For Every Season Page 9

  Rhoda sighed. “Unless Iva stays.”

  “Exactly.”

  She was tired of the unrest between her and Jacob. With the months of silence when he’d been absent and the weeks of stilted conversation because of what had happened with Samuel, their relationship had been prickly for too long. Still, she wasn’t ready to just surrender. “I’ll agree on one condition. I want to be free to work with Samuel again.”

  Jacob’s green eyes bore into her, his gentle nature so evident. “It’s hard to believe you’d even bring up such a thing. It’s more than business. It’s a friendship. Isn’t my friendship enough?”

  “Is mine?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You say that, but in all the time I’ve known you, I’m not the one you share everything with. But it doesn’t diminish what we have between us or how much you love me. Does it?”

  He played with her fingers, running his hand across her calluses as he mulled over an idea he clearly didn’t like. “Rhodes …”

  “Samuel and I must be able to work together, to talk and yell and maybe even laugh. It makes me feel sick to have to avoid him or to have only a brief, stiff conversation where nothing is accomplished.”

  Jacob stared into her eyes, and she could see how much he loved her. “Okay.” It came out as a whisper, and he looked more resigned than accepting. “I can understand that.”

  Joy stirred inside her for the first time since Jacob had come back. Was it possible there would be healing for the three of them?

  “I love you, Jacob.”

  He gazed into her eyes, a tender smile curving his lips. “You’ve never said that before.”

  She hadn’t, mostly because his past kept raising its ugly head and causing her to move slowly and carefully. But she did love him. “I should have.”

  He eased his face closer to hers. When his lips were mere inches from hers, she couldn’t see anything but Samuel. In this very room, so close she could hear his heart thumping, sense the strength of his feelings for her.

  She wanted to pull away from Jacob so the memory would stop, but if she did, it might ruin all the work they’d done to get to this point.

  Her thoughts were broken by the dogs’ barking and a horn blasting.

  Jacob took a breath, his warm hands still cradling her face. “We need a vacation.”

  She chuckled. “Think so?”

  He moved to the window.

  “Who is it?”

  “Sandra.”

  “Here?” Rhoda peered out the window. She wanted a good look at this mystery woman, but she could only see flowing dark hair. The dogs circled the car, barking.

  “It’s my fault. I should’ve returned her calls.”

  “What does she want?”

  “Forgiveness.” He sighed. “I need to talk to her alone first.”

  “You do what you need to. Isn’t she going to get out?”

  “Not with the dogs right there. She has a phobia of them.”

  Rhoda rested her hand on his chest. “Are you getting your past sorted out?”

  “I’m working on it. Even hired a lawyer, but he wants things of me I’m not sure I’m willing to give.”

  “You have to. For us.”

  He stared into her eyes, and she saw determination replace reluctance. “You’re right.” He wrapped her hand with his. “We’ll talk about what’s going on with her later, okay?”

  “I’ll always be here, waiting for you.”

  An endearing boyish grin lit his face. He pulled the walkie-talkie out of his pocket. “Samuel.”

  “Ya.”

  “Rhoda needs to see you in the office after dinner. There is a ton of mail to discuss and work plans to go over.” By using the two-way, he had let everyone know that he approved of Samuel and Rhoda working side by side again. He slid the radio into his pocket.

  “Denki.”

  He kissed her on the forehead. “We’re gonna get to where we were before I left here, and when we do, we’ll keep right on going until our grandchildren are awed to see what real love is.” He smiled. “Now go eat, and then get busy before we drown in letters and paperwork.”

  Disappointment and relief warred within her as he left the office. She’d wanted a real kiss, and yet she’d been unable to lean into his embrace. It had to be guilt from when she’d been in this same room in Samuel’s arms. Rhoda closed her eyes. That had to be it.

  She couldn’t even stand to think about what else it might be.

  NINE

  Samuel finished climbing the stairs to the second floor of the farmhouse, clasping the walkie-talkie. What Jacob had said on the two-way wasn’t the end result he’d expected when he’d left the office. But the proclamation had sent relief and happiness bouncing around inside him. Maybe he and his brother would weather this storm.

  He went to Rhoda’s old room and tapped on the door. What agreement had Jacob and Rhoda come to?

  “Kumm,” Iva said.

  Samuel eased open the door. She stood at the dresser folding some items before putting them in a drawer. Her head covering was oval rather than heart shaped, and her apron, which didn’t have a bib, matched her dress. Other than that, it seemed the Indiana Old Order Amish were similar to the Pennsylvania Amish … or rather what was now the Maine Old Order Amish.

  She shook out a pair of stockings and began neatly rolling them. “Did you find any hangers?” She glanced up and gasped, almost dropping the stockings. “I … I thought you were Leah.”

  It was really nice for someone in this house to look at him without a hint of suspicion. “I can’t say I usually have that effect on people.”

  “I’m sure you don’t.” She shoved her stockings into the drawer and slammed it shut. “Your hands are too hairy.”

  He laughed, looking at his hands. They weren’t very hairy. “That’s the only difference?”

  She shrugged, making a face. “Speaking of hands, did you come with news of my future in yours?”

  He held them out. “No news.” He glanced at them. “Just dirt.” He rubbed at the stains, but they didn’t come off. “I want to apologize for your coming all this way only to learn the job isn’t a done deal.”

  “There was no misunderstanding. Not really. I knew there was only a chance of employment.”

  “That’s good.” What were her circumstances that she’d travel for days on just the possibility of getting a job? “Phoebe sent me to tell you that supper will be ready in about fifteen minutes. We’re hoping you’ll join us, but if you’re too weary, we understand. Someone will bring you a tray.”

  She froze. “I’d love to join everyone at dinner.” She choked up a bit. “Sorry. You’re all just so kind.”

  Samuel didn’t feel they’d been particularly welcoming, but maybe they’d exceeded her expectations. “We try to be very well mannered—at least until someone’s second day.”

  She ducked her head, perhaps trying to hide a smile. “Is that an invitation for me to be gone before daylight?”

  “No, of course not.” Samuel determined to keep a straight face. “It becomes the next day at midnight. Why would you wait until dawn?”

  After a quick laugh she reeled in all hints of finding him humorous. “May I at least eat first?”

  “That’s why I tapped on your door.”

  “I’d like to go on down now. Maybe Phoebe could use a hand.”

  “It’s not necessary, but if that would make you feel better …” Samuel gestured for her to leave the room.

  When they stepped onto the landing, Rhoda was coming their way. His heart thudded. If she were in a relationship with anyone except his brother, Samuel would pursue her without ceasing.

  The three of them halted.

  Rhoda offered a warmer smile than when Iva had first arrived. “Will your accommodations suit you if you stay?”

  “Ya.” Iva’s eyes lit up. “I could be perfectly happy with that room.”

  Rhoda nodded, and Samuel studied her. If only he could catch a few
minutes alone with her to see what was up. He was pretty sure that’s what she wanted too.

  He stepped toward the wall of the long, narrow landing. “Iva, we’ll see you downstairs.”

  “Sure.” She scurried away.

  Rhoda put her back toward the banister. “If you don’t mind, we’d like for her to stay.”

  We? Samuel didn’t believe Rhoda had changed her mind. Who would want anyone hired in the manner Iva had been? “If you can live with it, I can.”

  “Gut. Denki. Jacob thinks it’s a wise decision.”

  “And what do you think?”

  “It worked out as it needed to while I got to a really good place with Jacob.”

  “Meaning?”

  “He’s agreed that you and I can talk and work together.”

  “But you’re not moving back in?”

  “No. That and Iva are my part of the bargain.”

  “I should be the one to move out. The only reason I haven’t mentioned it before is because I didn’t want to stir Jacob’s suspicion about the nature of our relationship.”

  “You were wise to keep those thoughts to yourself. Besides, where would you go that wouldn’t cost money we don’t have? Landon’s? I can’t see that being sensible. You and Landon aren’t made for sharing close quarters. He’s on his computer so much, surfing the Net, as he calls it, sometimes with music going while watching television. And an owner of a business shouldn’t need to beg a room from an employee. We have enough strange things going on with employees as it is.” She smiled, looking a little less burdened. “The upside is I really like Camilla and Bob.”

  “And Iva?”

  “I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but it’s too early to tell how she’ll do.”

  “Jacob wants Iva here because he’s hoping I’ll like her, isn’t he?”

  She nodded. “Or that she’ll be a distraction or just a friend to talk to. If I have to hire a hundred single girls that we can’t afford in order to help Jacob overcome what we put him through, it’s a small price to pay.”

  Now he understood her reasoning. “I agree.”

  Her eyes met his for just a moment before she looked the other way. She seemed lost for a moment before the dogs started barking, catching her attention. She went down the landing toward the alcove that had a window overlooking the driveway.

  He followed her. She peered out before stepping to the side so Samuel could look.

  Jacob was behind the steering wheel and pulling out of the driveway.

  “That’s Sandra.” She studied the car. “Casey is in a car seat in the back. I met them briefly before coming inside. He said they needed to talk.”

  It seemed odd that Jacob hadn’t invited them in to at least get a drink of water and use the bathroom. But Samuel wouldn’t point that out. Driving a car wasn’t the Amish way, but since Jacob had yet to be baptized into the church, and because he was trying to get his life straight so he could join the faith, Steven would say little if anything to him.

  Samuel glanced at Rhoda. “Steven will become an official preacher soon with all the authority that comes with it. Jacob isn’t doing himself any favors by driving off with an Englisch woman.”

  “My brother won’t have to be patient much longer. Jacob all but promised he’d confess his wrongs and begin instruction as soon as his legal troubles were squared away.”

  That must have been quite a bartering session between you two, Samuel thought, and he wondered how Rhoda really felt about all the concessions she’d had to make. “I never wanted to do anything that would undermine you and Jacob.”

  “I know. I think somewhere inside, Jacob does too.” She watched the car disappear. “No more guilt about it. Jacob and I will be stronger in the long run.” She stepped away from the window. “May I be completely honest?”

  “If you think it will help.”

  “I want and need both of you in my life.” She paused. “I’ll marry Jacob, but I don’t want to be without your friendship.”

  How could he feel such relief for her and Jacob while struggling with so much heartache at the same time? “I understand.”

  “And you’ll need to forgive my bossiness,”—she smoothed her apron—“but I have to speak my mind.”

  “I can take it. Dish it out.”

  “Don’t ever again leave me in the lurch because you’re busy walking on eggshells with Jacob.”

  “I haven’t done that.”

  “You most certainly have. I was the only one telling Leah she shouldn’t have had Iva come here expecting to get a job, and I was the only one standing against Jacob—for all the good it did me. But you didn’t say a word until I asked for your opinion.”

  “Damage control with Jacob is more important than having a say in business matters.”

  “Figure out how to do both.” Her tone and the seriousness on her face indicated she wasn’t kidding.

  Clearly his milder, gentler approach concerning the orchard annoyed her. Despite the recent issues between Jacob and him, she wanted him to lead as needed, but he didn’t like her tone. “Should I salute now? Or bow?”

  “Spare me any smart-alecky responses.” Her half smile ignited another round of sparks in him. “And you need to talk to Leah. She can’t pull anything like this again. It was all I could do to remain polite about it.”

  “I’ll talk to her.”

  Did Rhoda know that Jacob had wavered in his support of the farm, that if he didn’t have a change of heart, he might prefer for Samuel to sell the place?

  He wouldn’t hint at what Jacob had said. His brother could’ve been blowing off steam. But Samuel didn’t want her shocked if he did have to sell it. “There’s a lot stacked against us—financially.”

  “Of course there is.” She ran her apron over the windowsill, removing some dust. “We knew before we arrived here that no one except Landon would draw a salary until the harvest. But we’re still receiving gifts of money from our families, your district, and even strangers. That, along with our savings, is enough to keep the mortgage paid and food on the table, right?”

  When he didn’t answer immediately, she looked stunned. Since coming to Maine, she had been absorbed in nurturing the orchard, surviving the turmoil of the drug allegations, and adjusting to the ever-changing circumstances of Jacob’s past. When she had run her own business, she and Landon had taken care of everything: product, marketing, and finances. But when she’d joined the much larger Kings’ Orchard, she had focused on her strengths: horticulture and canning.

  “Samuel?”

  His eyes rested on the little handprints on the wall behind her, probably from the children playing in this nook. “We’ve gone through all our savings. Yours, mine, and Jacob’s.”

  “What? How’s that possible?”

  “There wasn’t a lot left after I closed on this place, and since our arrival here, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.”

  She angled her head, staring at him in disbelief. “Jacob’s the accountant in all this. He knew we’d be without an income until the first harvest.”

  Samuel slid his hands into his pockets. “He’d factored in that we’d all do something to bring in a little income, only one day a week or less, but it would’ve added up. He thought he could pick up a few remodeling jobs nearby, assuming Landon could be his driver. Since Steven is a handyman by trade, we thought he could do that around town a few times a week. Phoebe had planned on baking pies and cakes with Leah and selling them to local stores. Leah could’ve made children’s clothes and sold them at a consignment shop. I could’ve given horseback riding lessons. You could have sold herbs or herbal teas, but the police confiscated everything from the greenhouses. Nothing has worked out in our favor. Because no other Amish families moved in to help with the farm work and because Jacob was gone, we’ve only had time for one thing: restoring the apple orchard.”

  He’d hoped his long explanation would give Rhoda a little perspective, but she massaged her temples. “We haven’t eve
n tackled the canning kitchen issue yet. I received a letter from the state saying I can’t get a business license to sell goods that are canned in a kitchen where daily meals are prepared for a family.”

  Samuel gazed out the window. Should they just give up? If they sold everything, the place might bring a profit. At the least they might break even. Jacob and Steven had made repairs to the house and outbuilding. Samuel and Rhoda had the orchard in better shape than they’d expected.

  She snapped her fingers. “Hello?”

  He pulled from his thoughts and looked at her.

  “There’s a solution, right? There has to be. We need a canning kitchen and the means to make ends meet until we can earn some money off the harvest.”

  As she stared at him, her eyes beseeching him for answers, he realized what he could do. Why hadn’t he thought of it before unloading the stress of the situation on her? He could sell some of the farm acreage in Pennsylvania. He’d need to talk to his Daed, but Samuel knew he would easily agree if that’s what it would take to get them through the first harvest. In all Samuel’s days of tending Kings’ Orchard in Pennsylvania, he’d never once been willing to sell an acre of it. Before leaving Pennsylvania, they’d done what they could to begin the restoration from the tornado damage. His youngest brother, Eli, was there, tending it and helping their Daed with the small dairy farm. In about five years that orchard should be producing well again.

  Still, he hated the thought of selling even one blade of grass. But he’d do it. There was a neighbor who’d said he’d buy a few acres that connected their properties. His Daed wouldn’t like it. If the orchard side of the farm had acreage to spare, his Daed would want to use it for the cows.

  “Ya.” Samuel nodded. “Now that you’ve needled me, I think there is a way. Are you sure you want to make a go of it here? After the stress I’ve caused between—”

  “Am I sure? A better question is, have you lost your mind? How can you even ask that?”

  His heart leaped with enthusiasm. This was the motivation he needed. If Rhoda was still fully committed to this orchard, so was he. He’d let guilt lie to him. Holding on to this farm wasn’t in Jacob’s hands.