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  “Samuel asked me to fix the food for their picnic, and I hope they’ll all think it’s good. You’re a pretty good cook yourself,” she added. “I’m surprised he didn’t ask you to make the picnic supper.”

  “I’m taking Suzanne out for supper this evening, so that’s why he didn’t ask me.” Titus picked up the box and started walking toward the house. Esther followed.

  “I’m glad you and Suzanne are going out,” she said. “It’s been awhile since the two of you went anywhere alone.”

  He nodded. “After what happened with Leon, I think Samuel plans to spend more time with the kinner and keep his focus on them instead of allowing himself to be so consumed with grief over losing Elsie.”

  “I’m glad to hear he wants to spend more time with the kinner. I’ve tried to give them lots of attention, but it’s not the same as spending time with their daed.” Esther smiled. “I’m also glad things are better between you and Suzanne. I’ve been worried about you two.”

  “No need to worry,” he said. “I think everything with us is back on track.”

  Esther opened the door for Titus, and when they entered the house, Titus took the box of food to the kitchen. Esther found Samuel sitting on the living room sofa, with all four of his children gathered around.

  “Wie geht’s?” she asked.

  Samuel looked up. “We’re doing good now that Leon’s back home. Everyone’s looking forward to going to the pond today.”

  The children bobbed their heads in agreement.

  “I brought the food for your picnic supper,” she said.

  Samuel smiled. “We appreciate that.”

  Penny looked up at her father. “Is Esther goin’ with us, Daadi?”

  Samuel’s face turned bright pink. “Well, I … uh … thought it would be good for us to spend some time alone together.”

  Esther placed her hand on Penny’s shoulder. “I’ll be with you on Monday.” She hoped the disappointment she felt about not being included in their plans didn’t show on her face.

  “Is everyone ready to go?” Samuel asked, thumping Leon’s shoulder.

  The children all nodded and climbed down from the sofa.

  “All right, let’s get the food Esther prepared, grab our fishing poles, and we’ll head for the pond.” Samuel stood and turned to Esther. “I sure do appreciate your being willing to fix the picnic supper and also for allowing me to spend some time alone with my kinner.”

  Esther managed a weak smile. It was the best she could do to hide her disappointment. “I hope you have fun and catch lots of fish.” She followed them out the door and watched as they scrambled into Samuel’s buggy. It was good to see the children so happy today, and she hoped they’d have a good time at the pond. She was glad to see Samuel take an interest in the children, too. She’d seen a different side of him since Leon had run away—a softer, more sensitive side. Truth was, Esther had begun to have feelings for Samuel that she could no longer deny. Of course, she’d never admit that to anyone, because she was sure Samuel had no interest in her other than as someone to watch his children—and fix their picnic supper.

  As Samuel’s rig pulled onto the road, Esther started walking toward her horse and buggy. She was almost there when Titus came out of the house and called out to her. “Have you got a minute? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “Sure.” Esther stopped walking and waited until Titus joined her. “What’s up?”

  He ran his finger down the side of his nose, looking a bit unsure of himself. “I’m … uh … not quite sure how to say this, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “As much as I enjoy having Samuel and the kinner living with me, I’m afraid if they’re still here by the time Suzanne and I are wed, it will put a strain on our marriage. Even though things are better between Suzanne and me now, I don’t think she’d be happy sharing a home with my bruder and his four active kinner.”

  “You’re probably right, but if Samuel isn’t able to buy a place by then, I’m sure Suzanne will learn to deal with it.”

  “Maybe so, but …” Titus kicked at a stone beneath his feet. “The thing is … I was wondering …”

  “Is there something you think I can do to help Suzanne adjust to the idea that she might have to share her home with Samuel and the kinner?” Esther questioned.

  “No, but I was wondering if your folks might be interested in renting their place to Samuel.”

  Esther’s eyebrows lifted. “How could they do that? I’m living there, remember?”

  “I was thinking since you’re working at the B&B, maybe you could stay there.”

  “Bonnie mentioned the idea of me living in the little guest house on her property, but I’d have to get Mom and Dad’s permission to do that. I’d also have to ask if they’d mind renting their place to Samuel.”

  “Well, let me know what they say, and if they’re agreeable to the idea, we can mention it to Samuel.” Titus started to turn toward the house, but then he stopped and motioned to a fishing pole leaning against the barn. “Oh, oh. Looks like Samuel forgot one of their poles.”

  “I’ll be going near the pond on my way home,” Esther said. “So unless you have some objections, I’ll take the fishing pole along and give it to him.”

  “That’d be great. Danki, Esther.”

  “Be careful not to get too close,” Samuel warned Jared, who was edging near the water. “Marla, keep an eye on your bruder, please.”

  “Okay, Daadi.” She turned to smile at Samuel, and then she darted after her little brother.

  Samuel took a seat on the blanket he’d spread on the ground and leaned back on his elbows. The warm spring sun shining down on his face felt so good, and for the first time since Elsie died he allowed himself to fully relax.

  “Daadi, aren’t ya gonna fish with us?” Leon asked, bumping Samuel’s arm.

  “I’ll fish in a minute, son. I want to sit here awhile and enjoy this nice spring day.”

  Leon took a seat beside him while Penny went off to play with Marla and Jared. “I wish Mammi could be here with us,” the boy said. “I sure do miss her.”

  Samuel’s throat constricted. “I miss her, too, but I’m glad I have you and your brother and sisters.”

  Leon gave a nod. “Jah.”

  They sat quietly together, watching as the girls and Jared pitched rocks into the pond. The birds in the nearby trees chirped happily while the bullfrogs sang their deep-throated chorus, but the peacefulness of the moment was interrupted by a noisy vehicle pulling in.

  Samuel turned his head and was surprised to see Bonnie climb out of her car. Frolicking at her side was her little mixed-breed terrier, Cody.

  Marla, Penny, and Jared rushed excitedly toward the dog, but Leon remained on the blanket with Samuel.

  “Wie geht’s?” Bonnie called, waving at Samuel.

  “Doin’ pretty good. How about you?”

  “Just fine. I’ve been wanting to check out this pond for a while but haven’t taken the time until now.” When Bonnie took a seat on the blanket beside Samuel, Leon gave her a strange look, but she didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’m surprised to see you here,” she said to Samuel. “I thought you might have a paint job to do somewhere today.”

  He shook his head. “I wanted to spend the day with my kinner.”

  “Kinner means children, right?”

  “Jah.”

  “Are ya learnin’ the Deitch?” Leon asked.

  She laughed. “Well, I’m trying to anyway. Your daed’s taught me a few Pennsylvania-Dutch words.”

  “How come?” the boy asked.

  “Because she asked me to,” Samuel replied.

  Leon looked at Bonnie and squinted. “Why do ya wanna learn Amish words?”

  Samuel gave Leon’s arm a light tap. “How come you ask so many questions? Are you writing a book?”

  Leon shook his head. “’Course not. I’d never be
able to think up enough words to write a whole book.”

  Samuel lifted Leon’s straw hat from his head and ruffled his light brown hair. “Why don’t you join the others for a while? I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”

  “I thought we was gonna fish.”

  “We will. After we’ve eaten.”

  Leon shrugged and shuffled off toward his brother and sisters, who were kept busy chasing after Bonnie’s dog.

  Bonnie looked over at Samuel and smiled. “I was glad when I heard that Leon had been found. I’m sure you must have been very worried about him.”

  “I was, and Leon’s disappearance opened my eyes to the fact that I need to spend more time with my kinner.”

  “Like you’re doing today?”

  “Jah. We came here to do a little fishing and enjoy a picnic supper.” Not wishing to appear rude, he motioned to the cooler he’d brought along, full of beverages and the food that needed to be kept cold, as well as the box of picnic food Esther had prepared that didn’t need cooling. “If you don’t have other plans for supper, you’re welcome to eat with us ‘cause there’s more than enough food.”

  “That’d be nice. I really wasn’t looking forward to going home and eating by myself.”

  “Should we call the kinner and eat now?” he asked.

  “I’m ready to eat whenever you are.”

  When Esther pulled her horse and buggy into the clearing near the pond, she was surprised to see Bonnie’s car parked next to the tree where Samuel’s horse and buggy had been tied.

  She stepped out of the buggy, tied Ginger to another tree, and reached inside the buggy to get the fishing pole. As she headed across the clearing toward the pond, she saw Samuel, his children, and Bonnie sitting on a blanket together. Her heart felt like it had plummeted all the way to her toes. They were eating the food that she’d prepared!

  “It’s nice to see you.” Bonnie smiled up at Esther. “Would you like to join us?”

  Esther shook her head. “I just came to bring this.” She held the fishing pole out to Samuel. “It was left by the barn.”

  “Guess I forgot it. Danki, Esther,” Samuel said.

  Esther gave a nod then turned toward her buggy.

  “Are you sure you won’t join us?” Bonnie called.

  “No thanks. I’d better get home.”

  As Esther climbed into her buggy, a lump formed in her throat. Samuel was obviously interested in Bonnie, or he wouldn’t have invited her to join them for supper. What hurt the most was the fact that he’d asked Esther to fix the picnic supper when he’d planned to invite Bonnie to join them all along.

  CHAPTER 28

  As Esther sat at the desk in her room one Saturday evening, writing in her journal, she felt as if a heavy weight rested on her shoulders. Ever since Titus had suggested she rent her house to Samuel, her mind had been swirling with unanswered questions. She’d been praying about it, too, but was still unsure what to do. It would be hard to leave the roomy home she’d lived in since she was a young girl and move into the small guest house on Bonnie’s property.

  Of course, Esther reasoned, if Mom and Dad agreed to rent their house to Samuel, that would mean more money coming in to help with Dan’s medical expenses.

  As Esther’s thoughts shifted gears, she wrote in her journal:

  I’m confused about so many things. Even though Bonnie later explained that Samuel hadn’t invited her to join them at the pond until she’d shown up there with her dog, it hurt my feelings.

  I’m concerned that there might be something besides friendship between them. Is it my imagination, and am I the only one who sees it? Would Bonnie be willing to give up modern things and join the Amish faith? Could Samuel give up his plain way of life to go English?

  Knowing she needed to focus on something else, Esther glanced at the calendar on her bedroom wall. Monday would be her twenty-fourth birthday, and so far she hadn’t received even one card in the mail—not even from Mom and Dad. Had everyone forgotten about her birthday? Mom and Dad had a good excuse, she supposed, because they were so busy helping out at Dan’s. Last year Suzanne had given Esther a surprise party and invited all their friends. This year, her birthday would probably go right on by, unnoticed. She thought about the birthday supper she’d made for Marla and how Samuel had forgotten his daughter’s birthday. Maybe this was the year for forgotten birthdays.

  Tears slipped out of Esther’s eyes, dribbling down her cheeks, and she sniffed and wiped them away. I’m just feeling sorry for myself. I’m sad because I have feelings for Samuel and he doesn’t even see me. I’m also struggling with the idea of moving out of my home. But if I don’t ask Mom and Dad about letting Samuel rent their house, then Suzanne and Titus’s relationship will be affected when they get married. I really need to talk to Mom and Dad soon.

  On Monday morning, before Esther headed to Titus’s to watch Samuel’s children, she spotted the mail carrier in front of their box. As soon as he pulled his vehicle away, she hurried down the driveway to get the mail. She was pleased to find a birthday card from her folks, as well as one from both of her brothers. At least her family had remembered her birthday, which made her feel much better.

  She rushed back to the house and took a seat at the kitchen table so she could read the letter Mom had enclosed with the card. Things were about the same with Dan, and Dad was keeping busier than ever at the two farmer’s markets. Mom ended the note by asking when Esther might be able to come for a visit.

  I need to call Mom and Dad right now, Esther decided.

  “Are you sure you have time to help me with this today?” Samuel asked Allen as they started painting the inside of a two-story home in Fairview.

  “I have some extra time this morning, so it’s not a problem. Besides, the Carsons want the job done by the end of the week, and since Frank, the other fellow who does painting for me, is tied up with another job right now, I figured I’d help you here today.” Allen dipped his brush into the can of off-white paint. “Painting’s not my specialty, but I think I know enough about it to do a fairly decent job.”

  “I’m sure you do. Would you rather paint the stairwell or the dining room?” Samuel asked.

  Allen shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me, but since you’re a better and faster painter, maybe you should tackle the dining room.”

  “Okay.”

  As Samuel and Allen worked, they visited about the warm spring weather they’d been having.

  “It was just starting to turn warm when I took my kids to the pond for a picnic a few weeks ago,” Samuel said.

  “I never did ask you about that. Was it fun?”

  “It was a good day, and Bonnie was there, too. After we ate, she tried her hand at fishing.”

  “Oh, really?” Allen took a step back, and the next thing Titus knew, the poor fellow was bouncing down the stairs on his backside. He hit the bottom with a sickening thunk!

  Samuel dropped his paintbrush and rushed forward. “Allen, are you all right?”

  “Oh, my aching back! I don’t think I can move,” Allen groaned.

  Samuel grabbed Allen’s cell phone from his shirt pocket and dialed 911.

  CHAPTER 29

  Sorry I’m so late,” Samuel said to Esther when he arrived home from work that afternoon. “Allen fell down the stairs while we were painting that house in Fairview, and now he’s in the hospital.”

  Esther’s eyes widened. “Oh my! Was he seriously hurt?”

  “He’s not critical, but his back is sure sore and spasmed up.”

  Esther frowned. “That’s awful. Is he going to be all right?”

  “I think so, but it’ll take some time. They gave him something for the pain and swelling, and I think they may put him in traction for a while.”

  “That’s too bad.” Esther slowly shook her head. “Allen won’t be able to work for a while I guess.”

  “No, he sure won’t. I’ll have to finish the paint job we were working on by myself, which means I might
be late getting home for the rest of this week. Will that affect your job at Bonnie’s Bed-and-Breakfast?”

  “I don’t think so. As long as I go over there sometime every evening to help Bonnie get things ready for her guests the next morning, it doesn’t matter what time I get there.” She shrugged. “Besides, I only have to go when she has guests.”

  “Well, good.” Samuel removed his straw hat and set it on the small table by the sofa. “It’s sure quiet in here. Where are the kinner?”

  “They’re out in the barn, playing with the katze.”

  “Guess I’ll wander out there and say hello.” He moved toward the door. “You’re free to go now, Esther.”

  She hesitated a minute, then nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Samuel.”

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Esther said when she arrived at Bonnie’s that evening. “Samuel got home later than usual because Allen got hurt today.”

  Bonnie’s forehead wrinkled in a worried frown. “What happened to Allen?”

  Esther explained what Samuel had told her. “I can’t imagine how much pain Allen must be in,” she said.

  Bonnie grimaced. “A back injury can be painful all right. Does Samuel know how long Allen will be in the hospital?”

  “I guess it all depends on how long it takes for his back to heal.”

  “From what I’ve observed, Allen probably won’t make a good patient.”

  “What makes you think that?” Esther asked.

  “He seems to be a workaholic, and workaholics don’t like to be laid up very long.” Bonnie pointed to herself. “I tend to be like that, too.”

  Esther smiled. Bonnie was a hard worker, but she’d never thought of her as a workaholic.

  “I have two couples arriving later this evening,” Bonnie said. “So are you ready to help me whip up a tasty breakfast casserole I can serve them tomorrow morning?”

  “I’m ready if you are.”

  They headed for the kitchen, and as they prepared the vegetables and meat that would go into the casserole, Esther mentioned that she’d spoken to her folks about renting their home to Samuel, and they’d agreed. “That is, if you’re still willing to let me stay in your guest house,” she quickly added.