The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming Page 11

  Staring into Grace Zook’s blue eyes, not blinking, he finally realized what was going on.

  “Oh,” was all he could utter.

  Grace dipped her gaze to stare down at the ground. He was grateful, for the shock of what he’d just realized had stunned him into silence, too.

  He’d wondered why the woman ran so hot and cold toward him. He wasn’t naive; he knew she wasn’t overjoyed about him being there to train Cincinnati—apparently, she’d assumed it was her job. But how was that Isaac’s fault?

  He also hadn’t been naive about the moments she’d been, well, friendly with him. Maybe overly friendly, now that he thought about it. Her giggles, gazes, and spirited touching that had seemed so out of place. Not that he hadn’t enjoyed the attention. Despite her odd behavior, Grace Zook was still as attractive and interesting as the first day he’d seen her. And all the time, she hadn’t known he was single.

  Isaac understood now why she was embarrassed.

  “I get it.” He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, his head feeling hot and heavy—but not from being in the sun. “Grace, I…” Before he said what he’d been about to say, he remembered that warning look from John. His boss. “I suppose it hasn’t been horrible working with you, though you know I was surprised that I had a partner.”

  “Not horrible?” she repeated, finally looking at him. “You’re aware I was shocked when you showed up.” She paused. It seemed as though she was about to add more, but then stopped.

  “Aye.” He nodded. “I understand that. So far, though, you haven’t gotten in my way.”

  “Well, you’ve gotten in mine,” she said. “Plenty of times.”

  “I’m sure I have.” He made himself smile, needing to lighten the mood. “Despite the…the issues between us, do you think we can work together?”

  He’d meant the question strictly for Grace, but after he’d spoken, he realized it was for him, as well. Could he work platonically, side by side, with a woman who had sky-blue eyes, could handle even the most aggressive horse, and yet was completely off-limits? Not even the tiniest flirtation would be allowed going forward.

  “Of course!” Grace answered without missing a beat. “I have no issue whatsoever.” She crossed her arms, looking like she had plenty of issues with it.

  “Good,” Isaac said, nodding. “Good. Well then. That’s settled.” Though he hadn’t yet answered the question for himself.

  “Done for the morning?” John Zook walked into the stable, a coil of rope slung over one shoulder. Almost impulsively, Isaac stepped backward, far away from Grace.

  “Jah,” Grace answered. Isaac noticed how she was wiping her palms across the front of her apron. “Meet back here later this afternoon?” she added, looking at Isaac. “Try putting on a blanket and saddle pad?”

  “Okay,” Isaac said, feeling an unexplainable guilt as he looked from Grace to John. “Perfect.” When he didn’t know what else to do, he turned on his heel. “I’ll go check on Sadie,” he said, which seemed like a reasonable excuse to leave the scene immediately.

  As he mounted Scout, ready to ride away as quickly as he could, he still couldn’t get “that look” from Grace out of his mind. Picturing it clearly. Picturing her clearly.

  “We’ll see you later then,” John called out. John Zook. Grace’s father. Grace’s big, burly father. The man who’d hired him. His boss.

  As he rode away, keeping Scout at a steady trot, Isaac felt a weight lift off his shoulders. She’s my boss’s daughter. He’d inwardly repeat the sentence until his brain truly understood.

  He’d been hired for a job. An important job. Very important. He ordered his mind to remember just how important. If he was successful with Cincinnati, Travis Carlson would spread the news. New clients could change everything for him. For him and for Sadie.

  “Reckless,” he sneered under his breath. If he’d been just a little less proper and dutiful with his actions, he might’ve messed up his entire reason for being in Honey Brook. He promised the Lord and himself that he would never lose focus again.

  …

  Monday must’ve been one of the trading days in town, for there were many plain folks out on the streets. Some walking, some on rollerblades and scooters, but he was the only one on horseback. Not wanting to be conspicuous, he fastened Scout to a hitching rail, then ducked into the nearest store.

  It was full of customers, both plain and Englishers. A group of English women were huddled around a display at the end of an aisle. The sign read: Moses Miller’s Esther’s Organic Soap. And there was a phone number, email address, and even a website. Isaac wondered if this Esther was Lucas Brenneman’s wife. Surely there were more than a few Esthers in Honey Brook.

  Still, once the crowd cleared, he was curious to see what the big draw was. Unfortunately, all the soap was gone, though a sweet smell of lavender and wildflowers hung in the air. “Will you be restocking soon?” he asked the middle-aged woman straightening the shelf a few rows over. From her dress and head covering, he could tell she was Beachy, maybe even New Order like him.

  “You can have a catalog emailed to you,” she said, keeping her focus on the shelf in front of her. “The sign-up form’s over…” When she moved to point in the direction of the front counter, she glanced at him. “Oh.” She smiled and touched the side of her head. “Hallo.”

  “Guder daag,” he said, politely. “When will you have more soap?”

  “Soap?”

  Isaac gestured at the empty shelf. “I’d like to send some to my sisters. And my daughter loves the smell of roses.”

  The woman raised her eyebrows. “Your…daughter?”

  Isaac nodded. “Aye.”

  The woman blinked a few times, as if coming out of a trance. “Oh, um, yes, the soap. Well, depends on when Esther’s in the mood to make it. She has two children now, one is brand-new, praise to the Lord.”

  Ah, so it was Lucas Brenneman’s wife. How interesting that she would be making soap and selling it in public. Things like that were rare, even in Silver Springs. Isaac’s village was more modern in some ways, like courting traditions, reading from the Bible, and handling important work matters on the Sabbath. He’d learned that fact from Grace.

  “I don’t do email for personal use,” Isaac replied, even while touching the small cell phone in his pocket. “But I believe I know who makes it.”

  The woman’s face brightened. “You know Esther?”

  “I know Lucas—met him yesterday, in fact.”

  “Well, when you do see Esther, tell her we’re sold out again. I just can’t keep enough on the shelf.”

  “Will do,” Isaac said, though he had no idea if he would ever meet her. Or see Lucas anytime soon, for that matter.

  He chose some rock candy dyed green as a surprise for Sadie, then left the store. He browsed past the bank, a small grocery market, and the medical clinic, reminding him again of Lucas Brenneman. Maybe he should pay them a visit this afternoon while he was free, see if they needed help cleaning up after hosting church services yesterday.

  As he made the plan in his head, he noticed a group of teenaged boys surrounding Scout. They weren’t Amish.

  “The harness is so weird,” one of them was saying, “don’t you think?”

  “Yeah,” another added. “Like something out of the dark ages. Totally Sims Medieval.”

  “Yeah, or D and D.”

  “Can I help ya fellas?” Isaac said, stepping between his horse and the teen touching the harness.

  “Uh, ha-ha, no,” the kid chuckled. “Just checking out your ride, dude.”

  “My ride?”

  “Yeah, your totally prehistoric mode of transport.” He reached out to touch Scout, but the clever horse backed away.

  “Whoa, boy,” Isaac said. “You guys from around here?”

  “Couple towns away,” t
he same kid replied. He looked to be about fourteen, shirt untucked, hair uncombed, and was obviously the group’s spokesman. “We like to come on the first Monday of the month.” He cocked a corner of his mouth. “Lots of interesting people watching.” He chuckled, elbowing one of his buddies, making the rest of the group chuckle.

  “Yeah—interesting,” another boy chimed in. “Nice one, Kenny!”

  “Shouldn’t you be in school?” Isaac asked, mimicking his own father’s stern tone.

  The kids laughed. “Uh, sure, sure we are. See, we’re in history class.”

  “No—sociology,” another added. “Studying different cultures.” This made the group laugh even harder, but an uncomfortable feeling was growing in Isaac’s chest.

  “I suppose you all know how to ride?” He patted Scout’s neck.

  “Why would we?” Kenny answered. He seemed to be their leader. “Ever heard of cars?”

  Isaac shifted his weight. “You’re old enough to drive, huh?”

  The kid narrowed his eyes. “Not yet, but my cousin let me drive his truck once.”

  “Ah, now that’s impressive,” Isaac said. He knew it was impolite, maybe even immoral to tease the kids like that, but he couldn’t help himself. They were being so prideful.

  “Yeah, and my brother said he’d take me driving on old Wertztown Road, past Elwood.”

  Isaac happened to know exactly where they were talking about. He’d once helped with a new foal at a farm down Elwood Street. The place was between Honey Brook and Silver Springs, in fact.

  “Well, I guess you’re about to ride off into the sunset,” Kenny said, smirking.

  “Reckon I will,” Isaac said, running his thumbs up his suspenders, playing along to keep the scene calm, even though their disrespect and need to be near his horse were really getting to him.

  The boys started backing up toward the sidewalk. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you,” Kenny said.

  “Yeah,” chimed in another. “Maybe even tonight—ow!”

  “Shut up,” Kenny hissed, after elbowing his friend in the stomach. Without another word, they ran up the street, glancing back at Isaac a few times. One of them dropped a candy bar wrapper, missing the garbage can by a mile.

  That uneasy feeling pressed against Isaac’s chest again. Boys that age have no business hanging out here. They can only be up to no good.

  “Isaac, hello.”

  Almost as if emerging from his very thoughts, Lucas Brenneman appeared.

  “Hi,” Isaac said, but then turned his gaze back to the group of kids.

  “Anything wrong?” Lucas asked, noticing his stare.

  “You know those boys?” Isaac asked.

  “Don’t think so. Why?”

  Isaac sighed. “Dunno, just had an encounter with them. Got a funny feeling.”

  “Jah, they should be in school.”

  “I thought the same. Anyway.” Isaac adjusted his hat. “I’ve got some free time and was thinking of heading your way. Need help stowing away all those tables and chairs from yesterday?”

  “The youth group already took care of it.” They both turned to look at the group of boys again, who’d just crossed the street in front of a buggy, startling the mule. Lucas shook his head. “Kinnahs shouldn’t be running wild like that on a school day. I was taught disciple right out of the womb.”

  Isaac chuckled. “You too?”

  Lucas grinned. “Anyway, what brings you to town?”

  “When working with a new horse, training sessions last only about two hours so you don’t mentally drain them.” He shrugged. “Already finished working with Cincinnati for the morning.”

  “That’s the name of the horse? Cincinnati?”

  “Not named after the city.”

  “Oh?” Lucas chuckled. “Grant’s horse, then?”

  Isaac looked at him curiously. Then nodded. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you know your American history, having been to college.”

  “I’m more surprised that you do.”

  “Jah.” Isaac nodded while petting Scout. “I know it shouldn’t, but war has always interested me. I sneak a few books now and then.”

  “No sin in that.” Lucas paused. “At least, I hope not.”

  Isaac noticed that Lucas was carrying what looked like a medical bag. “Someone sick?” he asked, pointing to the bag. “Am I keeping you?”

  “Nay.” Lucas closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Louisa Stoltzfus can be a bit of a hypochondriac. Always thinks something’s ailing her. And I thought that plagued only first year med students.” He chuckled at something private. “Anyway, she works in the bakery and asked me to rush right over to examine the spot on her arm.”

  “Anything to worry about?”

  “Nope.” Lucas shook his head. “A freckle. Maybe something even more dramatic like an age spot. The woman’s nearly fifty.” After another chuckle, Lucas said, “Well, I should be getting back home. I don’t have any more appointments this afternoon, but I’m sure Esther could use a hand with the kinnahs.”

  “Nice running into you.”

  “Jah. We really do need to have you over for supper—I’m not just saying that. I remember what it’s like to be new in town. How about day after tomorrow?” He smoothed down his beard. “I’ll have to check with Esther first.”

  Isaac smiled, not forgetting what it was like to be married, to have a partner to check with. Though he was a little surprised by the additional feeling of nostalgia. “Sadie will be thrilled.”

  Lucas grinned. “Let’s plan on it, then.” He stuck out his hand for Isaac to shake. “See you soon.”

  “Mach’s gut,” Isaac said, and then the two men parted ways.

  While he led Scout away from town, he thought, again, about the differences between Honey Brook and Silver Springs, even though they were only thirty miles away from each other. Their basic Amish doctrine was the same, but different Ordnungs, different traditions. One being that women here seemed to have more…freedom—if that was the correct word. More responsibilities outside the home.

  Then again, he hadn’t yet been in Honey Brook long enough to recognize all of the differences between their two communities.

  He thought about his mother, his sisters, even Martha, how they’d been perfectly content to stay home and take care of their families. Or…were they actually content? Did housekeeping carry a badge of righteousness in Silver Springs, and was it sinful to have any aspects beyond that?

  Isaac knew what he’d had. He’d been content. Up to a point.

  Suddenly, he stopped walking when he realized he’d absentmindedly passed by the Chupps’ farm and was standing in the front pasture of the Zooks’. Grace was in the side field, working with the horse she’d been with the first time he’d seen her.

  He felt a grin stretch across his face as he watched her stomp through the mud, trying to get the horse to pull a plow. The gelding was not having it. Isaac’s impulse was to run out and help, but he knew full well she would resent him for it. To her, it was bad enough that he was “helping” her train Cincinnati.

  She’s definitely a modern Amish woman, he thought as she hiked up the bottom of her dress, showing muddy boots and knees, her apron smeared with dirt and who knew what else.

  The most non-traditional Amish woman I’ve ever known.

  Isaac’s grin dropped and he began chewing on the inside of his cheek, still watching her, torn between intrigue and the need to look away and pray.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You can always add flour, but you can’t take it out.”

  Grace fidgeted but forced a smile. After all, it had been her idea to bake cookies with Sarah, have some quality sister-sister time. Grace conceded that she wasn’t the best cook, but she did know how to use a measuring cup. And this afternoon really had nothing to
do with cookies.

  Bonding with your horse is one of the best ways to gain their trust…

  “Good tip,” she said, inwardly rolling her eyes. “I’ll remember that.”

  Taking a short break from being outside during the heat of the day had been a necessity. She’d gotten a sunburn yesterday, and her muscles were sore from working in the field with Honey Pot. Her afternoon training session with Cincinnati had been the brightest spot of her day. And it hadn’t been just because Isaac taught her a new way to approach with a saddle pad from the rear.

  Instinctively, she moved to look out the window, trying to see the group outside. One of the barn cats had had a litter a few days ago, and that morning, she’d asked Isaac if he wanted to bring Sadie to see them. After their schooling, Grace’s younger sisters had joined them in the barn.

  “You can’t help it, can you?” Sarah said.

  “Help what?” Grace asked, spotting one of her sisters. She really shouldn’t be holding the kittens yet.

  “Am I boring you?”

  Grace blinked. “Jah—I mean, nay. Sorry. Just looking after the girls.”

  “Isn’t Isaac with them?”

  Grace felt herself smile as that very person walked into view. His hat was off, sleeves pushed up, straw stuck to his black wool pants. “Aye.”

  Sarah joined her at the window. For a moment, they watched in silence. “You’d never catch Amos out there like that.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he’s always away from home.”

  “Working, you mean? Earning money for the family.”

  Sarah grumbled and went back to the kitchen. “He could be here if he wanted.” She picked up a pot in the sink and started scrubbing.

  Grace was tempted to say that she was right… Maybe Amos would want to be home more often if his homelife wasn’t so stressful. Her brother would hate to leave home if he had a kind wife who greeted him with appreciation and tenderness after a long day.

  Never forget that first step in heeding a horse. Connection. Building trust. Show her you’re a team.

  “Let me do that,” Grace said, stepping in to finish washing the pot. “Smells like the first batch of cookies is ready to come out of the oven.”