by Sherry Kyle
It would take more time for Jonas to accept his new life, but slowly, he was catching on. He enjoyed waking up at the crack of dawn and going to bed exhausted. It did his heart good to know he’d put in a hard day’s work. But life would be better if he had a wife by his side. Someone he loved and longed to see at the end of each day. He tried to conjure up Yvette’s image, but blonde tresses and blue eyes filled his mind. If Elena were his wife, he’d work hard and fast so that he could spend as much time in the evenings with her as possible.
But that was not to be. And the sooner he came to terms with it the better—for himself, for Yvette, and for baby Willie.
The gate to his house had been left open. Jonas halted the team and jumped down from the wagon. The loose hinges creaked, sending a rush of adrenaline pulsing through his veins. Jonas ran up the walkway to the front porch and threw the door open.
“Nicolas? You home?”
No answer.
A gust of warm air blew a pair of cloth napkins to the floor. Two china cups sat on the table. He lifted one to his nose and smelled the remains. Coffee. Did Nicolas entertain someone while Jonas was gone?
The bedrooms and the kitchen were deserted. No one was home. He ran to the barn. The stalls were neat and clean. The cows had been put out to pasture, and the two remaining horses stood in the paddock.
“Nicolas?” He called again.
Jonas remembered the small man he passed on his way to Salmina’s Cheese Factory not long ago. Did he come here to Jonas’s property? Had Nicolas given the man food and drink?
The sound of a horse and wagon drew his attention toward the road. He squinted to avoid the blaring sun. Perched on the bench were Elena and Yvette. The two women he purposefully hid from on his way home.
Jonas whipped off his hat, wiped his brow with the sleeve of his shirt, and observed the wagon approach.
Elena tugged on the reins, bringing the team to a halt.
“Your pa doing okay?” The words rolled from his tongue before he had a chance to stop them.
“Papa’s fine. Why do you ask?”
“He and Mr. Cavegn were having a disagreement this morning.”
“When aren’t they having a disagreement?” Elena climbed down from the wagon. “We’ve been neighbors far too long. Mr. Cavegn’s wanted the rights to our spring for as long as I can remember. I won’t miss their quarrels when I move to town.”
Jonas walked up to Yvette and held out a hand. A proper lady would never jump down from a wagon wheel without a man’s help. He had to chuckle at Elena’s energy. He turned his attention to Yvette as she set both heels on the ground.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Jonas said.
“I didn’t either, but Elena insisted.” Yvette’s smile stopped short of her eyes.
Elena rolled up her sleeves. “I imagine your house hasn’t been cleaned in weeks.” She headed up the walkway to the porch, pushed the front door open, and walked in.
Jonas held out his elbow, and Yvette slipped her hand around his arm.
“How’d the milking go this morning?”
Yvette wrinkled her nose. “Not good. I couldn’t get the hang of it. Every time I squeezed, nothing came out. Elena milked three cows before I had an ounce of milk in my pail.”
“Takes getting used to.” Jonas said as they entered the house.
“Where to begin ...” Elena let her words trail off. “Look at your bed. It’s a crumpled heap.” She charged into Jonas’s bedroom, straightened the quilt, and fluffed the pillow.
Yvette bit her lower lip. “Who lives here?”
“Only me and your brother Nicolas,” Jonas said.
“Men don’t clean up after themselves.” Elena picked up the cups from the table and carried them to the kitchen.
Might as well let Elena think he and Nicolas were the messy ones. “I’ll leave you to work.”
“Where are you going?” Yvette’s forehead crinkled as she donned the apron Elena handed her.
“To the field.”
“Yvette, help me carry this rug outside so that we can beat out the dust and dirt.”
Elena would tire his future bride by noon. Why was she working Yvette so hard? He glanced Elena’s way. The determined look on her face set his teeth on edge. She was doing it on purpose.
“Here, let me help you.” Jonas bent down, grabbed the rug, and hoisted it onto a shoulder.
“Thank you.” Yvette let out a breath.
“Why don’t you sit and enjoy a glass of lemonade while Elena and I clean the rug?” The poor woman needed a break and he’d be the one to offer it.
Elena followed Jonas outside and threw up her hands. “How is Yvette ever going to be able to clean house, tend a baby, milk cows, and meet your needs if you treat her like she’s made of glass?”
Jonas tossed the rug over the clothesline. “You’re going to have to ease up on her.”
“What?” Elena thrust her hands on her hips. “It’s hard work to live on a farm. Not every woman is meant for this type of labor, especially someone from town. You’re making a huge mistake.”
“You’re one to talk.” The words came out harsher than he intended. “It’s just as difficult for a hard-working woman such as yourself to give up living on a farm in favor of town life.” Jonas rested a hand on Elena’s shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. She was thinner than before he left for San Francisco. “Take it easy on Yvette. She’s a fine woman.”
“But how is she going to learn—”
“Shh.” He brought his index finger to her lips. He let it linger there for a moment and spoke in a low voice. “With you as her teacher, she’ll learn all she needs to know to be a proper farmer’s wife.”
“But not if you hamper my efforts!” Her eyes misted. “We don’t have much time.” She looked away.
He gently grabbed hold of her chin and turned her face toward him. “How much time?”
“Two weeks. I will become Mrs. Lars Rissler two weeks from Sunday.”
He dropped his hand to his side and strode away before he did what his heart wanted him to do—kiss her soundly on the mouth. As he headed toward the field, he glanced back at the house. Yvette stood near the window. She turned away the second their eyes met.
He’d follow through no matter what. A promise was a promise, and he aimed to keep his.
Elena beat the rug with every ounce of strength. Billows of dust and dirt flew from the carpet. She blinked the debris from her eyes and coughed the particles out of her lungs.
Had Jonas wanted to kiss her or was she making more of the way he had looked at her? Lord, why am I thinking of Jonas with his intended only a hundred yards away?
“What do you want me to do?” Yvette came up behind her.
Elena jumped, caught in her wayward thoughts. “You startled me.”
“I’ve swept the floor and washed the dishes in the sink.” Yvette wiped her hands on her apron.
“We could wash windows.” Jonas’s advice to take it easy on Yvette ran through Elena’s mind. “On second thought, we can save it for another day.”
Yvette’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Only if you think that’s best.”
“I do. But before we go, let’s make a list of chores that need to be done.”
On the ride home, Yvette’s eyes closed and her body sagged. Looked like all this fresh air and hard work had plumb tuckered her out, and it was all Elena’s fault. She’d been so determined to show Yvette the difficult workings of a farm that she’d forgotten the woman was a new mother, after all, and Willie needed her.
If Jonas had chosen Yvette, who was she to make things difficult?
Guilt shot through her at her earlier desire for Jonas’s kiss. It was too late for them. And the sooner she realized this, the better off she’d be.
They arrived home and pulled up in front of the house. A cry pierced the air, and Yvette woke with a start. “Willie.” She climbed down from the wagon the moment the horse pulled the wagon to a stop.
/> Mama stepped out onto the porch, rocking a crying Willie back and forth. “I’m relieved you’re home.”
“Come here.” Yvette cooed as she held out her arms to her son.
“Elena, we need to get started on that wedding dress,” Mama called as soon as Yvette and her baby were inside.
“Yes, Mama. After I clean up.” She planted both feet on the ground and took off toward the washbasin. She’d dreamed of this day since she was a girl. But she always pictured Jonas as her groom. Instead, she’d have an older, more sophisticated man waiting for her at the altar.
Despite the lack of love between them, she was going to be a bride.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jonas kept an eye on his hired hand as they milked the cows late in the afternoon. Nicolas had been unusually quiet since he’d returned to the Bollinger farm. Twice, the man had knocked over a pail of freshly drawn milk. Now the cattle were out to pasture, it was time to come right out and ask.
Jonas had allowed Nicolas inside the house more and more as the days wore on, but to invite someone else inside rubbed him raw. “Didn’t know you planned on entertaining this morning.”
“An old friend surprised me.” Nicolas grabbed a pitchfork and stabbed the hay.
“You weren’t expecting him?” Jonas said.
“Nope. No idea.” Nicolas continued mucking the stalls.
At least his hired hand wasn’t entertaining a woman. Jonas suspected Nicolas might be sweet on Gabi’s friend Dana. Last week in church, the man bolted toward Dana the minute the preacher gave the benediction.
Jonas clutched the handles of the wheelbarrow and moved it forward to allow Nicolas to heap the soiled hay and manure into it. “What did he want?” He worked hard to keep his voice calm.
Nicolas shrugged a shoulder. “Nothing I could help him with.”
The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. Jonas would need to be satisfied with the little information he learned and what he’d observed. Whoever it was didn’t bother to shut the gate on his way out.
“After the sun sets, I’m going to head over to the Seiferts’ place to keep watch.”
“Are they still having trouble with cow thieves?”
“Yes.” Jonas grunted at the weight of the contents in the wheelbarrow as he pushed it outdoors and emptied the remains.
Nicolas followed close behind. “Now that my sister is living with Elena and her family, I should take my turn scouting.”
Why did Nicolas have a sudden interest in protecting the Seiferts’ dairy cows? “I’ll mention it to Tobias.”
“Do you think Yvette and Willie are safe?”
“I do.” Jonas righted the wheelbarrow and set it next to the barn. Did Nicolas know something he didn’t? “Are you worried someone might harm them?”
Nicolas hesitated.
His hired hand’s silence spoke volumes. Whoever was on his property had been looking for Yvette. Looks like Jonas would be scouting for more than cow thieves tonight.
“No reason to worry.” Nicolas’s voice quavered. He loosened the bandana around his neck and wiped his brow.
A twinge of mistrust grabbed Jonas’s midsection. Why did he get the feeling Nicolas’s true alliance rested with someone else? His mind triggered a new thought. Hadn’t Nicolas called his morning guest an ‘old friend’? Old loyalties ran deeper than new ones. Jonas would need to keep his eyes and ears open.
After dinner, Elena stood on a kitchen chair as rigid as the new fence post Papa built earlier that day. Armed with a measuring tape, Mama measured her from head to toe. Yvette looked on, as Willie lay in the padded firebox close by.
“A high neckline would look striking on you.” Yvette draped the white material around her neck. “So would full sleeves and a ruffled skirt.”
A mental picture of a beautiful wedding gown took shape. Elena liked what she imagined.
“We can’t forget to use the crocheted lace.” Her mother reached into her sewing basket and produced her delicate handiwork.
Yvette clapped, delight clear on her features. “And a sash with a large bow in back.” She ran her hand down the length of the material. “I can’t believe Lars let you choose any fabric you wanted. How wonderful to marry a man who can take care of your every need.”
The longing in Yvette’s eyes was like a knife to Elena’s heart. Didn’t she think Jonas was capable of providing? Elena stepped down from the chair and lifted her arms straight out as her mother measured her shoulders and torso for the bodice of the dress. The sudden need to defend Jonas welled up inside her. “The Bollinger dairy farm is quite substantial.”
“Yes, we’ll have enough milk and butter.” Yvette turned and picked up her baby. “Jonas will fatten you right up.” She rubbed noses with the boy. “As for me, I’ll have to be careful if I’m going to fit into my dresses.”
Elena’s mother chimed in. “You won’t have a need for those—one or two for the rare times you go into town.” She held onto the skirt of her plain dress. “Take my shift, for example. I’ve worn the same one for more years than I can count. It suits me—and life on these hills.”
“We have much to get used to here.” Yvette’s voice softened.
Elena could say the same thing. She would need to adjust to town life—the noise of the streets, the number of people all around, the tinkle of the bell above the shop door, among other things.
Crickets chirped outside the kitchen window reminding Elena of the simple life she’d miss.
“I’m done measuring.” Her mother hung the tape around her neck. “I like all Yvette’s ideas—a high neckline, full sleeves, a ruffled skirt, and a sash with a large bow in back. What do you think, dear?”
Elena picked up the lightweight fabric and twirled around, the material flying like a cloud. “Mama, any dress you make for me will be beautiful.”
A knock sounded on the door.
Mama looked out the window. “It’s Jonas.”
“Please tell him I’ve retired for the night.” Yvette rushed to Elena’s room with Willie in her arms.
Elena gathered the fabric. “Quick, help me put this away.”
“It’s not like he’s your intended.” Mama tucked her measuring tape, pins and scissors into her sewing basket.
“No, but he’s a man. And I don’t want him snitching to Lars.”
“But Lars is the one who gave you the material—”
“Mama, please.” A hard, quick puff escaped Elena’s mouth.
Another knock on the door.
Shaking her head, Mama gestured. “Go ahead and answer while I put everything away.”
“Thank you.” Elena took the few steps to the door and turned the handle.
Jonas stood with hat in hand. “Good evening, Elena.”
“Jonas.” The soft way he said her name brought goose bumps to her arms. She drank in his handsome face.
He cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
“Where are my manners? Of course.” Elena stepped aside.
“I’m looking for your pa. Told him I’d help him scout this evening.”
“Have you checked the barn?”
“I planned to go there next.” Jonas situated his hat firmly on his head. “Nice to see you, Elena.”
“You, too.”
Jonas tipped the brim of his hat. “Have a good night.”
Elena closed the door behind him and rested against the frame. A smile curved her lips. Not once had he asked about Yvette.
Tobias would be in the barn. But Jonas couldn’t help himself—he had to get a glimpse of Elena after today’s near kiss. She looked lovely. The wispy strands of hair loosened from her combs only added to her charm. She had a natural beauty that most women couldn’t achieve after primping. He slapped his hat against his thigh. Now that he was engaged to Yvette, he shouldn’t go out of his way to see Elena.
Light shown through the wooden slats of the barn. A horse whinnied from the paddock. Jonas didn’t recognize the thin mare and went to her.
He stroked the horse’s neck.
“Do you like her?”
Jonas jerked at the sound of Elena’s voice. She’d followed him outside. Were they both borrowing trouble? “She’s mighty skinny.”
“You’re right. She’s as thin as a rail. The poor horse was left on our property. We assumed the owner couldn’t take care of her.” Elena clutched the shawl around her shoulders and came up beside Jonas. “With love and proper care, she’ll be healthy and strong.” She uncovered a carrot from the handkerchief she was holding and the animal consumed the treat.
Jonas examined the mare further. “It will take time. More than you’ve got here in Harmony.” Now, why did he go and say a fool thing like that?
“You’re right. But I’m going to give her as much attention as I can.” Elena’s tone sounded wistful as she caressed the horse’s face.
Jonas resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her shoulders and pull her close. Instead, he stepped away from her and caught himself admiring the shape of her neck, what he could see of it from the high-collared dress she wore.
“I’d better get inside.” Elena didn’t move.
Leaning against the fence post, Jonas glimpsed a light flicker from Elena’s room. Was that Yvette? Could she see them standing together under the moonlight?
“Your pa’s expecting me.” Jonas thrust his hands in his pockets, his tone as sharp as barbed wire. He strode toward the barn away from Elena—and from doing something he was sure to regret.
Lord, will I ever find peace?
Angry voices pierced the walls of the Seifert barn. Jonas thrust the barn door open and strode inside. Samuel stood between Tobias and Mr. Cavegn with his arms outstretched trying to keep the two men apart.
“Samuel, step aside,” Tobias yelled.
“No, Papa.” Samuel held his ground.
“What’s going on here?” Jonas pushed out his chest, ready to break up a fight.
Mr. Cavegn held up his hands in mock surrender. “Nothing that a little Christian charity can’t resolve.”