Finding Her Amish Love (Women 0f Lancaster County Book 6) Page 2

  Jess smiled. “Same here.”

  “Reuben,” Daniel said, “Thanks for the harnesses.”

  Reuben nodded agreeably. “I’ll see you when you get back,” he said quietly. “If you don’t have time today, don’t worry about it.”

  Daniel watched as Ellie shifted closer to her husband. He could feel the love between the couple and felt a longing for a relationship like theirs. Charlie had the same loving relationship with her husband, Nate Peachy. As did his married brothers, Noah, Jedidiah, Elijah, Jacob and Isaac, with their wives. Soon, he thought, after he’d opened his harness shop.

  He set the harnesses in the back of the buggy, then turned to Jess, who now stood quietly beside him. When she would have climbed in, he stopped her. “Nay, over here.”

  She approached him slowly, cautiously, toward the other side of the buggy where he waited. He glanced at Charlie and saw her compassion for the girl in her eyes. He turned back and held out his hand. “Let me help you,” he said.

  She hesitated but then let him take her hand. Her fingers felt small within his grip. He reached to place his other hand under her elbow, then heard her gasp and felt her stiffen as he lifted her easily onto the front passenger seat. He climbed in through the other side, grabbed the leathers, waved at the others, then drove out of the yard.

  The girl remained silent as he pulled onto the road toward Yoder’s Country Crafts and General Store.

  “Are you all right?” he asked softly. She shot him a wary glance, then inclined her head. “We can stop somewhere and eat.”

  “No.” Jess glanced away. “I’m fine,” she said, but he sensed that she wasn’t.

  Daniel wondered again why she’d come. Was she in some kind of trouble? He had so many questions, but he wasn’t going to pry. Yet.

  Less than fifteen minutes later he flipped on his right turn signal and steered the horse into the parking lot next to the store. He felt Jess tense beside him. “Leah and her husband, Henry, own the store. They live in the house on the hill behind it.”

  She exhaled on a sigh. “I hope she remembers me,” she murmured, looking nervous.

  Her vulnerability made his heart melt. “She will.”

  He saw her swallow hard. She seemed to pull into herself, and he felt the strangest urge to offer comfort. He steered his horse up to the hitching post. “Stay put,” he said.

  Daniel climbed out of his vehicle, tied up his horse, then went to her side and extended a hand to help her. She looked at his fingers, then at him, then placed her small hand trustingly within his grasp. He was gentle as he set her onto the ground before releasing her.

  “Are you ready to see Leah?”

  Her lips curved slightly. “Yes.”

  “Come,” he said, leading her into the store’s interior, which appeared dark after the bright morning sunlight.

  Henry and Leah stood behind the counter, going over papers. They both looked up as the bells over the door rang and he approached with Jess. Leah smiled at him before her gaze settled on the girl next to him. She stared a moment as they came closer, and Daniel felt the tension in Jess beside him. Suddenly, his cousin’s eyes widened, and she grinned. “Jess!”

  The girl beamed at his cousin. Witnessing the pure delight and warmth in her expression took his breath away. In that moment, he realized that she must be older than he’d first thought. A young woman. Something shifted inside him.

  “You came back,” Leah said.

  Daniel saw Jess nod. “I hope it’s okay,” she said.

  “Ja, of course. I told you to come see me whenever you...” Her voice trailed off and a look of concern settled on Leah’s features.

  It seemed to Daniel as if they were silently communicating.

  “Come with me,” Leah said. She turned to her husband, who eyed Jess warily. “Henry, we’ll be up at the haus.”

  Henry nodded. Leah gestured for Jess to round the counter and follow her. As she obeyed, Daniel saw Jess take in Leah’s pregnancy and freeze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. You’re about to have a baby.”

  Leah arched an eyebrow. “And that means I can’t talk with you?”

  Jess blushed. “Of course not.”

  “I’ll wait for you here,” Daniel told the girl.

  She opened her mouth as if she would object. She promptly shut it without a word and nodded.

  When both women had left, Henry turned to him. “Who is she?”

  “Someone apparently Leah knows.”

  “Where did you find her?”

  “In Reuben’s barn. It looked as if she’d spent the night there.” Daniel’s gaze went toward the back of the store where the women had disappeared. He could already envision his cousin making Jess sit and forcing her to eat.

  “Should I be worried about Leah being alone with her?”

  Daniel hesitated. “I can’t say for sure, but my gut says that she’ll be fine. She was terrified when I found her. She came looking for Leah, said they’d met last year. Same way I found her probably. She says Leah discovered her in the barn asleep and offered to help her. I believe she’s a runaway.”

  Henry frowned. “Maybe we should go up to the house.”

  “We could, or we could trust that your wife is fine and knows what she’s doing. Clearly the women were happy to see each other.”

  Daniel noted Henry’s softened expression and affectionate smile. “Leah is something. I still can’t believe I’m married to her.”

  “Believe it, Henry. You’re not only wed to her, but she’ll be having your bobbli soon.”

  A worried look came to Henry’s eyes. “I’m scared.”

  “Of being a father?” Daniel was surprised.

  “Nay, I want those babies more than anything. I worry for Leah and all she’ll have to endure to give birth. Reuben’s first wife...”

  “I know,” Daniel said softly. “She died right after giving birth, but Leah isn’t Susanna, and she’s your wife. She’ll be fine.”

  Henry looked as if he needed to be convinced. “I hope so.”

  “I know so,” Daniel said with a grin. He glanced at the wall clock. He should head to work, but he had to stay to make sure the English girl didn’t need a ride. It seemed like an hour had gone by but was probably only ten minutes when he became concerned. “Want me to go up and check on them?”

  “And anger Leah? Nay. I’ll stay right here. You don’t want to be on the wrong side of my wife. I was once, and I vowed to myself never to be there again.”

  He needed to get to work. If he was ever to earn enough money to quit construction and open a business of his own, he had to show up at the job site.

  But Daniel recalled Jess’s vulnerable expression and knew he couldn’t leave no matter how long it took for the women to return. He was torn between wariness and longing, an odd combination of feelings for a woman he barely knew—and an Englisher.

  If the two women didn’t return after a half hour, he’d go up and risk Leah’s ire. He would ensure that both of them were fine. The mental image of Jess’s face lingered, and he felt anxious for some unknown reason.

  Chapter Two

  Feeling guilty for deceiving her Amish friend, Emma followed Leah out of the back of the store and up a small incline to a white house. They entered through the kitchen. The room was spotless, with oak cabinets and a pie on the white kitchen countertop. She glanced at it briefly, then looked away and prayed that her stomach wouldn’t rumble from hunger.

  “Have a seat.” Leah gestured toward a trestle table. It was large, rectangular and made of oak with six chairs. “How do you like your hot tea?”

  Emma blushed. “I don’t know.”

  The Amish woman studied her with surprise. “You never had hot tea?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve had iced tea a couple of times.” Emma managed a smile. “I liked it swe
et.”

  Leah grinned. “Then you’ll want sugar in your hot tea.”

  She watched silently as her friend filled the teakettle with water and set it on the stove. Emma felt like she should do something to help. She was never allowed to simply sit for a moment and be idle in the Turner household. “Can I help you?”

  “Nay, I’ve got this.”

  “I’m sorry to barge in on you.”

  “I’m happy to see you, Jess. ’Tis been a long time.” Leah paused. “I was worried about you.”

  Warmth rushed through Emma, overriding the guilt that had crept in hearing her false name on Leah’s lips. “You were?”

  The woman nodded. “I knew something was wrong when we met. I wanted to help.”

  “You did,” Emma whispered. “More than you’ll ever know.”

  “Tell me what you’ve been doing since I last saw you.”

  “When you found me, I’d run from my foster family.” Her throat tightened as Emma thought of her deceased parents. “I lost my parents when they were killed in a car accident.” She blinked against the tears that always came whenever she recalled that horrible time. “I was eleven. There was no family to care for me, so I was put into foster care. The Turners are the second family I’ve been placed with.” She shuddered and hugged herself. “They’re not nice people, so I’ve run away from them again.” She paused as Leah placed a cup of steaming tea before her.

  “Be careful,” Leah warned. “’Tis very hot.”

  Emma nodded. She added sugar and stirred it into her cup. She stared at the swirling liquid for a long time.

  “Jess?”

  “Yes, sorry.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t want to go back, but if they find me, I’ll have no choice.” She stopped. “A few days after I left the safety of your barn, I was picked up by the police in downtown Lancaster.” Embarrassment made her blush. “I was searching for food.”

  “For food?”

  “Yes, near a dumpster,” she murmured, ashamed. But she’d been hungry, and hunger had made her do things that she normally wouldn’t do. “The Turners filed a missing persons report.” Emma laughed harshly. “Once I was returned to them, my situation there got worse.” She didn’t want to confess about the abuse, and Leah didn’t need to know what she’d endured before she’d escaped. Leah’s ignorance would keep her friend safe from harm should Bryce Turner find Emma again. She gingerly took a sip of the hot tea. The warmth felt good in her throat. The taste was delicious, just sweet enough to make the brew go down easily. She felt stronger with that one sip.

  “You ran away again,” Leah said. “Tell me about them.”

  She looked up from her tea mug. “If it’s okay, I’d rather not.” She took another fortifying sip. “All I can tell you is that they don’t care about me. They are only interested in the money the state of Maryland pays them for my care.” She gestured at her clothes. “I was unhappy there. I had to leave, and I need to find a place to work and live until I turn eighteen, when I’ll be free from the foster care system.”

  Leah frowned. “Jess—”

  “Please, Leah,” Emma said. “I think it’s best if you don’t know.” Without thought, she rubbed her arms.

  Frowning, Leah rose and skirted the table. “What’s wrong with your arms?”

  Emma blushed and looked away. “Nothing.”

  “I want to see your arms, Jess. If there is nothing wrong with them, you won’t mind if I take a look. There is something you’re not telling me.” Leah paused. “Please?”

  She sighed. “If I show you, will you promise you won’t tell anyone?” Emma regarded Leah solemnly. “Not even Henry or Daniel?”

  “I promise,” Leah said, although she looked extremely uncomfortable.

  She stood and took off her jacket. Her long-sleeved T-shirt was thin, and Emma resisted the urge to put her jacket back on. Instead, she hesitated, then pulled up her right sleeve as high as the inside bend of her elbow. Her arm was covered with bruises, but the worst of them remained hidden near her shoulders. When she saw Leah’s changing expression, she knew she’d already shown her Amish friend too much.

  Leah gasped. “Ach, nay, Jess. Who did this to you?”

  “It doesn’t matter now. I’m not going back.”

  “Your foster father did this?”

  Emma nodded.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” Emma gazed at her, confused.

  “For what was done to you.”

  She smiled. “You’ve been very kind, and you’ve made a difference in my life from the first moment I met you.” Emma held her gaze. “You gave me food and the twenty dollars you left for me when I came back the next night.”

  Leah arched an eyebrow. “What twenty dollars?” But there was warmth in her pretty blue eyes and a smile on her lips. Leah Yoder was genuinely beautiful inside and out.

  Emma was relieved to be here with the young Amish woman. She’d never felt so safe since she’d been sent to live with the Turners. It was as if Leah was a true friend, and she definitely needed one. She thought of Daniel Lapp and the way he’d looked at her, as if she’d come to cause trouble for his cousin. But then his expression had changed as he’d watched her a little while later. As if he worried about her, despite his concern for his family. She was wrong. She shouldn’t have come back, bringing her problems to Leah. She just hoped for some advice, then she’d leave Leah in peace...and safety.

  “How long is it before you turn eighteen?” Leah asked.

  “Five weeks.”

  “And you need a job,” the Amish woman said.

  Emma nodded. “Yes.”

  “And a place to live.” Leah looked thoughtful. “You also need a place where you can hide until you’re free of the foster care system.”

  Looking away, Emma stood. “Yes. I’m not here to cause you trouble. You can imagine what my foster family is like. But you know the area well, so if you could point me in the right direction, I’ll get out of your hair.” Dread and sadness filled her as she stood. “I shouldn’t have come. You have your family to worry about.”

  “Please sit down, Jessica.”

  She blinked and obeyed.

  “I have a solution to your problem.”

  Hope flickered in her heart. “You do?”

  “Henry and I need help. I’m going to hire you to work in the store. You can live with my parents, who have a spare room. I only ask that you help them with chores if they need it.” She paused. “Is that agreeable to you?”

  Emma allowed the tears to fall. “Yes,” she whispered. “Very agreeable.” She inhaled sharply. “But I shouldn’t accept. If my foster father comes here looking for me...”

  Leah covered Emma’s hands with her own. “I’m not worried about him. Besides, he won’t find out you’re here among us.” She smiled. “You’ll be a big help to me. Before long, I won’t be able to work for a while.” She patted her belly. “I’m having twins.”

  “Twins!” Emma held her gaze. “You must be so happy about them.”

  “I’m thrilled. I love Henry, and I already love our babies,” Leah said gently.

  She grinned. “I’m happy for you, Leah. You deserve everything good life has to offer.”

  “Danki.” Leah rose and went to the refrigerator. “Now before we do anything else, I’m feeding you, then you can take a shower.”

  It sounded wonderful to her. She must have said it aloud because Leah laughed.

  Emma hesitated. “May I wash my hands before I eat?”

  Leah directed her to a small downstairs bathroom. Emma continued to fight tears as she washed her hands and face. Feeling overwhelmed and emotional, she experienced hope for the first time in a long time. Hope tinged with a feeling of concern for accepting her friend’s offer. There was no mirror in the room, but she could imagine how awful she must look
after days on the road and having slept in the barn.

  Emma managed to gain control of her emotions as she wolfed down the turkey sandwich Leah fixed for her. After she finished, she then ate the piece of an apple pie that Leah pressed on her.

  “Come with me,” Leah said after Emma was done eating.

  She followed Leah out of the kitchen, then upstairs to a bathroom with a shower. She glanced down at her dirty clothes and grimaced at the thought of putting them on again.

  Leah turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature. “Wait here a moment.” She returned within minutes with clean clothes.

  Emma eyed the royal blue Amish dress, and her throat tightened with emotion. “Leah, I can’t take your clothes.”

  “Of course you can. Until we can get you several garments of your own.” To Emma’s surprise, Leah took her hand. “Jess, think about it. Hiding in plain sight, you can live among us freely. No one would suspect an Amish girl of being a runaway foster child.”

  Emma hadn’t thought about that. “That does sound like a good plan.”

  “Gut,” Leah said, pronouncing it with an accent. “Gut, not good. But don’t worry, I’ll teach you a few phrases that will make your place here convincing.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Danki,” Leah instructed.

  “Danki,” Emma said, and the Amish woman beamed at her.

  “When you’re done here, come downstairs. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  “Okay. Danki.”

  “Ja, danki,” Leah corrected with a laugh.

  Emma grinned at her before the woman closed the door, leaving her alone to ponder her new temporary life. She cleaned up and changed into the Amish clothes Leah had provided. She knew she wouldn’t have trouble fitting in. After all, she’d been raised in an Amish community until she was six years old. She knew how to speak high German, although she couldn’t let on. She’d have to allow the others to teach her a few words or they would suspect that she and her parents had left their Amish community for the English world and been shunned by their family and friends for their decision to leave.