The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming Page 21

  “My life. Maybe training isn’t Gott’s plan for me anymore—I’ve never prayed very hard about it. I know it isn’t a woman’s place in our culture, but I suppose I assumed the rules didn’t apply to me because it’s all I’ve ever wanted. How can Gott bless me if I’m not obedient? Should I be praying for Him to bless me to want what I’m supposed to want? I’m supposed to get married and have babies, right?” She barely got the words out before she started sobbing again, as if simply saying them was breaking her own heart.

  If the conversation hadn’t turned so serious, he might’ve laughed. She was being irrational now, for—despite what her father thought—Isaac didn’t know anyone who was more in sync and talented when it came to those animals, more familiar with how they behaved and their needs than Grace Zook. Her willingness to care for each individual horse was beyond even his expertise.

  A talent like that had to have come straight from Heaven like a laser beam pointed directly at her.

  “Maybe Bishop Turner is right,” she continued, her words coming faster. “And Hannah and Mary.” She sniffed. “They say I shouldn’t spend so much time with horses. I could always just get it over with and marry Collin Chupp. He’s—”

  “No!” Isaac hadn’t meant to cut her off, but he couldn’t listen to one more word. His voice was so strong and firm that Grace flinched in her seat. “You cannot do that, Grace.”

  She stared at him, her blue eyes wide, breathing shallow and fast as if she’d been the one in the mud race.

  His heart was speeding, too, but his mind was crystal clear. He’d known it was coming on for days, maybe longer, though he’d tried everything to ignore his feelings.

  He knew she would never stop working with horses—it was her lifeblood—but the thought that she would even entertain the idea of marrying Collin…

  “No,” he said, softer. “You can’t marry that man.” He swallowed as he gazed into her eyes. “Or any other man.”

  “Why?” Her voice was shaky, almost a whisper, yet her gaze hadn’t moved from his.

  Despite the tricky conversation he would have to have with John Zook, and the countless potential ramifications to his future, Isaac knew if he didn’t admit it now, he might never.

  “Grace,” he said, then paused to remove his hat. “If you marry that Chupp fellow, you won’t be able to go on a date with me.”

  “Are…are you asking me for a date?” She was blinking now, maybe attempting to wrap her brain around the question, or maybe…maybe hesitating while she thought of a way to turn him down gently.

  Suddenly, a rock of doubt sat in Isaac’s stomach. He’d said it all wrong—wrong time, wrong place. Who does something like this on the side of the road, for heaven’s sake?

  Still, the words had come out, he’d said them, and now he had to be man enough to mean them.

  “Yes, I am,” he said, then sat back and waited for the blow.

  Her eyes fixed on him again, and before his heart could take another excruciating beat, her pretty pink lips turned up into a smile.

  Without her needing to say a word, warm, comforting relief washed through his body. He knew he was smiling, too, for he felt almost giddy. She pressed her lips together and lowered her chin. He did the same, though he leaned in so his forehead touched hers.

  Isaac wasn’t sure how long they remained in that position, which was why he was startled when he heard a horn honking. He could tell by the way it sounded that a car was coming toward them, and probably going much faster than the posted speed.

  The honking was getting closer, but there was nothing Isaac could do to move the buggy farther off the road if it was in the way; he didn’t have time. Luckily, it honked once more, then drove past them. It was for sure going way too fast, because the sheer wake of it passing gave the buggy a mighty shake, metal clinking against metal.

  He’d been braced for it, but Grace let out an earsplitting scream. The next thing Isaac knew, she’d leaped forward, throwing herself into his arms.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Grace didn’t want to move an inch. She didn’t want to breathe or blink or do anything to remove herself from this moment. Isaac King wanted to take her on a date. Isaac—the man whose presence had so unexpectedly brightened her life—was interested in her.

  She pressed her nose into his shirt, still warm from the heat of the day. It didn’t smell like him, exactly, and Grace wondered if the volunteer fire company used an electric clothes dryer.

  “Are you okay?” His soft words came drifting down to her ears.

  She didn’t reply right away, didn’t want to break the spell.

  “Grace?”

  She felt his warm palms press to her back.

  “Mmm-hmm,” she breathed out. “I’m better than okay.”

  His body shook from a silent laugh. “I think you need to sit up, then.”

  But she didn’t want to. It was all too wonderful. She would be content to feel his arms around her for hours and hours. But then the picture of him in that wet shirt popped into her mind, causing a burst of heat to stir at a place deep in her core.

  She quickly pulled away and sat back, though unable to look up at him just yet.

  “You’ve become very special to me,” Isaac said. “I hope you feel the same.”

  Before answering, she pressed her smiling lips together. “Jah,” she said simply, knowing her cheeks were turning pink. “But I am wondering about something.”

  “What?” He shifted in his seat, moving an inch closer to her. “You can ask me anything.”

  “Well…” She finally looked up at him. “You said the courting rules are different where you come from.”

  “Jah.” He nodded slowly. “And?”

  She swallowed. “And you said something about how kissing is allowed.”

  “Uh-huh,” he said, sounding suspicious. “Before the official engagement.”

  “You mean like even now?”

  “Mmm… More like after date number five.”

  “Five?” she couldn’t help shrieking.

  “Five,” he confirmed with a nod.

  “Five,” she muttered, chewing on a fingernail. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

  Grace couldn’t believe she’d been so bold. Never in her life had she pondered what physical things happened on a date or during courtships. There’d never been anyone she was interested in doing any of that with, so why even wonder?

  And then Isaac had ridden into her life.

  As they gazed at each other, Grace’s muscles felt weak as noodles, and her throat dried up, butterflies in her stomach, as his hazel eyes on her grew intense. She braced herself for something she knew she wasn’t ready for but desired just the same.

  “Grace,” Isaac said, a corner of his mouth turning up. “Your father would kill me.”

  She couldn’t help breathing out a soft laugh. “I don’t care.”

  “Yes you do. I think you’re feeling things for the first time.” He paused to exhale. “I am, too, if I’m being honest. We need to be careful. I’ve been married before, so I know how easy…” When he cut himself off, he glanced away.

  Grace wasn’t sure what he’d been about to say, but he seemed embarrassed by it.

  “It’s going to be tricky, since we work together,” he continued a moment later. “I honestly don’t know how it will work. And I wasn’t kidding about your father. I know he respects me as a trainer and he trusts me to be alone with you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I don’t know how he’s going to take this. My job could be in jeopardy.”

  Grace hadn’t thought about that. Would Daed actually punish Isaac? Would he allow them to spend hours together alone while training Cincinnati and then permit them to go on a date alone?

  Just as a sinking feeling of disappointment was about to replace her happiness, Isaac reached
for her hand.

  “I do think this is okay.” He intertwined their fingers. “Do you?”

  “Aye.” She grinned in relief, moving their hands to rest on her knee. For a moment, she stared forward, trying to memorize his touch, while also trying to feel calm and natural, holding his hand like that for the first time.

  After only a few moments of shy awkwardness, it felt as natural as praying.

  “Your skin is soft,” Isaac said, running a thumb over the top of her hand. Grace trembled.

  “Yours is rough,” she said, opening his palm, tracing the tip of her index finger over a callus. “But I like it.” She looked up at him, then looked away. “So, what do we do now?” When he squeezed her hand, she wondered if he might put an arm around her shoulders next.

  “Now?” Isaac said after blowing out a deep breath. “Now, we go back to Honey Brook.”

  Grace felt her bottom lip push out. “So soon?”

  He chuckled. “Grace, it’s getting dark already. I don’t like being on the road at night.” He reached out and touched her chin. “Not with such precious cargo.”

  Grace grinned and knew she was blushing, but she didn’t care. “I suppose you’re right. I don’t want Sarah to worry.”

  Isaac freed one of his hands so he could pick up the reins. “She said she’d be long asleep by the time we got back.”

  “She did say that,” Grace admitted, “but I think she’ll stay awake.” She looked up at the setting sun, orange and yellow and stripes of blue. “I think she’s got a kinder heart than we all realize.”

  Isaac smiled at her. “You have the biggest heart I know.”

  Grace couldn’t help squeezing his hand. In fact, she didn’t let it go during the rest of their trip home, the milky-blue sky lit up by a full moon to guide him. As they were about a quarter mile from town, they started discussing what to do with Cincinnati the next day. Grace agreed that he was ready to hold a rider now and probably would be keen to start jumping in another few days.

  A strange feeling came over Grace when she suddenly realized that they were not only in sync about Sin, but also about their feelings for each other. Well, maybe not strange, but almost comforting, like two pieces of a puzzle finally fit together.

  With tomorrow’s plan settled, Grace leaned in to his shoulder and let her eyes drift to the horizon. But then she blinked and sat up. “What is that?”

  “I don’t know,” Isaac said, letting go of her hand so he could take ahold of both reins, needing to concentrate. Because of the brilliance of the moon, the bright orange splotch in the distance backed by black clouds was perfectly clear. Hauntingly clear.

  “It’s a fire!” Grace exclaimed, clutching his arm.

  The horses were already racing at full speed.

  “I know,” Isaac said, pushing them to run at a flat-out gallop.

  Frantically, Grace tried to gauge their location as they neared town, Isaac driving straight toward that horrifying ball of orange. Dread filled her pounding heart. “It’s the Brennemans’!” she cried.

  “Lucas?”

  “His brother Jeremiah.” She turned to him, a shudder running down her spine. “Isaac, they have eight children.”

  Isaac whipped the horses, demanding they speed up. They were getting closer now; Grace could feel heat from the fire, smoke in the air. Seemed everyone in town was awake and gathered in the Brennemans’ front pasture. Two fire engines were there, and Grace saw both Amish and Mennonites rushing toward the flames carrying hoses, wearing helmets. Other men from the village were filling buckets with water.

  “It’s the barn, not the house,” Isaac said. This gave Grace some momentary comfort, but then Isaac’s wide eyes shot to her. “Sadie’s spending the night here.” He glanced toward the house, dread in his expression.

  “Go,” Grace said, in sync with his thoughts yet again, taking the reins, slowing the horses just enough for Isaac to jump out and sprint toward the crowd gathered at the house.

  As quickly as she could, she tied up the horses then raced to the house, noticing her brother Amos was among the ones helping put out the fire. She didn’t stop to talk but kept running until she reached the house. She saw Elizabeth Brenneman holding a baby in her arms, Esther, and a group of women surrounding her and her children. But she didn’t see Sadie.

  “Sadie!” she shouted, panic making her heart race, her vision blurry. She spun in a circle, looking everywhere, the smoke making the chaos worse. Grace was first to admit that she had little know-how when it came to kinnahs, but she trembled at the thought of what could happen in a dangerous situation like this. Finally, she spotted them. Isaac was kneeling, holding Sadie in his arms. Without thinking, Grace ran to them.

  “Is she all right?” she asked, going down onto her knees.

  “Aye,” Isaac said, picking up his shivering daughter. She was in only a thin sleeping gown, and the night air was cold despite the fire. Isaac walked them away from the house to an empty bench. “Do you see an extra blanket?” he asked Grace.

  Grace glanced around, noticing a small pile someone must have brought out. “I found one!” Without missing a beat, she went for the blanket before it was gone. Returning, she handed it to Isaac. He gently draped it around Sadie, who was now whimpering.

  Isaac held her tight in his arms, but Grace noticed his dread-filled expression moving to the fire and the men trying desperately to put it out. Lucas was there, and Amos and Jeremiah, and the Chupps. Even Bishop Tanner.

  Isaac looked at Sadie. Then he looked at Grace.

  “Isaac,” Grace said, without pausing to think. “I’ve got her. I’ll take care of her. Go.” She wasn’t exactly sure what to do for Sadie besides keep her away from danger, but just like Isaac, she knew she had to help. “Here.” She pulled out her white handkerchief. “Tie this to cover your nose and mouth.”

  “Danke,” he said. He didn’t move for a moment, but then kissed Sadie on the forehead and whispered something into her ear. “Are you sure?”

  Grace had practically zero experience with children who weren’t in her immediate family. And quite frankly, they scared her a little. But right now, she did not even hesitate. “Go!” she said as sharply as possible without startling Sadie, taking the frightened child into her arms.

  He gave her a long look that spoke of gratitude and courage before running toward the closest fire truck. Grace’s heart thumped hard as she watched him disappear into the smoke and chaos.

  “I’ve got you,” she said when Sadie started to fuss. “Just…just, um, close your eyes and think of…all those kittens in the barn, okay. Isn’t that nice?”

  Sadie sniffed then lifted her head, looking Grace in the eyes. I hope she can’t see the anxiety on my face. Don’t children sense fear?

  “Can I think of the goats instead?” Sadie asked, a sweet pout on her lips. “I got to meet them today at Miss Vivian’s.” She blinked her big eyes. “And I dressed one up like a puppy.”

  Grace hugged her little bundle, trying to make herself feel calmer. “Of course you can think about the goats. Whatever makes you happy.” While Sadie told her more about her day, dozing off now and then, Grace tried to spot Isaac in the group.

  Thanks to the volunteer fire department and the brave men of Honey Brook, the flames were starting to diminish. But the damage was done. Even Grace knew the barn would be a total loss. She could only hope and pray that all the animals had escaped free from harm and be grateful that the house seemed untouched.

  “Do they know what caused it?” Grace asked as Hannah came to her side, looking sleepy and worried. Grace knew the feeling.

  “At first, someone thought it was an electrical fire. Jeremiah keeps a generator in there,” Hannah replied. “But then I guess they thought one of the cows kicked an electrical socket.”

  “It was arson.”

  Grace almost jumped when she s
aw Isaac. He was wearing a pair of heavy black gloves and her once-white handkerchief—now black with soot—was tied around his nose and mouth. His clothes were wet from water and sweat, and even though it was half covered, Grace could see that his face was red from exhaustion.

  “Arson?” She echoed, alarm bells going off in her head. “How do you know?”

  Isaac bent in half, resting his hands on his knees as if catching his breath.

  “You need water,” Grace said. “Hannah, can you find him a drink?”

  “I’m fine,” Isaac said. “There was a witness, though he didn’t speak up right away.” She watched as Isaac turned to look over his shoulder at a group of older men surrounding one of the teenagers from the village. “We think we know who’s responsible,” he added. “We’re getting a group together to go after them.”

  “Tonight?” Grace said, confused. “Isaac, it’s one in the morning. How will you track down anyone?”

  “Lucas thinks he knows where they live. And I definitely know what they look like. We have to do it now.”

  “Isaac?” someone shouted from the crowd.

  “I’m coming,” he called back. “I have to help if I can,” he said to Grace. “Would you please keep her?” He touched a hand to the back of Sadie’s head, who was fast asleep. “I couldn’t leave her now unless I knew she was safe with you.”

  Grace felt pressure against her chest. First, from alarm that she would be in charge of Sadie for even longer. She forced that feeling away, but it was quickly replaced by fear of Isaac going off on some kind of manhunt in the middle of the night. Half a moment later, that was replaced by tenderness that he trusted her with his child.

  “Go,” she said, feeling tears press behind her eyelids. “Don’t worry.”

  “I won’t now,” he said, going down on one knee so they were eye to eye. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Please be safe. Go!”

  Isaac swallowed; then it looked as though he was blinking back tears, too. “Danke,” he said, his voice cracking. A moment later, he was gone, leaving Grace to stare off into the last of the red and orange flames, clutching Sadie with all her might.