. Lars had been considerate to give her the space she needed. Before he left, he handed her a bouquet of wildflowers and told her his horse would be hers once they were married.
Now Elena stared out the window at the place where she and Lars had stood. Didn’t he understand she wanted and needed a horse of her own—not to share his?
Movement near the barn caught her attention. A man slipped between the wooden doors wearing a familiar red plaid shirt. What was Jonas doing here?
“Mr. Seifert?” Jonas called as he stepped inside the barn.
Tobias lifted a hand. “Over here.” His voice sounded curt.
No doubt Elena’s pa was angry with him. This conversation was going to be more difficult than Jonas had imagined.
Tobias’s brows pinched together. “Why are you here?”
His relationship with his neighbor had soured like day-old warm milk. He couldn’t blame Tobias for acting cool. If Elena were his daughter, he’d behave the same way.
Jonas removed his hat and held it against his chest. “I have some explaining to do.”
“Talk fast. Anja is waiting for this cream to churn butter.” Tobias skimmed the top of the already-cooled milk and placed the top layer in a glass jar.
“The other night, I was hit over the head. Gabi discovered me unconscious between the house and the barn. My hired hand roamed our property and thought he’d found the person who’d done this to me. Unfortunately, he nabbed Elena.”
“Your hired hand couldn’t tell she was a woman?”
“Sir, with all due respect, it was dark and she was wearing men’s clothing.”
“I know Elena can be downright foolish when it comes to protecting our cattle—”
“Don’t be too hard on her, sir. Elena’s got gumption. Any farmer would be proud to be married to such a woman.”
Tobias glanced Jonas’s way and lifted a brow.
Jonas’s stomach lurched. Had he exposed his true feeling to Elena’s pa? Better think of something fast. “Lars will provide well for her.” He straightened his hat. “I’m going to take a bride myself, Lord willing. But I need help.”
“What can I do for you?” Suspicion laced Tobias’s tone.
Jonas hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “How about we help each other.”
Tobias crossed his arms. “Go on. I’m listening.”
Jonas rode toward Cayucos with a smile on his face. Tobias had been more than willing to trade Jonas’s services of scouting for cow thieves in exchange for Elena’s teaching Yvette how to be a proper farmer’s wife. Tobias figured if Elena were busy with Yvette and the baby, she wouldn’t have time to be out scouting in the field. That’s if Yvette says yes. Jonas was a bundle of nerves.
“Why can’t I can’t stay with you in Harmony?” Gabi sat next to him on the wagon seat.
“We made a promise to Yvette. And I plan to keep it.” His promise to his father flashed across his mind.
Gabi frowned. “Easy for you to say. Your life hasn’t been turned upside down.”
“All of our lives have changed since Pa died.” Jonas left the rest unsaid.
They entered South Ocean Avenue and rode straight to the Burkhart Boardinghouse.
“Been thinking. Why don’t you talk to Yvette and ask her to help you pick out fabric for a new dress?”
“Truly?” Gabi rested her hand on Jonas’s arm.
“It’s the least I can do after the way you took care of me the past few days.” Jonas removed a few coins from his vest pocket and placed them in Gabi’s hand.
“Sure you can spare the change?” Gabi slipped the money inside her reticule.
He’d planned on buying coffee beans, molasses, and cornmeal at Cayucos General Store, but he could do without for his sister. “Only for you.” Jonas winked and climbed down from the wagon. “Let’s go inside. We’re just in time for dinner.”
Chapter Nineteen
“You promised I’d do what?” Elena crossed the hardwood floor and settled near the window. The sun touched the horizon, slowly sinking from view.
“Elena, it’s only until you or Yvette get married.” Papa sat at the head of the table.
Was it a race? Elena’s heart twisted. “I like Yvette and all, but are you prepared to have a baby in the house?”
Mama entered the dining room carrying a platter of pot roast, buttered potatoes, and carrots. “A baby will be a welcome change.” She set down the food in the middle of the table.
“Jonas wants to make up for the terrible mishap by helping scout for cow thieves. Now that I know he hasn’t been the one stealing our cows, I feel good about the arrangement. He’ll be a big help to Samuel and me.”
“I think it’s quite romantic that Jonas wants Yvette to feel comfortable in the count
ry.” Mama sat and placed her cloth napkin on her lap.
Samuel grinned. “Yvette is pretty. I don’t mind her coming to live with us.”
Her father eyed Samuel. “Now, mind you, she’s spoken for. We’ll treat her with respect.”
Elena glanced down at her plain dress. She tucked the wayward strands of hair back inside her combs. We’ll see how pretty Yvette is working on a farm.
She let out an exaggerated breath and joined her family at the table. There was no way she could share her room with the woman who was going to marry Jonas. “But how can Yvette leave Cayucos when she has a job helping her grandfather run the boardinghouse?”
Did it sound like she was grasping at straws?
Papa’s brows drew together. “Jonas’s ma and sisters have everything under control. Plus, her grandfather is in charge in case a need arises. I see this as a good arrangement and you should too.”
“Yvette is used to running a boardinghouse. She’s accustomed to hard work,” her mother added. “Plus your papa needs someone to assist him find the thief and Jonas has offered. We can’t reject his help.” Mama laid her hands on the table and waited for Elena and Samuel to each grab hold. Papa did the same.
“Lord, we thank you that our family is back together safe and sound. Thank you that we can open our home to Yvette and her child. Thank you, Lord, that Jonas has offered to protect our livelihood. Bless this food to our bodies. In your name, Amen.”
While her father prayed, Elena bowed her head and closed her eyes, trying to shake the image of Jonas and Yvette out of her mind.
Mama dished up the food. Papa talked with Samuel, strategizing the best way to include Jonas in the hunt.
When she sat down, Mama leaned toward Elena. “While I was in Cayucos, I stopped by the Cayucos General Store. There were plenty of beautiful fabrics to choose from for your wedding gown. Before Yvette comes, we should make our way to town.” Her mother stabbed a carrot.
Elena’s heart quickened. She picked up her fork and rearranged the vegetables on her plate. “When will she be here?”
“Not sure. Jonas will let us know. He plans on asking for her hand tonight.”
Her stomach lurched. Tonight? The privacy of her bedroom beckoned. She rested a hand on the locket that rested beneath the neckline of her dress. “Excuse me.”
She pushed back from the table and rushed to her room. The door latch clicked, shutting her from the rest of her family.
Her breaths came hard and fast. How she wished she were the one Jonas planned to marry. If only he’d never left Harmony Valley in the first place. Didn’t he see how much she loved him then? How much she loved him now?
She fell back on her bed and let the tears flow. What was the point of trying to rewrite the past? Or hope Jonas would be in her future? She’d said “yes” to Lars. And she didn’t doubt Yvette would do the same tonight with Jonas. Her Jonas.
Elena swiped at her cheeks with the tips of her fingers and sat up on the bed. If she didn’t return to the table her family would wonder why she’d left so abruptly. She stood, ran a hand over her dress, and reset the combs in her hair before opening the door and returning to the kitchen.
“Everything all right, dear?” Lines creased her mother’s forehead.
No, everything was not all right. Jonas was asking Yvette the four words she’d longed to hear her whole life, and she needed to pick out material to wed a man she didn’t love. But she’d do it—for her parents, for Samuel, and for her future.
“Everything will be.” She cut her meat in small wedges and chewed the same determined way Buttercup ate her favorite grain.
She wouldn’t spend many days watching Yvette’s relationship with Jonas blossom. “Can we go into town tomorrow morning? I’d like to start on my wedding dress as soon as possible.” Her fork dug into another piece of succulent beef and she lifted it to her mouth, eager for this meal to end so she could once again retreat to her room.
Mama laughed. “Slow down, dear, before you choke.”
“Is something bothering you?” Pa fixed a narrowed gaze on her.
Could she convince her parents everything was all right? “Enough time has passed since Lars asked for my hand. He’s not getting any younger. And without Starlight, my life on the farm isn’t the same. I’m ready to move on.”
“Lars will be glad to hear that. He’s been slightly agitated as of late. Said your mind has been on other things.” Mama’s voice quivered. “He’s a fine man, Elena. And you will have every earthly comfort.”
Elena forced a smile. “I know, Mama.”
“More pot roast, please?” Samuel held up his plate.
More important, her brother would lack for nothing and have the best possible care in town. And he was more precious to her than living in Harmony, owning another horse, or her desire to spend the rest of her days loving Jonas.
Even his mother had noticed how quiet he’d been during dinner.
Jonas blamed his silence on his recent blow to the head. Truth was, he was plumb scared to ask Yvette for her hand in marriage. Should he jump right in and ask her in front of his family while they ate dessert? His ma and Gabi would be shocked. They’d want to know details, like how and when they fell in love. No, not in front of his family.
Maybe he should ask Yvette to join him for an evening stroll. The raven beauty was easy on the eyes and would make a pretty picture holding his arm as they walked down the street, but that wasn’t important to him. No, he desired to love a woman with his whole heart.
At this point their marriage would be one of convenience. Nothing more. When the two of them were alone he’d make sure she understood that. He had made a promise to his pa and Yvette was a woman in need of a father for her son.
“I want you to see the doc for that lump on your head before you go back to Harmony.” His mother set a plate of boysenberry cobbler in front of him. “Yvette, do you mind if Jonas spends the night in one of the guest rooms?”
“Not at all.” Yvette rocked Willie in her arms, a look of contentment on her face.
“Thank you.” Jonas dipped his head. Why couldn’t he look Yvette in the eye? At least now he had until tomorrow to get up his nerve to propose.
“It was a good thing I was home with Jonas. Who knows when Nicolas would’ve spotted him?” Gabi licked a smidgen of boysenberry off her lip. “Poor Elena. Nicolas thought she was a man and the one who whacked Jonas on the head. And why wouldn’t he, with her wearing Samuel’s clothes? Anyone would’ve made the same mistake. And did you hear about her horse? Broke its leg. Her papa had to put him down.”
Sabrina’s face contorted. “Not Starlight.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
“Was Elena riding her horse when the accident happened?” Yvette laid Willie’s sleepy head on her shoulder.
Gabi shook her head. “No, her horse went missing and was detected later.”
“Elena finds herself in more fixes than any woman I know.” Ma balanced her fork on the edge of her empty plate. “It will be good for her to get away from Harmony Valley when she marries Lars.”
Jonas clamped his teeth to bite back a response. Every fiber in Elena’s being was meant to live on the hills as a farmer’s wife, taking care of a husband, children, and dairy cows. He caught a glimpse of Yvette with her upswept hair and her fancy dress. What would she think of the arrangement he’d made with Tobias? Would she be willing to give the life of a dairy farmer a try?
He wouldn’t know unless he asked her.
“Wonderful dinner, Ma.” Jonas patted his stomach. “Sabrina, do you mind watching Willie? There are things I need to discuss with Yvette.” He cleared his throat nervously.
Yvette’s eyes brightened. “Sabrina, have you read The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter?”
Sabrina shook her head.
“I have a copy in my room.” Yvette stood and signaled for Sabrina to follow her. “Let me lay Willie down in his crib. He should stay asleep.” She brushed past Jonas. “I’ll meet yo
u by the fireplace in a few minutes.”
Yvette, Willie, and Sabrina disappeared behind the stairwell.
Should he mention his intentions to Gabi and his mother, or wait until Yvette’s reply? He would when the time was right. No sense embarrassing himself if she declined. Then again, would his ma and sister understand his decision? They might think he never wanted them to return to the Valley. He had to admit they had a decent life in town. Every need was taken care of in the boardinghouse.
The tinkle of the doorbell sounded.
“Duty calls.” Gabi pushed herself from the table and left the dining room.
His mother stood and stacked the plates. “I’d better start on these dishes.”
“I hope you’re not working too hard.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I enjoy working in the kitchen. Makes me feel useful.”
Jonas placed both hands on his mother’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “You doing all right here?”
“Without your pa, it doesn’t matter where I live.” A shiver rippled through her body. “But please, Jonas, stop worrying about me. I like living in town. Besides, the customers are pleased. They enjoy my cooking.”
“Yvette hired the right woman for the job.”
“Keeps my mind off missing your father.” She picked up the stack of plates and moved toward the kitchen.
The minute she turned the corner, he realized he’d lost his chance to seek his ma’s opinion about Yvette. She might know the reason for his pa’s request. Then again, Ma had never mentioned anything about it. Why stir up trouble when she seemed happy? Ma would find out soon enough if Yvette agreed to his proposal.
Jonas grabbed his hat and strode to the family room near the fireplace. He’d kept Yvette waiting long enough.
Yvette was standing with her arm delicately draped over the edge of one of the wingback chairs. Reminded him of the other day when Elena held Willie. He shook his head at the memory and joined Yvette by the fire.