Marta Perry - Second Chance Amish Bride

A lively controversy had already broken out between Timothy, who wanted Jacob to look for eggs with him, and Becky, who thought he’d rather play ball.

“You should do what your visitor wants,” she informed her brother loftily.

“Chickens first,” Jacob said. “Then ball.”

Jessie couldn’t help smiling as the three of them ran off toward the chicken coop. “Jacob is a man of few words, I see.”

Leah’s face took on a lively, amused look that Jessie suspected was more normal to her than her cautious greeting. “Especially when he’s around Timothy. Does that boy ever stop talking to you?”

“Only when he’s asleep.” She looked after them. “I wish Becky...”

“I know.” Leah’s voice warmed. “If only Becky would loosen up and talk about things, she’d be better off.”

“You see it, too, then. It’s not just me.”

Leah shook her head, and that quickly, the barriers between them collapsed under the weight of their common concern for the child. “No, it’s not just you. She may be worse with you, though, because...” She stopped, flushing.

“Because of my relationship with her mother. I know. I don’t blame her.”

“Still, she must learn to forgive her mother, or she’ll be carrying the burden around with her for the rest of her life.”

Leah’s insight touched Jessie to the core. “That’s what I think, too.” Unfortunately, Caleb didn’t see it that way.

Leah seemed to measure her with a serious gaze. Finally Leah gave a brisk nod. “Maybe you’ll be able to reach her while you’re here.”

“I won’t be here long enough, I’m afraid. Caleb...well, I am leaving tomorrow.”

“You mean Caleb is insisting you leave tomorrow, ain’t so?” Leah frowned. “I’ve known Caleb King all my life, so I guess I understand. Everyone knows the King men have always been unfortunate with women. It’s turned him sour, I fear.”

Jessie stared at her. “I heard something like that from the driver who brought me out from town, but I wasn’t sure whether to believe it.”

“They’ve had a string of unhappy situations with women, that’s certain sure,” Leah said. “Zeb losing his young wife, and then Caleb’s mammi running off and leaving the three young ones. And after what happened with Alice...well, it’s not surprising folks think so. Or that it’s made Caleb bitter.”

She hadn’t realized just how deep that belief ran from the way Leah spoke of it. Poor Caleb. She knew full well that his attitude wasn’t surprising. She just wished she could make a difference.

Leah was watching her, and Jessie had to say something.

“You are wonderful kind to care so much about your neighbors. I just wish we could get to know each other better.”

“Yah, I wish it, too.” Leah clasped her hand, smiling. “Maybe you could dig in your heels and refuse to leave. Then what would Caleb do? He couldn’t carry you out.”

They were still laughing at the image when the kinder came running up to them. “Can we help with the barn raising on Saturday, Leah?” Becky looked more enthusiastic than Jessie had ever seen her. “Please?”

“You’ll have to ask your daadi. If he says so, we’d certain sure like to have your help. There’s lots you can do.” Leah held out her hand to her son. “Now we must be getting home to fix lunch. We’ll komm again when we can stay longer.” She gave Jessie a warm glance. “I hope you’ll be here.”

“It was wonderful gut to meet you, anyway. And we appreciate the shoofly pies.”

Timothy grabbed the basket handle as they walked away. “Can we have some shoofly pie, Cousin Jessie?”

“I’ll help carry it,” Becky said. “Let’s ask Daadi about the barn raising.”

They headed for the house, the basket swinging between them, and Jessie followed, smiling a little. For a moment there, in her enthusiasm for the barn raising, Becky had looked like any happy little girl. Somehow the glance gave Jessie hope. That child existed in Becky, if only she could bring her out.

Caleb sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, looking a little startled at the excitement of the children. They swung the basket onto the edge of the table and rushed at their father.

“Daadi, we saw Leah and Jacob.” Timothy rushed the words, wanting to be first.

“Leah says we can go to the barn raising on Saturday if you say it’s all right.” Becky wasn’t far behind. “We’ll help.”

Caleb seemed to have mixed feelings about the barn raising. Was it the fact that he’d been injured when the old barn burned? Or maybe just the thought that ordinarily, he’d be up on the beams with the rest of the community, making sure the barn was finished for his neighbor?

“Barn raising is for grown-ups. I don’t know how you’d help,” he said.

“Jacob says he’s going to carry water. I could do that.” Timothy straightened as if to emphasize how tall he was.

“We could carry the food Cousin Jessie fixes. Leah said they could find something for us to do.” Becky didn’t look at Jessie when she said the words, but apparently she didn’t mind using her if it meant she’d be allowed to help.

Apparently Caleb hadn’t told them she was leaving tomorrow.

She touched their shoulders. “Why don’t you give Daadi a minute to think? You go and wash your hands, and I’ll cut the shoofly pie.”

When they’d stampeded toward the bathroom, she turned back to Caleb. “I guess the young ones don’t know I have to leave tomorrow. I’ll explain to them.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

She frowned slightly. “You mean you’d rather explain it yourself?”

“No.” His voice was gruff. “I mean I’ve been thinking about you leaving. Maybe I was a bit hasty. If you want to, you can stay. But just until I get back on my feet again. That’s all.”

It wasn’t the most gracious of offers, but she was too relieved to boggle at that. She felt as if an intolerable pressure had been lifted from her heart.

“Denke.” Jessie struggled not to let her emotions show in her voice. “I would like that, Caleb.”

Her time was still limited, but at least she had been given a chance. A quick prayer of thanks formed in her mind.

Please, dear Father. Show me what to do for these precious children.

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