A Sister's Wish (13 page)

She felt him standing motionless in front of her. Simply star
ing at her. She kept her head turned away and fixated firmly on her clenched fists.

A full minute later, he turned and left.

Only then did she let the tears fall. She'd not only hurt herself, but she'd hurt him, too.

He'd come here full of sweet words and hope. He'd been sure that she would trust him. That she would want him, no matter what.

Instead, she'd wounded his spirit.

Funny, but she would rather have gotten kicked by a goat and bitten by a snake again than to realize she was capable of causing so much pain.

Chapter 13

Saturday, October 10

I
t was a quarter after nine in the evening and Rebecca, Jacob, Lukas, and Darla had been attempting to quit playing cards for the last half hour. It wasn't going so well. The moment one of them made a move to stand up, someone else would make a comment or a joke. The next thing they knew, another ten minutes had passed.

Lukas didn't mind their late night, though. Between the demands at work and the needs of his and Darla's families, he was rarely able to take time to simply play cards and laugh. Their evening had been good medicine.

“So, are we gonna play another round of hearts or call it a night?”

“We need to call it a night,” Rebecca said as she started shuffling the cards.

Lukas couldn't help but smile at that. It looked like his sister had been needing this carefree evening together as much as he had.

Glancing at the clock, Jacob raised his brows. “If we're not careful, it's going to be a quarter after ten before we know it.”

Darla glanced his way and grinned. “Probably. The last time I looked at the clock, it was a little after seven.”

His wife had a point. Time did fly when the four of them were together. Lukas had been surprised—though, he knew he shouldn't have been—that he, his sister, and their spouses had taken to doing “couple things” so easily. But it still came as a bit of a shock.

Ever since their father had passed away, he and Becky had been overwhelmed with responsibility. Levi's need for a break hadn't helped things. Amelia had managed things at home, but though he appreciated her help with supper and laundry, those efforts hadn't alleviated the constant weight of responsibility he felt at the mill.

Just weeks after the fire, Rebecca had looked at him sadly and said that they were sure to be in for lots of rocky days while they adjusted to their new realities.

She had not been wrong.

But what neither she nor he had anticipated was that they also seemed to be thriving. They had both married. Jacob was a good, calm counterpart for Rebecca and a welcome addition to the mill. And Darla? Well, she'd always been one of his best friends. Now they were closer than ever—and happier than they'd ever been.

These were unexpected blessings, for sure and for certain.

Leaning over, Jacob gently pulled the playing cards from his wife's hands. “It really is time for us to be getting home, Rebecca. Church is tomorrow, and it's going to be at least a forty-minute buggy ride.”

“You're right.”

“We're going with my parents, too, you know. That means we'll be getting up extra early so we won't be late.”

With a sigh, Rebecca stood up. “They do like to be places on time.” Just as Jacob was about to help her with her cloak, she looked at Lukas. “Do you think Amelia is going to be all right? She went to bed awfully early. She didn't want to join us for cards, either.”

Lukas didn't know the answer to that. Unable to help himself, he looked down the hall yet again. “I don't know.”

“I'm thinking she was simply tired,” Darla said. “I sat with her before you came over. She says she has a hard time sleeping since she isn't doing much activity.”

“Plus, she's lugging around a heavy cast,” Jacob added. “That can't be easy.”

Rebecca worried her bottom lip but nodded. “I hadn't thought about that.”

Lukas cleared his throat. “I promise that Darla and I will look after Amelia tomorrow. Don't worry about her.”

“I'm just thinking that maybe there's a lot more on her mind than her accident. I know she's still upset about Simon.” Turning to her sister-in-law, she said, “Are you sure you didn't accidentally overhear anything when he came over?”

“I'm sure.” Holding up a hand, she said wryly, “I didn't hear a thing accidentally or on purpose.”

“Did you even try to listen?”

After looking at Lukas, Darla shook her head.
“Nee.”

“She deserves her privacy, Beck,” Lukas said. He still felt guilty that he'd interfered in her life so much.

But Rebecca didn't look like she agreed completely. “Giving
Simon and Amelia privacy is all well and good, but it's also unhelpful. If we don't know what is going on, how are we supposed to find out how to help them?”

Jacob chuckled. “Settle down, Beck.”

She squirmed. “I'm settled. Kind of. But this is important.”

“I don't think she wants our help now,” Darla interjected smoothly. “I don't know how Lukas feels, but I have to say that I am not in any hurry to interfere, either.”

“I'm not saying another word to either of them about their relationship,” Lukas vowed.

“Oh, Lukas. Don't be like that.”

He barely refrained from shaking his head in frustration. They were older, they were married, but it was obvious that some things never changed. Once again Rebecca was determined to fix everything as quickly as possible. “Don't be like what? Patient?” he prodded. “I happen to learn from my mistakes. You should try to do that, too.”

“Don't act so smug. I have learned something. And that is why I want to try to help in some way.”

Jacob rested a hand on her arm. “I'm afraid I agree with Lukas. We'll talk to Amelia when she is ready. Until then, we will honor her wishes to keep her conversations private.”

Relieved that Jacob was on his side, Lukas nodded. “Our interference didn't do any of them any favors, Becky.”

“We won't be interfering if we know they are the perfect match.” Looking up at Jacob fondly, she added, “Just like we are.”

Lukas groaned. “If you are going to start saying gushy things like that, it's time to walk you out the door.”

Jacob laughed. “I agree. Not because I don't like Rebecca's
pretty words, but because I fear she's after one thing only—for me to tell her that she's right.”

“I'm not that bad,” she protested.

“Yes, you are,” Lukas said. “But since we're used to your ways, we'll still keep you around.”

Grinning up at him, Rebecca said softly, “You're going to keep me around because you love me?”

“
Jah,
because of that. But mainly because you are the only person who can keep everything straight at work. I can't risk you getting mad at me,” he teased.

Rebecca looked stunned. “I think you mean that!”

“I know he does,” Darla quipped. “My husband might not sing your praises to your face, but he certainly sings them when you aren't around.”

“That's good to hear,” she said with a little lift of her chin. “It's always good to feel needed.”

Jacob wrapped an arm around Rebecca's shoulders. “
Gut
. Because I need you to let me get home.”

Lukas stood at the window until he saw the light on the back of their buggy fade into the distance. When Darla came to stand next to him, he asked softly, “Want me to help you clean up?”

“
Nee
. There's not much to worry about. I'll do the rest of the dishes in the morning.” She shifted and wrapped her arms around his middle, linking her hands together. “I'd rather stand like this for a little bit longer.”

He couldn't deny that the feel of her in his arms was comforting. It always had been. “Do you think we're making the right decision with Amelia? Maybe Rebecca is right.”

“She isn't. She's happy, so she wants everyone around her to be happy, too. But you and I know it ain't that easy. Everyone
has their own path to take. Sometimes it's best to simply get out of their way.”

Bending down, he kissed her temple. “You are so smart. That's probably why I married you.”

As he'd hoped, she laughed. “And here I thought it was because of my other charms.”

Thinking of those charms, he moved from the window. “Are you terribly tired, Darla?”

Those blue eyes that he loved so much gleamed. “Never that tired.”

As he turned off the kerosene lantern and followed his wife up the stairs to their bedroom, he couldn't help but smile. Yes, things were busy and work was demanding, but there were other things in his life that were terribly sweet.

Chapter 14

Monday, October 12

A
melia was doing that thing she did with her nose when she was annoyed. From the time she was four or five, she'd wrinkled her nose whenever her siblings did something she didn't like. They'd all thought it was kind of cute when she was small. Levi and Rebecca had teased her mercilessly about it when she was a teen.

Now? Lukas took it in stride. “Your nose is gonna stay that way if you ain't careful, sister.”

Instantly, she smoothed her expression. “Honestly, Lukas,” she said around a dramatic sigh. “I wish you hadn't come home from work early.”

“That ain't any way to greet your brother,” he teased as he handed her a cup of hot tea liberally laced with honey before sitting down on the coffee table in front of her. “You're going to hurt my feelings.”

Her nose wrinkled again. “Oh, stop. And get up off that table. You're going to break it if you're not careful.”

He doubted that, but he moved to his father's old easy chair next to the fireplace. “You don't seem very chipper today. What's wrong?”

“What's wrong is that you're here. I told you this morning, there was no reason on earth for you to come home from the mill early.” She waved a hand. “Yet, here you are.”

He would have smiled if he didn't think she was about to lose her last bit of composure. “For your information, there is absolutely a reason for me to have come home. It's a
gut
one, too.”

A spark of interest appeared in her eyes. “Oh? What is it?”

“You.”

“I can get to the kitchen and bathroom just fine on my own now,” she grumbled.

“There are other things I could do around here besides help you up and down the halls.”

“Like what?” she asked peevishly. “I can't see you doing much good with the laundry.”

Never again would he take her even temper for granted! “Settle down, little sister. You're beginning to sound like a fishwife.”

Amelia drew in a breath, obviously ready to argue that, too . . . then she blew out a sigh. “I know. I'm sorry.”

“You don't need to be sorry. Instead, accept help when it is offered. You have given me a good reason to take a break from work. Plus, Darla wouldn't have left to go to the post office if that meant you were home alone.” He glared for good measure. “Everything ain't all about you, you know.”

“I know.” To his shock, tears appeared in her eyes. “I'm so
sorry. You are right.” Plucking at the quilt on her lap, she said, “I'm just not used to being so inactive. I hate sitting around, especially when there is so much to do. It's making me peevish.”

“I noticed.” He was just about to remind her that she'd be up on her feet in no time when they heard a knock at the door. “You expecting anyone?” he asked as he stood up.

For some reason, that question made her look even more depressed.
“Nee.”

“I bet it's some ladies bringing by another casserole. I'll be right back.” He opened the door, fully intending to politely thank whomever had just arrived before eventually storing the dish in the freezer. Their neighbors had been so generous, he, Darla, and Amelia couldn't eat everything right away.

Except it wasn't a lady. It was a man about his age. He was tall, as tall as himself, wearing a black coat over a white shirt and black trousers. Thick work boots covered his feet.

“May I help you?”

“
Jah
. This is the Kinsinger
haus, jah
?”

Lukas nodded. “Are you needing something?” Maybe he was trying to apply for a job? Every once in a while someone came to the house instead of the mill to approach him about work.

“I think so. Are you Lukas Kinsinger?”

“I am.”

“I'm Benjamin Miller.”

“Hi.” In a firm tone, he said, “Listen, if you are looking for work, you made a mistake. You need to go to the mill and apply. This is my home.”

“Oh, I'm not here for work.” He stuck out a hand. “Like I said, my name is Benjamin Miller. Ben to everyone who knows me. I met you and your father at a charity auction a year ago.”

Lukas shook the man's hand. He didn't remember meeting him, but if he had been with his father, he likely hadn't been paying much attention to men his
daed
talked to. Slightly annoyed that the guy had shown up unannounced, Lukas said, “I'm sorry to tell you this, but my father ain't here. He, uh, passed away.”

“I know that.” Ben pulled off his black felt hat. “I'm real sorry about your loss, Lukas. I didn't know him real well, of course, but he was real respected. He was a
gut
man.”

“He was.” Shaking off the momentary sadness that consumed him every time he thought about his father, Lukas eyed the visitor closely. “I'm sorry, but I still don't understand why you are here.”

His cheeks flushed. “Oh. Sorry. I'm here for Amelia.”

This whole episode was getting stranger and stranger. Lukas gripped the side of the door. “Say again?”

“I'm here for Amelia. You know. Your sister.” The corners of his lips tilted up at the corners. “I met her at the auction, too.”

“Over a year ago.”

“
Jah
. My cousin works at the hospital. She told me that Amelia Kinsinger spent a day there a week ago. I guess she got herself a broken leg?”

“I wouldn't say she got it on her own. A goat had something to do with it.”

Ben laughed. “Goats have sturdy hooves. Ain't so?”

“Uh-huh.”

“When I heard she was injured, I decided to pay a call on her.”

“I didn't realize you two were close.” In fact, Lukas was pretty sure this Ben was definitely
not
close to his sister.

“We're not. But a man can hope.” He smiled in a winsome way. “I'm real glad you're here and not at the mill today.”

“Because?”

“Because I'm here to ask permission to call on her.”

Lukas barely stopped himself from wrinkling his own nose. “This seems rather out of the blue.”

“Maybe to you. But I've been thinking about her for some time. She was so sweet when we met.”

Lukas knew the man was likely remembering her looks. Honestly, he was tempted to simply shut the door in Ben's face. What kind of a man was he? He had a lot of nerve, calling on Amelia uninvited, all because he'd heard some story about her being in the hospital. “I don't know how I can give permission,” he replied, making sure that his tone conveyed his displeasure with Ben. “I don't know you.”

“My family are third-generation farmers. We have a two-hundred-acre place right north of Millersburg. We've invested in the area, too. Furthermore, my uncle is Amos Miller. He was good friends with your
daed
.”

Lukas swallowed. Now it was all coming back. His father had been happy to talk to Amos and had been cordial to this Benjamin, too. He'd even whispered to Lukas that they were a well-respected family. In short, this man was everything that his father would have probably wanted for Amelia.

It was too bad Lukas didn't think very highly of him. But after he'd done so much wrong with Simon, he was afraid to interfere again.

“Amelia doesn't need my permission,” he said at last. “She is choosing her own suitors.”

Benjamin's eyes lit up. “That's
gut
.”

“
Jah
. It's great.” Feeling like he was letting in a tax collector, he waved a hand. “You might as well come on in.”

“Danke.”

After Benjamin stepped through the doorway looking delighted, Lukas said, “Let me go tell my sister you are here. It will be up to her to decide if she feels like talking to you. There's a good chance she won't.” He really hoped not.

In one blink, that ridiculous grin vanished. “Huh.”

Huh,
indeed. Lukas found himself practically stalking down the hallway.

Amelia looked up from the magazine she was flipping through. “Who was at the door?”

“Benjamin Miller from Millersburg.”

She shrugged. “I don't know him. Do you work with Benjamin?”

“
Nee
. He is here for you.”

She sat up a little straighter. “Really? Why?”

“It seems you, me, and Daed met him at a charity auction about a year ago. I remember it vaguely. Maybe. Daed knew his uncle.”

After tossing the magazine on the coffee table, she shifted and smoothed out the pink dress and white apron she had on. “Daed liked this man?”

“I wouldn't say that. Daed knew him, which isn't that noteworthy. Daed knew pretty much everyone in two counties.”

“I suppose he did.”

Grudgingly, he added, “I might remember Daed saying that his family is a good one. Respected.”

“Ah.”

Feeling better now that he saw that Amelia wasn't all that excited about having an unannounced caller either, he asked, “What do you want me to do with this Benjamin? He seems to
think you might allow him to call on you.” Unable to not sound hopeful, he asked, “Would you like me to send him away?”

“Of course not. I'd be happy to see him.”

“You would?”

“Why wouldn't I? I need to start courting, and it's not like I can go out to frolic or anything.”

He supposed she had a point. But that didn't mean he wanted her sitting alone with a stranger. “How about I bring him in and join you?”

“Like a chaperone?” She wrinkled her nose.

“Not ‘like.' I would be your chaperone.”

“That won't be necessary,
bruder,
” she said, her tone firm. “You may bring him down the hall. And then you can go do something else.”

Everything inside of him wanted to protest. To remind her that she was still a young, innocent girl and this caller was altogether too forward. But he'd promised himself to never interfere again.

“Fine. But I'm going to be in the kitchen just in case you need me.”

“
Danke,
Lukas.”

He turned on his heel and walked back down the hall.

Ben was standing awkwardly in the foyer. When he spied Lukas, he smiled. “What did she say?”

“You may follow me. Amelia said you can visit with her for fifteen minutes.”

“That's all?”

“That's more time than I would have given you. Come on.” When he arrived back in the hearth room, he performed the necessary introductions. “Amelia, this is Benjamin Miller. Ben, my sister Amelia. I'll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“Hello, Ben. Won't you sit down?”

Lukas turned on his heel before he heard any more. When he finally arrived in the comfort of the kitchen, he braced his hands on the sink and released a ragged breath. “I hope you are happy, God,” he said. “I know you were exactly right. It was much better for Amy to be seeing Simon than this fool. Or that . . . that Pierce, even. But just to let you know, I have no need for anymore reminders. I'm going to find a way to get Amelia and Simon back together. It needs to happen soon. The sooner the better.”

Then he sat down on a kitchen chair and watched the clock until it was time to get Ben Miller out of his house.