The Widow’s Second Chance

Martha King has been a widow for only a few months, but already the community wants her to remarry. But after her childless marriage, she isn’t in a rush to give her heart to another man—until Elijah Lapp. The handsome—and younger—Eli hires on at Martha’s farm to earn extra money to fund his dream of owning a carriage shop. But the more time Eli spends with Martha, the more he realizes his life should also include a wife. Can Eli convince the Amish beauty to overcome their age difference and accept a future with him?

Eli stepped out of his vehicle and tied up his horse.

She blushed. The two-wheeled carriage he’d driven resembled the type used for courting. He grinned when he saw her standing a few yards away.

“Martha! Guder mariye!” He looked glad to see her.

“Gut morning, Eli. Working alone today?”

“Ja. Isaac is helping Dat on the farm.”

“Why aren’t you helping your vadder?”

“He says he doesn’t need my help. I’d rather be here. You pay me to work.” His smile held pure masculine appreciation.

Was Eli flirting with her?

“What are you planning to do today?” she asked as he continued to smile at her.

“Finish a few items on Dat’s list.” He studied her for a long moment. His smile disappeared. “I’ll get to work.”

As she pinned up some towels on the clothesline, she flashed a look in Eli’s direction. What is it about this man that makes me unable to ignore him? She recalled the two men in her life who had hurt her.

Not again. It wouldn’t happen a third time. Not with anyone.

REBECCA KERTZ was first introduced to the Amish when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew. She enjoyed watching the Amish foreman’s children at play and swapping recipes with his wife. Rebecca resides in Delaware with her husband and dog. She has a strong faith in God and feels blessed to have family nearby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, doing crafts and visiting Lancaster County.

Elijah and

the Widow

Rebecca Kertz

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

—Philippians 2:2

For Melissa Endlich, Editor Extraordinaire, for her kind patience, understanding and expertise. Thank you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Happiness, Lancaster County,

Pennsylvania

Spring

The winter had been fierce with heavy snowstorms and time spent huddled near the woodstoves in the gathering room and in the kitchen. Elijah Lapp was glad to see the bitter cold weather end. He stood on the edge of the family farm, lifted his face toward the sun and closed his eyes. He inhaled deeply and smiled. The warm breeze felt good against his skin, and he enjoyed the scents of spring blossoms and freshly tilled dirt, a clear reminder of nature’s rebirth.

The sound of distant male voices had him opening his eyes. Dat and his younger brothers headed in his direction. His father handled the reins to the four big chestnut Belgians that pulled the plow while Isaac walked alongside the horses, ready to help maneuver them as they reached the end of the field. Daniel and Joseph, the youngest, trailed behind. He heard laughter as Daniel jostled Joseph teasingly. Dat scolded the two boys, and they grinned at each other as they returned to work.

Eli chuckled and shook his head. He remembered when Jacob and he were learning farmwork. They had walked with Dat and listened as their father had explained how to get the most from the soil. He smiled as he recalled how excited he’d been when Dat had given him the leathers for the first time. To be allowed to operate the farm equipment had made him feel like a man.

He watched as Dat steered the plow to the end of a field before Isaac grabbed hold of the gear to lead the horses in the opposite direction. He should be working with them today, but Noah had asked for assistance with his furniture business, and Dat said Eli could go because he had enough help for the day’s planned work.

His father acknowledged him with a nod when he saw him. Eli waved as Samuel Lapp slowed the horses to within a few yards of where he stood. The large draft horses halted on command, and Dat turned to him with a smile.

“Dat, I’ll be leaving now. Are you sure you don’t need me to stay?”

Samuel took off his straw hat and wiped his brow with his shirtsleeve. “Ja, but I’ll need your help tomorrow.”

“I wouldn’t go today, but Noah is eager to catch up with his work orders.”

His father settled his hat back onto his head. “You’re becoming skilled as a cabinetmaker in your own right,” he said, sounding pleased.

Eli smiled. He enjoyed working with his hands, and he was thankful that his brother had given him the opportunity to craft a few wooden chairs and a number of tables. “The only things I’ll be making for him today are deliveries.”

Noah and his wife, Rachel, had recently welcomed a baby girl—Katherine, named after his mother, the baby’s grandmother. Little Katy was the joy of her parents’ lives. Since her miscarriage two years ago, his sister-in-law had feared that she’d never be able to carry a child to full term. But everything had gone smoothly with Katy’s birth. A proud father, his brother Noah hoped to finish his deliveries early so that he could spend time with Rachel and their infant daughter.

“Ever think of joining Noah as a cabinetmaker?” Dat asked.

“Nay. I want a business of my own.” Eli had been saving most of what he’d been allowed to keep from his earnings since he was eleven. Soon he’d have enough money to finance his own carriage shop. He’d known what he wanted to do ever since he’d been given an old courting buggy that shopkeeper Bob Whittier discovered in an outbuilding on his new property. Eli took work wherever he could, whether it was helping in the furniture shop or working on a construction crew for the company who occasionally employed his eldest brother, Jedidiah.

“I want to make and fix buggies and wagons.” Lapp’s Buggy Shop was his dream, and Eli wasn’t about to give it up.

“Opening a business is not easy, soohn. You should consider working with Noah,” Dat said. “Now that he has a family, your bruder may want to take on a partner. There will come a day when you will want to settle down.”

“Someday,” Eli said. But not now. There was no one special in his life. While he enjoyed the company of several girls at singings and church gatherings, he hadn’t found the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And until he had a successful business, which he hoped would be sooner rather than later, he wasn’t going to get serious with any girl. “I should go. Noah will be wondering why I’m late, and Jacob asked me to stop by on my way.” He started toward the barnyard, then halted and turned when his father spoke.

“Think about what I said.” Samuel rubbed his whiskered chin.

“I will.” He would think about partnering with Noah because his father had asked him to, but he doubted he’d change his mind. “I’ll see you later, Dat.”

With a nod, his father returned to his plow, and Eli climbed into the family’s open market wagon and headed toward his brother’s house, a small cottage on the edge of Horseshoe Joe’s property. He slowed his vehicle as he approached Jacob’s driveway. He wondered why his twin had asked him to come. Joe Zook, Jacob’s mentor, had invited Jacob into his blacksmith business two years ago after Jacob had stepped in to run Zook’s Blacksmithy while Joe recuperated from a serious leg injury. Since then he’d married the woman he’d always loved, Joe’s daughter Annie. His brother was blessed, and Eli was happy for him.

Jacob exited the house as Eli parked the buggy close to his brother’s cottage. “Jacob! Hallo!” He climbed out of his vehicle.

“Right on time.” His brother smiled as he approached. “I appreciate you stopping. Annie wants to visit Martha King with EJ. I have to work at the shop. I don’t want her out and about alone. I thought you could bring her since you’re headed that way.”

Martha’s farm was located between their house and Noah’s home and business. “I’d be happy to take her.” He understood Jacob’s concern. In the last trimester of her pregnancy, Annie was carrying their second child. EJ, Eli’s namesake and Jacob and Annie’s firstborn, was a toddler, and Eli realized that his brother didn’t want his pregnant wife driving their buggy while trying to manage their extremely active twelve-month-old son. “Do you need me to bring her home?”

“Nay. She’ll only be there a few hours. I should be able to slip away after I finish up with Amos’s mare and William Mast’s gelding. If I can’t get away, I’ll send Peter to bring her home.”

Annie came out of the house, holding her young son’s hand. “Eli! I’m surprised to see you here. Anything wrong?”

“Nay.” Jacob spoke up before Eli could answer. “Eli came to drive you to Martha’s.”

She scowled at her husband, but her loving look said that his concern pleased her. “Jacob, you worry too much.”

Jacob regarded her with warmth. “You’re my wife. I’ll always be concerned about you.”

She heaved a sigh. “If you insist, I’ll go with your bruder.” She addressed Eli. “Would you mind holding your nephew while I fetch a plate of brownies?”

“With pleasure.” Eli beamed as he lifted the little boy into his arms. “Hallo there, Elijah John.” He bounced the child until EJ gurgled with laughter. He recalled how pleased he’d been when Annie and Jacob had chosen to name their firstborn son after him. The fact that EJ had his coloring, blond hair and blue eyes, gave him cause to frequently tease his brother and sister-in-law. While he and Jacob were twin brothers, they looked nothing alike. They were fraternal twins. Jacob’s hair was as dark as his was golden. His brother had brown eyes while his were blue. Of course, EJ’s coloring might have been inherited from his fair-haired, blue-eyed mother and not his uncle. But it wouldn’t be any fun if he couldn’t tease his brother. “He’s growing so fast.”

“Ja, soon he’ll be as big as you,” Jacob joked, and Eli laughed.

Annie returned seconds later with the wrapped brownies. Jacob took the plate from her and set it in the back of the vehicle. He helped her up onto the bench seat of the wagon while Eli carried EJ around to the other side. He set his nephew in the middle of the seat beside Annie. He then slid in next to the boy and picked up the leathers.

“Be careful,” Jacob warned.

Annie shot him an irritated look. “He’s only driving us down the road, Jacob. I could have walked.”

Eli looked at her. “With EJ?” It would have been too far for her to walk with EJ.

Jacob eyed his wife with patience. “I want you to be safe,” he said, his expression tender.

“I know you do.” Annie blinked rapidly as if fighting tears. “You will come for me later?”

“Ja.” Jacob leaned closer to her through the open window. “If I can’t get away, I’ll send Peter,” he told her, referring to Annie’s younger sibling. He eyed Eli from across the vehicle. “Danki, bruder.”

“You’re willkomm, Jacob.” Eli waited as Jacob straightened before he flicked the leathers and drove off. Annie was quiet beside him as they left, but his nephew babbled incessantly in what sounded like baby Pennsylvania Deitsch, the language spoken within the Amish household. He shot them a glance as he steered his family’s mare toward the King farm. As if sensing his attention, his sister-in-law turned from the window and met his gaze. She smiled, and he grinned back, his right hand reaching out to lightly ruffle EJ’s hair while he returned his gaze to the increasingly busy road.

* * *

Martha Schrock King had opened the house windows to allow the warm spring breeze to filter in and freshen up the stale indoor air. She stood at her bedroom window, enjoying the light gust that caressed her face and rustled her clothing as she studied the yard below.

Spring had made her mark. The lawn was lush and green; the leaves on the trees were beginning to sprout light green while others showed the promise of rebirth in the tiny reddish-brown buds at the end of each tree branch.

She’d been alone in the house these past few weeks, and she was managing. There were memories of her husband in every room. She could almost hear his voice calling to her as he entered the house from outside. She and Ike had been married more than a year when he’d suffered a fatal heart attack while shoveling snow during an early heavy November snowstorm. During the winter months that followed, she’d had to come to grips with living the rest of her life alone. She would never know the joy of growing old with her husband nor experience the wonder of holding their baby son or daughter. But Ike’s death was Gottes wille and she prayed to the Lord daily for the strength to accept it.

Martha shifted her attention toward her farm fields. It was the season when families gathered to work up the soil and plant seed. Soon she’d have to find someone to help with the planting. She could appeal to the community, but the farm was hers, and eventually she would have to find a way to manage on her own. If she didn’t, she might have to sell the property and go home to Indiana.

Thoughts of Indiana made her think briefly of her former betrothed, John Miller. She had cared for him deeply and she’d thought he’d felt the same. But then John had chosen to leave the Amish way of life—and her. She had joined the church and would have been shunned if she’d gone with him. Not that he’d ever asked me. The knowledge still made her feel a little pang whenever she recalled the day he’d told her that he was leaving.

Martha straightened her spine. She must accept that her life hadn’t gone the way she’d envisioned. She had loved and lost two men—John and her husband, Ike. She sighed. There was no use questioning God’s plan. She would find the strength to rise above the challenge to become self-sufficient. Fortunately, Ike had left her enough money to last for several months, perhaps even a year if she was careful. But she needed to discover a way to earn income before there was nothing left to buy supplies, care for the animals and maintain the house.

As she turned from the window, she caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye. She groaned as she saw her first challenge. Two sheep had escaped from the pasture and were munching contently on the side lawn. Then she watched as her best dairy cow widened the fence opening as it followed the sheep.

Martha hurried downstairs. If she didn’t put them back where they belonged, the animals might wander into the road. As she raced outside, she made a quick decision to corral the sheep first. She eased toward the closest one, and when the animal bolted out of reach, she ran after it. Her attempts to corner her livestock became an unwelcome game of cat and mouse between her and the sheep as she raced about the yard in hot pursuit.

The animal stopped several feet away. Martha paused to catch her breath, hoping that if she remained still for a few minutes, the sheep would become too busy eating to notice when she approached. She bent over and rested her hands on her knees, peering at them in watchful anticipation. Straightening slowly, she took a small step toward it and then stopped. When the animal didn’t move, Martha eased closer, then froze when the sheep suddenly looked up from his food, gave her an evil look and took off. She spun toward the other lamb that stood within range, but it baaed loudly at her and scuttled away.

Determined, she gave chase, zigzagging back and forth in an attempt to block one and then the other’s escape. The sheep ran toward her Holstein, and Martha shrieked in frustration as the cow mooed and shifted into a loping run. She found herself running after three animals instead of two. She became dismayed when she heard bleating and noted the escape of a fourth animal—Millicent, her temperamental milk goat.

“Move!” she hollered as she ran about waving her hands in an attempt to herd them in the right direction. “Nay! Nay! This way!”

“Shoo! Shoo!” a deep voice exclaimed, startling her.

Martha spun and saw Elijah Lapp, her friend Annie’s brother-in-law, as he joined in the chase for her livestock. She gasped as something soft brushed past her—one of the escaped lambs.

Flashing her a grin, Eli raced after the animal. She started to follow but slowed when she spotted his vehicle parked in the dirt drive close to the farmhouse. Recognizing Annie seated in the market wagon with her young son, Martha waved at her before she renewed her efforts to capture and pen up her animals.

It felt like a comedy of errors to Martha as she and Eli ran about the yard in hot pursuit of four pesky farm critters. Eli reached to snatch the smaller lamb and nearly fell when it eluded his grasp. He righted himself as the lamb headed in her direction, and Martha extended her arms to capture it. She slipped to her knees but managed to get a firm grip on the sheep.

“Got him!” she cried. Triumphant, she grinned at Eli, who gave her a nod of approval before he went after the second lamb.

Where could she put it until the fence was repaired? Martha gave it some thought. In the barn. She fought to pick up the struggling animal as she stood, then stumbled into the building and locked it inside a stall before she left to rejoin Eli. Outside Eli had control of the cow and was urging her toward the barn.

“In the stable next to the sheep!” she instructed, and he immediately obeyed.

While Eli was inside the barn, Martha went after her wily goat. The beast bleated loudly as if daring Martha to capture her. Martha sprang forward just as the goat rammed into her. Taken by surprise, Martha wobbled and then fell face forward. She got a mouthful of grass and dirt as the animal took off behind her.

Martha rolled onto her side and lay a moment with her eyes closed. She counted to ten silently, unhappy to be bested by a stubborn she-goat. She thought she heard Annie cry out something, but she couldn’t be sure.

Sensing someone above her, she looked up and saw Eli gazing down at her with concern. “Are you all right?” he said huskily. He crouched down to examine her more closely, and she felt the sharp impact of his bright azure eyes.

“Ja, I’m unhurt.” She gave him a crooked smile. The only thing that ailed her was embarrassment.

Looking relieved, Eli rose and extended his hand toward her. Martha stared at it a moment, debating whether or not to accept his help. She lifted her gaze and noted his tousled hair along with the dirt streaks and grass clippings on his handsome face and on his clothing. Two animals were in their pens, but there were still two critters running loose. The young man’s appearance and her own state of disarray with messy hair and grass-stained frock suddenly struck her as hilarious. She began to laugh. Her laughter started as a wide smile, then became a chuckle before it blossomed into a full-out belly-clutching roar.

She could sense that Eli was startled as he stared at her in silence with his hand still extended. Then his features crinkled with amusement, and his blue eyes began to twinkle. His chuckle turned into a laugh as if he, like her, had realized suddenly the hilarity in their situation—two grown adults bested by livestock.

Her laughter felt wonderful; it had been a while since she’d felt this good. Martha reached for his hand, and Eli pulled her to her feet. Her loud outburst eased to a soft giggle. Then the thought came to her that this wasn’t proper behavior for a widow, and she quickly pulled herself together.

“What do ya think?” she asked him. “Can we get the last of them?”

“Ja.” He grinned. “Can’t let a couple of critters get the better of us.”

Martha couldn’t contain her chuckle. “I think they already have.”

“Not for long!” he exclaimed as he spun and gave chase to the goat that dared to come too close. “Bet I can grab him first!”

“Not if I get to her before you do!” she cried, taking off after him. The goat continued to elude them. This was the most fun that Martha had enjoyed in years, and she wasn’t going to feel guilty about it. She forgot about her sorrow and felt alive again, almost as if God was reminding her that she had her life to live.

Chapter Two

It took him and Martha over twenty minutes to capture the last two animals. While they chased them, Eli saw that his sister-in-law had climbed out of the buggy to wait. While he and Martha ran around, Annie kept her excited son firmly against her side while holding the plate of brownies in her other arm. His nephew clapped his hands and made gleeful noises as he and Martha finally cornered the goat and sheep. Diving for the lamb, Eli grabbed the animal while Martha caught the goat and fell to her knees to attain a better grip.

His breath came in harsh, rapid spurts, but Eli felt invigorated. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed a good run. As he studied Martha, he noted her disheveled appearance. He knew that he looked no better. His lips twitched, but Eli managed to control the urge to laugh.

“We should move slowly,” Martha whispered, as if speaking in a loud tone would cause the goat to escape from her arms.

He nodded. “Wouldn’t want one of ’em to get away,” he agreed softly.

“Ja. You want to go first or shall I?” She looked young and approachable with her white kapp slightly askew and grass stains on her matching cape and apron. The goat began to struggle in earnest, and Martha shifted to get a firmer grip. “Why don’t you head toward the barn first?”

“Oll recht,” he said, eyeing her with concern. “Are you sure you’ll be able to hold her?”

She beamed at him. “Ja. I’ve got her gut now. I’m not about to let her go.”

Eli inhaled sharply. He gazed at her, entranced. The widow was breathtaking when she was happy. Since her husband’s death, Martha had been quiet, reserved. She’d been sad and grief-stricken whenever he’d caught a glimpse of her during church and on visiting Sundays. But during the past hour, she’d smiled and laughed...and looked like the happy young woman she’d been on the day she’d married Ike King.

Martha frowned, and Eli realized that he’d been staring. He quickly picked up the lamb and carried the frightened animal across the yard and into the barn. He gently placed it in the stall with its sibling. Then he returned to assist Martha with the goat.

His gaze quickly sought her as Eli stepped out into the bright sunshine. The animal was trying to chew Martha’s kapp strings. Martha shifted the goat to keep the strings out of its reach. “Fence first?” he asked. “Or goat?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Fence. I can hold her awhile longer, and I don’t want any of the other animals to get out.”

There were cattle and other sheep grazing in the distance. Eli went to the fence and quickly made a repair. Then he returned to carefully lift the goat from her arms and set the animal inside the secured pasture. Martha stood and brushed dirt and bits of grass from the hem of her skirt and her apron as he rejoined her.

Smiling, he shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll be able to get out the stains without a washing.”

She flashed him a rueful smile. “Ja.” She fell into step with him and they headed toward Annie and EJ. “Danki for your help.”

“My pleasure. I enjoyed it.” He felt his heart thump hard as they locked gazes. Startled, he quickly refocused his attention on his sister-in-law. “Annie, Jacob or Peter will come for you later.”

Annie nodded, then released EJ, who stumbled toward him on unsteady legs. Eli swung the boy high and then into his arms. “I have to leave, buddy. Your uncle Noah needs me for deliveries. He’s probably wondering where I am.”

“I’m sorry.” Martha looked apologetic. “I’ve kept you from your work.”

“It was worth it,” he assured her and meant it. “I needed the exercise.” And he’d enjoyed seeing this other side of Ike King’s widow. He grinned. “I haven’t had this much fun in years.” He gave his nephew a hug, then set him down. “Be a gut boy for your mudder.” He laughed when the child beamed an innocent smile at him.

Annie caught her son’s hand and drew him tenderly to her side. “Jacob will be disappointed that he missed the chase.”

Eli shrugged. “I think we did well considering. Don’t you, Martha?” He studied her, saw her smile and nod. “And Jacob would have been thick in the middle of it with us if he’d been here.”

Martha lifted a hand to straighten her head covering, but her hairpins had shifted, making it impossible for her to fix it. “Would you like something to drink before you go?”

“Nay. I appreciate the offer.” He stifled the urge to help Martha with her kapp. He grabbed his hat from the front seat of the wagon, finger-combed his hair and put his hat back on his head. He became conscious of Annie’s regard.

“What exactly did Noah want you to do today?” Her blue eyes twinkled as she studied him.

“I’ll be making deliveries for him.” Eli groaned and briefly closed his eyes as he realized that he was in no condition to greet Noah’s customers.

His sister-in-law snickered. “Not looking as you do now.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “You’re not the same size as Noah, but I imagine he’ll have clean clothes you can borrow.”

“But will he have enough soap and water?” Eli heard Martha laugh as he climbed into the buggy. The sound rippled over him, making him smile.

“You can wash up in the house,” she suggested. “I may be able to find something clean for you to wear.” She paused when Annie whispered in her ear. Eyes widening, Martha gave a short gasp of laughter. “On second thought, maybe you should ask Noah.”

“Ja, you’d best get moving, Eli,” Annie urged. “It looks like you have your work cut out for you before you make deliveries.” Laughter lurked in her blue eyes, and Eli scowled playfully at her.

“Danki, Eli,” Martha said. “I couldn’t have caught them without your help.”

“You would have eventually,” Eli said, “but I’m glad I was able to assist.” He readjusted his hat before he reached for the leathers. “It may be a gut idea to have your fence checked.” He gave them each a nod. “Martha. Annie. Have a gut day.”

With a click of his tongue and a flick of the leathers, he drove the vehicle toward the main road. A quick glance back showed him that Martha watched his departure. He smiled. The widow lingered in his thoughts as Eli pulled into the graveled lot next to his brother’s furniture shop. He tied his mare to the hitching post and turned as Noah exited the building.

“Where’ve you been?” Noah asked as Eli approached. His brother gaped at him as they drew closer. “What happened to you?”

Eli removed his hat to run a hand through his hair. “I took Annie to Martha King’s for Jacob.”

“You had an accident!” Noah gasped, eyeing him with concern. “Annie—is she all right?”

“Ja, she is fine. But there was no accident. I had a run-in with two sheep, a cow and a goat.” He chuckled at his brother’s puzzled look. “I helped Martha with escaped livestock.”

“And you got to looking this way how?”

Eli smiled crookedly. “They’re wily critters. The cow wasn’t hard to corner, but Martha’s two sheep and goat were too cunning. Martha fared worse than me.” He felt his mouth twitch before he allowed laughter to escape. “I actually enjoyed the chase. But I’m afraid I can’t make deliveries looking like this.” He gestured at his clothing. “Do you have a clean shirt and pants I can borrow?”

“Ja.” Noah gazed at him with twinkling brown eyes that held mischief. “Rachel will enjoy a gut laugh when she sees you.”

Eli gave him a sour look. “I’m not going to the house. If you don’t care how I look, then I don’t.”

His brother’s amusement faded. Noah sighed. “They’re on the wall hook near the sink.”

“Danki.” Eli washed his face, neck and hands in the back room; then he dried his face with a clean towel from a stack on the shelf above the sink. As he changed his clothes, he thought of Martha. He envisioned her with her hair neat under a freshly laundered kapp. He imagined her wearing a purple dress with a clean black work apron. He smiled as he pulled the stopper on the sink and the water drained while he hung the towel to dry.

He rejoined Noah in the front room. “Better?”

“Better than what?” Noah joked. “The pants are a little short, but they’ll do. No one will notice but me.”

“Then I’m presentable enough for deliveries.”

“As gut as you can be,” his brother teased.

Eli snarled at him playfully. “Then let’s get to work. Do you have a list?”

“Ja.” Noah gave him a sheet of paper. As Noah explained about the pieces for delivery, Eli found his mind wandering...back to the King farm and the woman whose laughter had delighted him while lighting up her features.

“Eli! Pay attention!” his brother said sharply. “Did you hit your head while you were chasing animals?”

Eli thought of the impact of Martha’s smile. “Something like that,” he murmured before he made an effort to focus on work.

* * *

“I’d have loved to join the chase,” Annie admitted as she followed Martha into the farmhouse.

Martha picked up EJ to carry him inside. “It was fun, but I’m glad it’s over and they’re penned up again.” She smiled at the child’s resemblance to Eli. “It was exhausting—I was at it for a while before you and Eli came. Thank the Lord you did, or I’d still be chasing them.”

“I wish I had your energy,” Annie said with a sigh. “Lately I’ve been too tired to do much of anything. This little one here—” She gestured toward her son. “He keeps me busy. I’m glad it’s late April and the weather is finally warming again. I’ll have to take EJ outside to play often. Maybe he’ll tire himself out in the fresh air. Then I can have a long lie-down while he takes his nap.”

“’Tis wonderful to get out of the house, ja?”

Annie eased herself down onto a kitchen chair and gestured for Martha to set EJ on the floor beside her. She regarded her son with tender warmth. “Ja. It was a long winter. Especially for you.” She watched her son as he sat quietly and stared up at his mother. “He’s being a gut boy. Do ya have a pan or pot he can play with?”

“Ja, in the cupboard.” Martha opened a door and took out two pans along with a big metal stockpot. Then she dug into a drawer for wooden and metal spoons.

“You may regret giving those to him,” Annie warned as Martha placed the spoons inside the biggest pot and gently pushed it in the boy’s direction.

The toddler immediately reached for the spoon and began to bang on the sides of the pot. “I see what you mean,” Martha said with a laugh. Before EJ had a chance to protest, she switched the spoon for a plastic spatula. The child grinned at her happily, stuck the spatula in a pan and stirred it about.

“Have you started on your vegetable garden?” Annie asked conversationally when her son was settled.

“I worked up the soil, but I haven’t decided what to plant. You?”

Annie’s smile held regret. “No garden this year, I’m afraid.” She patted her pregnant belly. “I can’t bend to garden.”

“I’ll put it in for you,” Martha offered.

“You’re a gut friend, but I can’t let you do that.”

“Then I’ll bring you vegetables from mine,” Martha insisted and was pleased when Annie didn’t argue.

The women chatted and enjoyed tea while EJ played contently on the floor. Martha enjoyed the delightful morning spent in good company.

“What was all that whispering about?” Martha asked her friend as she had a surge of memory of Annie murmuring gibberish into her ear before instructing her to laugh, then encourage Eli to go to Noah’s.

Annie grinned. “Do you know what it’s like to be married to a twin? Eli is a consummate tease. I was just attempting to get one up on him.”

Martha chuckled. “I see.” She unwrapped Annie’s brownies and poured EJ a glass of milk while the boy’s mother encouraged him to climb onto her lap. Annie rewarded him with a cookie before she reached for a brownie.

Martha rejoined her friend at the table. A heavy knock resounded on her back door. “Who on earth...?” Answering it, she was startled to see her brother-in-law with three Lapp men—Samuel and his sons Jacob and Eli.

“Amos!” she exclaimed with surprise. “Is everything oll recht?”

“Ja, Martha, all is fine,” her brother-in-law assured her. “We’ve come to discuss your farm.”

An older version of her late husband, Amos wore wire-rimmed spectacles.

She allowed her gaze to stray briefly to the twins, especially Eli, who’d entered the house behind Amos and Samuel. Like the other men in the room, Eli had taken off his hat and held it. “I planned to seek your advice on who to hire to plant my fields.”

With a smile for his wife, Jacob went to Annie’s side and gathered EJ from her lap. The boy was happy to go to his father. Jacob smiled as he held his son close. “Martha, there’s no need to hire workers. We’d like to do the planting for you.” He hesitated before continuing. “We’ll need seed. We can order it for you.”

“’Tis already been bought.” She felt uncomfortable being the focus of so much male attention. “After Ike purchased the new equipment, he ordered and paid for seed in advance. He mentioned that delivery would be this spring, but I have no idea when.”

“Do you know where he bought it?” Eli asked, drawing her gaze.

“I have the receipt. I think he bought it from the same place as you, Amos.” She’d found the receipt on the floor near her clothes chest recently. After its discovery, she’d been thankful that Ike had prepaid for the seed. She didn’t know why he had, except that it might have had to do with his excitement over his new farm equipment.

“If you’ll get it, I’ll check on the delivery date for you. Will Wednesday of next week be gut for you?”

“But what of your own properties?” Martha was grateful for their help, but not at the risk of taking them from their own farmwork.

“We’ll be done before then,” Samuel assured her.

“Your help means a lot to me.” She felt the onset of emotional tears and blinked to clear them.

Eli smiled. “Friends and family help each other.”

The memory of his grimy face and dirty clothing as Eli had chased after her animals flashed into her mind. The pleasure from the image startled her. “I’ll get the receipt,” she said before she hurried upstairs to her old room. The bill of sale was right where she’d put it, inside the trunk near the foot of the bed she’d once shared with her husband. Then she returned quickly to the waiting men and handed Amos the receipt.

Her brother-in-law nodded with satisfaction as he studied it. “Ja, same place.” He stuck the receipt into the crown of his hat. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”

Martha inclined her head. “Danki.”

“Are you ready to go home?” Jacob asked his wife.

“Ja.” Annie smiled at her handsome husband, who lovingly cradled their young sleepy son. She turned to Martha. “It’s been a lovely day, Martha. Will you stop by our haus soon? We can visit while EJ naps,” she said.

“I’d enjoy that,” Martha agreed. “After the planting, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’ll make dessert for Wednesday,” Annie offered.

“No need. There will be more than enough food.” She’d make sure of it.

Amos and Samuel put on their hats as they stepped outside. Martha followed more slowly with Annie and Jacob. She watched as Jacob, using one hand, helped Annie into their vehicle before he handed her their son. Amos and Samuel stopped to talk near their vehicles. Then Amos got into his buggy and left, while Samuel Lapp waited by his vehicle as he looked back toward the house. “Martha, have you seen Eli?”

“Here, Dat,” Eli’s deep voice startled her from behind, causing her to spin to face him. “Martha.”

“Eli! I didn’t realize you were still inside.”

“Annie forgot EJ’s hat.” He held up the child’s small black-banded straw hat to show his father, and with a nod Samuel climbed into his vehicle.

Eli returned his attention to Martha. Her heart pounded as she gazed up at him. There was something about him with his golden locks, azure eyes and charming smile that did something strange to her insides. Alarmed by the feeling, she didn’t smile back.

“If you need anything, just ask,” Eli said. “All of us Lapps are handy with construction tools.”

“That’s kind of you.” And it got Martha to thinking. The house needed repairs. Maybe after the planting she could hire the Lapps.

“Eli?” his father called through the open buggy window.

“Coming, Dat.” He seemed reluctant to go. “It didn’t take long to finish Noah’s deliveries,” he said as if she’d asked. “Some customers weren’t at home. As you see, I found clean clothes.” He started to cross the yard, then paused to grin back at her. “Don’t be chasing livestock while I’m not here,” he teased.

Martha had to smile. “I won’t.” Senses tingling, she watched as he climbed into his father’s buggy and while they drove away from the farmhouse down her dirt lane. Eli Lapp was too charming, too handsome and too young—seven years younger—for her to give him another thought. She was getting ahead of herself. So what if she noticed an attractive man when she saw him? It didn’t mean anything. She was still determined to remain single and manage on her own.

Chapter Three

Martha carried a large chocolate cake as she exited her farmhouse. She smiled at Meg Stoltzfus, who waited on the front porch.

“Let me,” the girl said as she took the cake plate.

It was visiting Sunday. Meg, the young woman who’d stayed with her after Ike’s death and through the winter, wanted to ride with her to the Samuel Lapps, their hosts. Meg often visited or attended church with her since moving back home. Despite their ten-year age difference, Martha and Meg had become good friends.

“How does your vadder feel about your riding with me again?” Martha asked as they headed toward her buggy. She didn’t mind driving alone, but Meg wanted to come for reasons of her own, and Martha enjoyed the company.

Meg leaned inside Martha’s vehicle and set the cake on the back floor. She grinned as she straightened. “I enjoy the extra room. It feels crowded in the back of Dat’s buggy.”

Martha approached the Stoltzfuses’ carriage. “Morning, Arlin.” She smiled. “Nice to see you again. Missy, you, too.” Missy was Arlin’s wife. “I hope you don’t mind Meg coming with me again. She’s a wonderful girl. I enjoy her company, especially after the winter I had.” After Ike’s death.

Arlin’s stern, weathered face softened. “Staying with you was gut for her,” he admitted.

Meg’s four sisters were seated in the backseat of the vehicle. “Hallo.” The girls returned her greeting.

“Dat, can I ride with Martha, too?” Charlie, named Charlotte at birth, was Meg’s youngest sister. Charlie’s nickname had worked out well since Martha’s niece, who lived in Happiness, too, was also named Charlotte. The older Charlotte was happily married to Deacon Abram Peachy.

Arlin frowned while he seemed to struggle with his daughter’s request.

“I don’t mind if she rides with us, Arlin, but it’s entirely up to you.” Martha made the offer carefully; she didn’t want to offend.

“Ja, Dat, it will be fun if Charlie rides with us.” Meg beamed at him. “I promise we’ll take gut care of her. This afternoon we’ll ride home with you.”

Finally, Arlin gave a curt nod. “Oll recht,” he said, glancing back toward his youngest. “You may go with Martha and Meg.” There were murmurs from the backseat as Charlie scrambled from the vehicle on her mother’s side. He held up a hand. “Don’t ask!” he warned his other daughters. “The rest of you will ride with your mudder and me this morning.”

Ellie Stoltzfus leaned forward between her mother and father. “We are comfortable right here with you, Dat.”

The man’s expression softened. “We should go,” he said gruffly. “Katie will be wondering where we are.”

Friends and families gathered to spend time with each other on visiting Sundays. Unlike church days when service started early, visiting occasions began leisurely with folks leaving for their destination midmorning. Martha enjoyed visiting family and friends.

“I’ll follow you,” Martha told Arlin, and the man nodded.

As Arlin steered the horse back toward the main road, Martha, Meg and Charlie climbed into Martha’s vehicle, and Martha drove her horse to follow. The Lapp farm was on the opposite end of their village. As they drove past the William Mast property, Martha spied William and Josie approaching in their gray family buggy. “Morning, William. Josie,” she called. She waved to the couple and their three children, who happily waved back. Martha continued to steer past Jacob and Annie’s house, the Joseph Zook farm and Zook’s Blacksmithy.

“Looks like Jacob and Annie may have already left,” Meg commented. “I don’t see anyone at their house.”

“Ja,” her sister said. Charlie leaned forward and gestured past Meg and Martha toward a residence on the left side of the road. “Look! There are Noah and Rachel. And their baby!”

Martha caught sight of Rachel and Noah exiting their house. “Noah! Rachel!” She slowed her buggy and waved.

The couple grinned and returned the wave. “Martha! Heading over to Mam and Dat’s?” Noah said as he cradled his daughter lovingly against his chest.

“Ja. ’Tis a great day for visiting.”

“Ja, a fine one indeed,” he called back pleasantly. “We’ll see you when we get there.”

“Who else do you think will be coming?” Meg asked as Martha drove on to catch up with Arlin.

“Not Reuben Miller, if that’s why you’re wondering,” Charlie said. “Ya know he’s not from our church district. Mostly likely, he’ll be visiting his own friends and neighbors.”

Meg got quiet. “I didn’t ask about him.”

Martha shot her a sympathetic look. “Have you seen him recently?” This past winter Martha had become Meg’s confidante. She’d heard all about Meg’s feelings for Reuben Miller, who had shown an interest in the girl last year at a youth singing. Reuben had sat across from Meg and paid her special attention during two additional singings, but then had become noticeably absent ever since. “Meg?”

“Nay.” Meg kept her eyes on the road ahead. “It’s been a while.”

“The Zooks will be there,” Charlie offered, obviously trying to cheer up her sister. “Peter should be with them.”

“Peter.” Meg groaned. “The last thing I need is that boy following me with those dark puppy dog eyes of his.”

“Meg, what’s the matter with you?” her sister exclaimed. “Peter is a nice boy, and he likes you.” She sighed dramatically. “And he’s so handsome.”

“Too handsome for his own gut,” Meg replied irritably. She drew a sharp breath. “Reuben is nice and as handsome as Peter.”

“I’m sure he is,” Martha interjected. “But I imagine that your sister is concerned because Reuben doesn’t visit you as often as he should. Peter clearly likes you and wants nothing more than to make you happy.” Directly ahead, Arlin slowed his horse, and Martha followed suit, pulling to rein her horse behind him. “I’ve never seen Peter bother you or be a nuisance to anyone.”

Meg shrugged. “Just ’cause he keeps his distance doesn’t mean he’s not annoying,” she said stiffly.

Martha stifled a smile. Meg always reacted strongly whenever Peter Zook’s name was mentioned, a strange thing considering her claims that she harbored no feelings for him.

“Reuben’s probably busy with farmwork,” Meg offered.

“Ja, most likely,” Charlie said softly as she leaned in her seat to be closer to Meg. “I only want you to be happy, Meg. I hope Reuben visits you soon since you like him so much.”

Meg rewarded her with a smile. “I know you want me to be happy, Charlie. I want the same for you.” She stayed silent a moment. “What if Reuben thinks I’m not interested in him? Maybe that’s why he’s stayed away.”

Martha doubted it but kept her thoughts silent. “The Kinzer Fire Company Mud Sale is in June. So is the Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction. Maybe you’ll see Reuben at those events.”

Mud sales were fundraising events exclusive to Lancaster County, where the Amish community helped to raise money for local fire departments. Each Saturday throughout the spring, members of their Happiness community donated craft and other items to be auctioned off to the highest bidder as well as food for sale for those attending the event. Mud sales got their name because typically the ground was muddy in the aftermath of spring rain showers when these sales or events took place. Those who attended mud sales frequently knew enough to bring their rain boots.

During the winter months, she and Meg had crocheted pot holders, sewn aprons and made other craft items for local mud sales. Most of their items would go to the two sales she had mentioned to Meg—the Kinzer Fire Company Mud Sale and the Lancaster County Carriage Auction—because they benefited the fire companies closest to their Happiness community. Every weekend through late winter and early spring there’d be other mud sales at different locations. There were also one or two that took place during August.

“He did tell me he’d worked as auctioneer at the Kinzer Mud Sale two years ago,” Meg said brightly.

Martha smiled as she continued to follow Arlin’s vehicle as it turned onto the dirt road to the Samuel Lapp farm. “Then there’s a gut chance you’ll see him there.”

“Look! There’s Annie!” Charlie exclaimed as Martha parked her buggy in the side yard next to Arlin’s vehicle. The girl waved vigorously through the side window. “Annie!”

Annie Lapp grinned as she saw them. Arlin and the rest of Meg’s family got out of their vehicle, the girls quickly following their mother toward the house.

Martha caught sight of Eli Lapp surrounded by a laughing group of community girls. Clearly he was a favorite with them. Martha sighed. Had she been that carefree at their age?

She climbed down from her buggy, retrieved the chocolate cake from the back floor and followed Meg and Charlie to Annie’s side. “Hallo, Annie,” she said after the Stoltzfus sisters had greeted her good friend and moved on. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’m feeling great today.” Her friend lowered her voice. “EJ has been taking long naps, and I’ve been able to get some rest.” The fact that the boy remained quiet and content within his mother’s arms confirmed it. Annie’s gaze settled on Martha’s plastic cake tote. “Is that chocolate cake?”

“Ja, with dark fudge frosting.”

“You better hide it from Noah. He loves anything chocolate.” Annie smiled fondly at the mention of her brother-in-law’s enthusiasm for chocolate. “He’s liable to eat several slices before it’s time to eat.”

Martha chuckled at the idea of hiding her cake. “Is he that bad?”

“He doesn’t just enjoy it,” Annie told her. “He’s obsessed with it.”

Martha laughed outright. “Consider myself warned.”

Rachel Lapp waved at them as her husband, Noah, drove past and parked in the line of vehicles. Meg and Charlie met the young couple, hoping to hold their baby daughter.

“Rachel is looking well,” Martha commented as she watched Meg reach for baby Katherine. “Being a mother must agree with her.” She smiled at Annie. “I know it does you.”

“I’m feeling well and I’m happy. Jacob is excited about being a vadder again.” Her friend’s expression softened. “I’m afraid he expects us to have eight children like his mudder,” she whispered with a laugh. “As if two kinner aren’t enough to handle at the moment. He forgets that I’m not as young as his mam was when she had Jedidiah.”

Martha eyed her friend warmly. “You want them, too.” How she wished she could have had a family, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Ja, I do,” Annie admitted with a chuckle. “We’ll see what the Lord has in store for us.”

A burst of laughter drew Martha’s gaze once again toward Eli. The girls surrounding him were giggling at something he said, as he was grinning, obviously pleased with his audience.

“I wonder if Eli will ever settle down,” Annie said.

Martha studied the young man objectively. “Those girls like him.”

“And he enjoys their company, but never once has he shown serious interest in any one of them. Jacob says it’s because Eli is determined to open his own business first. He’s been working and saving for it for years.”

“What kind of business?” Martha asked, more curious than she should be.

“A carriage shop.”

“Here in Happiness?”

Annie shifted her son onto her other hip. “Ja. Says he wants to provide a service to our community.”

Which said a lot about Eli Lapp, Martha thought as she watched him break from the group and head toward Noah and Jacob, who had stopped to talk near the barn.

Rachel approached with Meg and Charlie, who was now holding the baby. As they joined them, talk became centered on the infant.

“She’s the sweetest baby,” Charlie said as she studied the child in her arms, drawing a smile from little Katy’s mother.

“She’s growing too quickly,” Rachel said.

“Ja, it can seem that way,” Annie agreed. Her son wiggled within her arms, and she set him on his feet. “Stay here, EJ.” She kept a firm eye on him. “Every time I see him it seems as if he’s grown another half inch.”

The women laughed. “Do you know how much a half inch is?” Meg Stoltzfus said. She showed the group with the space between her two fingers. “I wonder how you can tell EJ’s size, as active as he is. He barely stays still.”

“Except when he’s asleep,” Annie pointed out. She reached to grab hold of her son’s hand to keep him close.

“A mudder can see the changes,” Missy Stoltzfus said, joining the women in time to overhear her daughter and Annie’s conversation. She had returned from inside the house.

“I’m glad you agree.” She flashed Meg a teasing look.

Katie exited the house and approached. “What a lovely day! Do you think the boys will want to play ball?” She reached down to run her fingers through her grandson’s baby-fine blond hair.

“Peter will.” Annie smiled at her mother-in-law. “Ach, and here he comes now with my mudder and vadder.” Horseshoe Joe had pulled his buggy into the yard and parked it next to Noah’s.

“Your dat has been doing well since his accident,” Martha said.

Annie beamed. “Ja, ’tis hard to believe that two years ago he was unable to walk after he fell from his ladder.”

“We’ve had much to be thankful for,” Katie agreed.

“How are Josiah and Nancy?” Missy asked referring to Annie’s older brother and his wife, Nancy, who was Martha’s niece.

Josiah Zook had married Amos and Mae King’s daughter Nancy last year.

“They are doing well.” Annie picked up her son, who squirmed and tried to get away. “EJ, be still.”

“I’ve never seen Nancy happier,” Rachel said of her cousin.

Martha knew that Rachel had lived with her King relatives when she’d first arrived in Happiness. The schoolteacher’s cottage had been under construction back then. Once the house was complete, Rachel had moved from her aunt and uncle’s into her new home. Noah had been one of the men who’d worked on the teacher’s house. After Rachel and Noah had wed, they’d lived in the cottage until a new house could be constructed for them elsewhere.

Peter stood chatting with a group of young Amish men near the buggies. Martha eyed him a moment and turned to study Meg, who seemed annoyed by the young man. Anne’s younger brother broke away from his friends to saunter in their direction. He smiled when he saw EJ in his sister’s arms. “I’ll take him,” he offered as he reached for his nephew, who was clearly happy to see him.

Annie smiled gratefully as she handed off her son. “He’s a bit of a handful today.”

“He’s fine,” Peter said with a smile for the child. “He’ll be a gut boy for his onkel Peter, ja?” He casually glanced in Meg’s direction. “Hallo, Meg. You’re looking well.”

Meg narrowed her gaze. “Peter,” she acknowledged stiffly. When he looked back to EJ and walked away, the young woman appeared miffed that he hadn’t paid her more attention.

Martha hid a smile. She had felt the increasing tension between Peter and her young friend. Meg doesn’t know it yet, but she may be sweet on him.

“Let’s go inside, ja?” Katie suggested. “’Tis a nice day but not as warm as I’d thought. May I help carry anything?”

Martha shook her head when Katie offered to take her chocolate cake. “I can manage.” She grinned. “I hear I should keep careful watch over this cake. Apparently there is someone in your family who may try to steal a piece before we’re ready to serve it.”

Katie laughed. “Ja, Noah, for certain. I’m afraid that most of my boys are partial to chocolate cake.” She smiled. “Except for Jed. Jed prefers Sarah’s cherry pie.”

Martha accompanied the ladies toward the house. Eli and Jacob came up from behind them. The twins were deep in conversation, oblivious to the women before them. She saw Eli nudge his brother’s arm with his elbow as he murmured something in Jacob’s ear. The two brothers laughed, the sound deep, masculine and joyful. Martha turned and found that she couldn’t tear her gaze from them as they drew closer to the women.

Suddenly as if he sensed his wife’s presence, Jacob glanced in her direction, his gaze brightening as it settled on his wife. He gave her a special smile. “Annie.”

“Jacob.” She nodded solemnly. “Gossiping again?”

He blinked as if taken aback. “Nay, I—we’re—” He apparently saw Annie’s smile because his lips curved up as he closed the short distance between them. “Trying to start trouble, wife?”

Annie blinked up at him innocently. “Nay, husband. I wouldn’t start trouble. ’Tis not the Lord’s way.”

Martha heard Jacob’s answering chuckle. She witnessed the couple exchange loving looks, and she wondered what it would have been like if Ike had cared for her as much as Jacob loved Annie.

An odd tingling started at her nape and traveled the length of her spine. Martha inhaled sharply when she realized Eli Lapp was staring at her. She experienced the urge to look away but didn’t. As their gazes locked and held, Martha heard Annie and Jacob talking, but their words were lost on her.

“Eli. Jacob. Would you bring out the other table?” Katie called.

“Ja, Mam.” Eli broke eye contact as he and Jacob continued past them to climb the porch steps. The memory of his expression made it difficult for her to concentrate...and to breathe.

Martha and Katie followed the twin brothers into the house, while Rachel went to have a word with her husband. Missy and her daughters stayed behind and continued to chat with Annie and her mother, Miriam, along with Alta Hershberger, who just had arrived. Martha tried to force her reaction to Eli from her mind as she entered Katie’s kitchen, and she was successful until he and Jacob came out from another room carrying a small table. Then he was gone, and she could breathe again. “There is a lot of food, Katie,” she said with a smile.

“Plenty enough for all of us,” the woman agreed.

Martha wondered where she should put her cake plate as she looked over the kitchen countertop and trestle table.

“Chocolate?” Eli asked, startling her as he came up from behind.

She gave a nod but didn’t turn around until he added teasingly, “Quick, hide it. Noah’s coming.” She faced him and immediately noted his sparkling blue eyes and the way his male lips curved upward.

Her face warmed as she felt an instant attraction. She didn’t know whether it was his good humor or his teasing that appealed to her. Martha grinned, taken again by this playful side of him. “And you think I should give you the cake?”

“I can hide it for you.” He gave her a mock frown. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Should I?” He amused her.

“Ja, you can trust me.” His voice was soft and her nape tickled again as she found herself doing just that. She handed him the cake. “I’ll put it in the back room,” he whispered.

She inclined her head. They heard Noah and Rachel as they entered the house. Eli slipped into the backroom while Martha stayed as Katie greeted the couple and smiled at her grandchild.

“Here’s my little grossdochter!” She beamed at the infant. “May I hold her?” She held out her hands.

Noah smiled as he handed the child to his mother. “Katy is a gut girl, Grossmudder. She slept until after seven this morning.”

“Wonderful!” her grandmother exclaimed as she held the baby close.

As Eli returned from the back room, Martha felt a little jolt in her midsection the moment his intense blue gaze sought and met hers. “Safe and sound,” he mouthed, causing her to smile.

Noah sniffed the air. “Do I smell chocolate?”

Martha regarded Eli with raised eyebrows before she went to check where he had put the cake—on the washing machine. He must have taken a peek beneath the plastic covering, as the scent of chocolate permeated heavily in the air and had filtered into the kitchen.

“It looks delicious,” a male voice murmured in her ear.

“Eli!” she gasped and turned, her heart beating wildly. “You startled me.”

His eyes twinkled. “I couldn’t resist taking a look, but I didn’t touch it.”

She narrowed her gaze as she saw his expectant expression. “And now you want a piece,” she guessed.

His handsome mouth curved into a grin. “Ja.”

“I shouldn’t give you one.” She sighed dramatically, but she wasn’t really upset. She was pleased that he was eager to try it. “I may as well bring it into the kitchen. There’s no hiding it from your bruder now.”

Eli looked delighted. “Then I may have a piece now?”

Martha chuckled as she picked up the cake and carried it into the other room. “One. You may have one slice.” She grabbed a knife from among the utensils on the table. She sliced a piece, set it on a plate and gave it to him.

“Danki,” he whispered, beaming.

“Do I get one, too?” Noah eyed Eli’s cake plate with a hungry look.

“Ja, of course. Big piece or little?”

“Bigger than Eli’s.” He flashed Eli a grin and then watched eagerly as she served him a slice of cake. His warm brown eyes gleamed with appreciation as he cut a mouthful with his fork and raised it to his lips. “I love chocolate.”

Martha smiled. “I never would have guessed.”

Eli beamed at her. “We all do.”

“Ja,” Noah said as he raised a forkful to his mouth.

“Noah Jeremiah Lapp!” his wife scolded. Rachel winked as Noah stiffened before turning to her with a guilty look.

“Cake before dinner?” Rachel said with hands on her hips.

His expression warmed as he stepped closer. “It’s chocolate.”

Her brow cleared. “Ah, I didn’t realize. I certainly can’t have you missing out on a piece. After all, it may be all gone if you wait until after you’ve eaten a proper meal.”

She laughed when Noah blushed.

“It could be all gone,” Eli defended as he and Martha exchanged amused glances. He dipped his fork into the cake, brought it to his lips.

Martha couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him. “I should have brought two.” She covered the cake with the plastic lid. “Time to put it away before there’s none left.”

“Gut idea,” Rachel said after she and Martha had shared a smile. When Noah was finished, she grabbed hold of his arm. “We need to go outside.”

“Eli? Are you coming outside?” a young voice called into the house.

Eli smiled at Mary Peachey as the young woman entered the room. “Soon,” he told her. He didn’t leave immediately but continued to eat his cake. “That was delicious,” he declared after he’d eaten his last bite. Unlike Noah, who had rushed through his piece, Eli had savored every bite slowly.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she said.

“I wouldn’t mind a second helping, but I won’t ask,” he added quickly when he saw her disapproval.

“Gut,” she replied, trying hard not to be persuaded by his little boy smile.

He shrugged. “I should go.” He paused to study her a long moment. “Danki for the cake.”

“You’re welcome.” She turned to search for Katie.

“Mam’s outside,” he said as if he’d read her mind.

Turning from his appreciative look, Martha refused to be charmed like the young girls who waited for him. She continued to feel his gaze on her as she crossed the yard to join Katie, Rachel and the other women who had gathered on the back lawn.

She knew the exact moment when he rejoined his friends. The girlish laughter that immediately came from the group at his arrival grated in her ears. Martha frowned. Why would she care who he spent his time with?

He took that moment to lock gazes with her. A small teasing smile played about his lips, making her heart race despite the fact that she didn’t want to notice or feel the slight hitch in her breathing.

“You can bring chocolate cake anytime,” he mouthed. A young girl drew his attention, and Martha looked away.

She had to admit that Eli was both handsome and kind, and if she’d been younger, never married and had never suffered a broken heart, she might have felt differently. Like the giggling girls across the yard, she might have welcomed the man’s attention. But she wasn’t young and she wasn’t looking for another husband or beau of any age.

Twice men had disappointed her. She wouldn’t allow one to disappoint her a third time. Especially a man like Elijah Lapp.

Chapter Four

Martha enjoyed a pleasant visiting Sunday before heading home after the midday meal. It had been nice to see her friends. Watching the Lapps with their extended family, she’d felt the love and the joy that filled their lives.

She regretted not having a family of her own, one that she’d never have now that Ike was dead. There were times she’d wanted to see her parents and siblings, but they rarely ventured from Indiana and had come to visit only once, for her wedding. She had no intention of visiting her childhood home. There were memories there, hurtful memories. It was there that her sweetheart had asked her to marry him...before he’d changed his mind and chosen to leave their Amish life for the English world.

She loved her Happiness community. The people here had welcomed her with open arms from the first. They were always available for whatever she needed. She had made many friends, and her brother-in-law, Amos, his wife, Mae, and their children were her family. While she wished she could see her mam, dat, her bruder, Micah, and sister, Ruth, she knew that this was where she belonged. She had married Ike and made this community her home. Why would she want to leave? It had taken Ike some time to ask to court her and then become his bride. They had been seeing each other for months at community gatherings before he’d made his intentions known.

As she steered her horse onto her dirt driveway, Martha recalled how nervous Ike had been on the day he’d asked her to be his bride. Once news reached the church community that he finally had popped the question, no one had seemed surprised.

“Took him long enough,” Mae had said. “But don’t ya fret, Martha—Ike will be a gut husband. I know he thinks highly of you. He’s been working up the nerve to ask you.” The fact that Ike had discussed her with his family was unusual, as courting was done discreetly and never discussed outside the involved couple until it became serious when the banns were read in church.

Hearing news of the impending marriage, Annie had confided to Martha that she’d wondered what had taken him so long to propose. Everyone had noticed the way Ike had followed Martha with his gaze at community gatherings.

Before the wedding, gossip about Ike’s earlier interest in Annie had caused Martha moments of unease. Since Annie was her closest friend, Martha had gone to her for the truth.

“Ja, he asked to court me,” Annie had said, “but not because he cared for me. He simply assumed that I’d grab my last chance for a husband.” Her friend had eyed her with concern. “Martha, you’ve nothing to worry about. Ike didn’t love me. His wife had passed on just a short time before he moved back to Happiness. He never once looked at me the way he looks at you. I have to admit I did give marrying him some thought, but only because I was determined to steer clear of young attractive men like Jacob. I’d had my heart broken by Jedidiah, and I wasn’t looking to get hurt again. Jacob loved me, and I fell in love with him, too.”

“You were meant to be together,” Martha had agreed with a smile.

“I didn’t even have to tell Ike. His interest had turned elsewhere.” She’d regarded Martha with warmth. “He’d met you.”

The day of their wedding was the happiest day of her life. Their first seven months of marriage had been wonderful; she was in love with her new husband, who was kind and attentive. Later, after he’d become disappointed that she hadn’t conceived, Ike had changed. He no longer paid her much attention. He’d spent all of his time on farmwork and looking for new farm equipment. She’d been upset when the shiny new equipment had arrived, but she’d kept silent. She couldn’t have stopped him from making the purchase. He was in charge of the farm and she the house. If her husband could afford it, why shouldn’t he have the best tools?

The men were coming to her farm for the spring planting on Wednesday. They would have a chance to use Ike’s equipment then. She had food to prepare and the house to clean. Meg, Charlie and Nell Stoltzfus would arrive tomorrow morning to help her get ready for the workers.

As she’d exited her buggy and approached the house, she couldn’t help but notice, as she had many times, the repairs that were needed to the farmhouse. Despite her gentle requests to fix things, Ike had turned a blind eye to the problems. He had bought this farm with its large English farmhouse incomplete. It must have used a lot of her late husband’s money and time to finish the house enough to live in it. He had grown tired of working on it or had stopped caring about needed repairs.

“I own the house free and clear, Martha,” he’d told her on the day she’d agreed to be his wife. “The house wasn’t finished, but I got it done and did most of the work myself. I paid someone to do the plumbing.”

Martha had stared at the brick house and thought it sturdy but too big.

“Someday we’ll have children to fill the bedrooms,” he’d told her.

Martha had blushed. That was a lot of bedrooms to fill, and she wasn’t a teenager with years ahead of her to have that many babies.

“Ya do want kinner?” Ike had asked, watching her closely.

Martha had nodded. “I love kinner.” And he’d looked relieved.

“We will be happy together, Martha.” His smile had been warm, and she’d felt loved. But there had been no babies during their time as man and wife.

Ike was a good man. She missed him, but she wondered how their relationship would have fared with no children. She’d been deeply hurt by his change in behavior, as if he’d believed that she’d defied him on purpose by not getting pregnant. As if it hadn’t been Gottes wille.

We married for better or worse. Ike had been an active member of the Amish church. If he’d loved her, her husband would have accepted their marriage and their life together with or without children.

Martha sighed. She had to stop thinking about what should have been instead of what was.

“I will manage,” she murmured as she entered the big empty house alone. Ike had left her a nice nest egg, which would tide her over for several months. If the farm produced well this season, then she would be set for another year. She was glad that the property was paid for and the only thing she needed to be concerned about were life’s basics and whatever she needed to keep up with the farm. She needed to fix the things that Ike had ignored, for she could ignore them no longer. She knew that the Lapp men did carpentry work for the community. She could hire them to do the repair work.

Monday morning, Martha was cleaning the kitchen after breakfast when the Stoltzfus sisters arrived. She’d baked earlier and set out a plate. “Muffins?” she asked.

“We ate before we came,” Meg said. “Perhaps later with tea after we’re done?”

Martha smiled. “I made blueberry, chocolate chip and sweet.”

“I wouldn’t mind one now,” Charlie said. When Meg looked at her, the girl blinked. “What? I didn’t eat much breakfast.”

“Tea, anyone?” Martha asked.

“Nay.” Charlie happily took a bite. “May I have some water?”

“I’ll have a cup of tea.” Nell, the eldest sister, came in from the outside. “I went to check on your animals,” she told Martha. “They look well. Have you given thought to selling any of your baby goats?”

Martha shook her head. “Nay. Do you know someone who is interested?”

“Ja, me.”

“Nell, what will Dat think if you come home with another animal?” Meg asked with a shake of her head.

“He’ll think it a gut idea,” Nell assured her. “Martha, I’d like a female if you’re willing to part with it. Think about it and name your price. Then let me know. Ja?”

“Nell loves animals and is always looking to add to our livestock.” Charlie took a sip from the water Martha had given her and set the glass down.

“I’ll think about it,” Martha said. She owned several goats. She probably could part with one or two.

Katie Lapp and Martha’s sister-in-law Mae arrived next. “I didn’t expect you to come,” Martha said with surprise as she held open the door for them.

Katie smiled as she entered. “We wanted to help.”

Mae followed Katie inside with a pie plate in her arms. “Snitz pie,” she declared.

Martha grinned as she accepted it. “Sounds delicious. Danki, Mae.”

The women dispersed to different rooms to give the house a thorough cleaning. Martha was a good housekeeper, so the work didn’t take long.

When they were done, the women gathered in Martha’s kitchen for refreshments. Martha made tea and coffee and set out the Snitz pie and the plateful of muffins and another dish of homemade cookies. As they ate, they caught up on community news and then left before early afternoon.

Martha needed to buy groceries to fix Wednesday’s food. She decided to make a quick stop on her way to the market to check on her friend Annie.

“Martha, what a pleasant surprise!”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d be resting.” She’d brought the last of the Snitz pie and made Annie up a basket of baked goods.

Her friend smiled. “EJ finally fell asleep, and I’ve just put on the tea kettle. Would you like a cup?”

“Nay, I should go so that you can have some quiet time and rest.” The teakettle whistled, and she insisted on making Annie’s tea. “After your baby’s born, I’ll come to help.” She would live to enjoy others’ children since she couldn’t have any of her own.

Annie blinked against tears. “You’re a true friend, Martha. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Gut.” Warmed by their friendship, Martha cut Annie a slice of Snitz pie. “I have a few things to be repaired at the house.”

“How many things?”

Martha grimaced. “A lot.”

“Jacob’s father and bruders are fine carpenters. They built this haus.”

“I remember. I thought about asking them, but I know they’re busy with farmwork. Do you think they’ll agree to take a look when they have time?”

“Ja. I’m sure they will.” She leaned back in her chair and placed a hand on her pregnant belly. “If the others are otherwise engaged, Eli can do your repairs. He takes on extra work wherever he can find it.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the memory of Eli Lapp’s teasing grin. “To save money for his carriage shop,” she murmured.

“Ja. I told you about that, didn’t I?”

Martha nodded. “Would you like me to check on EJ before I go?”

“Would you?” Her friend appeared grateful, and Martha headed upstairs to the child’s bedroom. EJ slept with his legs curled beneath him with his little derriere pointed upward. She could see his sweet face; the little boy looked vulnerable and adorable. And he made Martha long for a baby of her own. She returned to the kitchen and her friend. “He’s still napping.”

“I love to watch him sleep,” Annie admitted. She started to rise.

“Sit,” Martha ordered gently. “You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine.”

But she didn’t look fine to Martha. Annie looked exhausted and uncomfortable, seated at the kitchen table with her eyes closed.

“Shall I get Jacob for you?”

Annie blinked her eyelids open. “Nay, he has too much to do today.” There was love in her gaze and deep affection in her tone.

“Stay home Wednesday, Annie.” Martha filled the dish basin in the sink, then collected her friend’s cups and plates.

“You don’t have to wash those.”

Martha turned to her with raised eyebrows. “Ja, I do. You’ve been a gut friend to me, Annie. It’s the least I can do.” She dried and put away the dishes. When she was done, she saw that her friend had fallen asleep in the kitchen chair.

“Annie,” Martha whispered, touching her shoulder lightly. “Let me help you to bed. You should lie down before EJ wakes up.”

Annie nodded and pushed back her chair. Martha took hold of her arm and Annie leaned against her as Martha walked her to her bedroom and helped her into bed. “I’ll come back to check on you later.”

Annie had already closed her eyes. “No need. Jacob said that he would be home early.”

“Rest. I shouldn’t have stopped.” Martha placed the small quilt at the end of the bed over Annie.

“Nay,” her friend murmured. “I enjoyed your company.”

EJ’s bedroom was in the next room. If the toddler woke up, his mother would hear him. “I’ll lock the doors on my way out.”

“Danki,” Anne whispered.

As she stepped outside, Martha was surprised to see Jacob and Eli ending a discussion. Jacob headed toward Zook’s Blacksmithy while Eli walked to his vehicle with a tool belt draped over his arm. She was surprised to see his buggy alongside hers.

As if sensing her presence, Eli glanced in her direction. “Martha,” he greeted her with a respectful nod. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

“Eli.” She couldn’t help notice that the blue of his eyes matched the azure sky above. “Just stopped to check on Annie. Mae made Snitz pie, and I thought to share it.”

He smiled. “That was kind of you.”

“Annie is my friend.”

“Still I’m sure she appreciated your thoughtfulness.” He reached up as if to climb into his vehicle.

“May I speak with you?” Martha asked before she could change her mind. It was the perfect opportunity to see if he was interested in doing her house repairs.

“Ja.” He faced her with eyes filled with curiosity.

“I know that you, your vadder and your bruders are skilled carpenters. I’d like to hire you to do some work on my haus, if you’re interested.” She didn’t know why she suddenly felt jittery inside. She would have to get used to hiring people and taking care of the things that her late husband had handled in the past.

His blue gaze brightened. She saw that she’d piqued his interest. “We can stop by if you’d like,” he said pleasantly. “Give you an estimate.”

She felt relieved. “That would be wonderful. Danki.”

“May we come tomorrow?” he asked when she turned to leave.

Martha faced him. “Morning?”

His expression filled with warmth. “What time?”

“Come anytime. I’ll be there all morning.” She felt her heart beating wildly as she turned back to her buggy and reached for a handhold. Eli was suddenly beside her, silently offering his assistance. Their gazes locked. His features held only polite indifference. Relieved, she allowed him to help her into her vehicle. After he released her fingers, she could still feel the warmth of his firm, gentle grasp. She opened her mouth but was suddenly at a loss for words.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Martha.”

She didn’t answer him, which bothered her as she sat a moment and watched while he sprang up into his wagon. Their gazes met, held, until he touched the brim of his hat and dipped his head.

Martha watched him leave before she followed the same path toward the road. The memory of their brief encounter stayed with her as she drove toward the market, while she shopped, paid for her groceries, then drove home.

Later that evening she scolded herself for worrying needlessly about her reaction to Eli Lapp. She finally put things into perspective. He was her friend’s son, and he’d been kind to her. Gratitude. That was all it was.

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