A Sister's Wish (16 page)

Levi exhaled. After a pause, he said, “I thought maybe I'd spend the rest of the week here with Amelia. You know, help her out when I can. And make sure she doesn't have to deal with any more surprise callers.”

“You heard about them?”

“Jah.”
He rolled his eyes. “That Benjamin sounded way too pushy, and Pierce? He's an idiot. Like Amy wants to be around a mess of goats all day.”

“Did you talk to her about Simon?”

“Not really. It might take a while, but they're going to figure things out. They're meant to be together. They kind of always were.”

“You sound so sure.” How could his little brother be so sure? “She hasn't been making things easy for him.”

“Good. She's got some pride, of course. But Simon will climb whatever obstacle she puts in front of him. He loves her.”

“She knows about his past now.”

“She knows he's a good man, Lukas. And what's more, you and I both know he is, too. There is not another man in the county who will love Amelia like he does. He adores her.”

“Darla said the same.” When he noticed Levi tense, he said, “Do we need to talk about Darla and her siblings?”

“Nee.”
Shifting uncomfortably, he added, “Simon ain't the only person who has grown and changed recently. I learned a couple of things about paying dues and fresh starts after I left here.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Definitely not.” Staring at him hard, he said, “Just know this. I don't want to fight with you anymore. It's not worth it.”

“I agree.”

“And . . . well, I really don't want to pick a fight about love.”

Lukas couldn't resist smiling slightly. It was so good to know they were on the same page. “Me, either.”

Levi rocked again. “Luke, are you happy? That's what matters.”

“I am.” Trying to think of the right words, he continued. “Darla and me? I kinda feel like we're bookends.”

“Bookends.”

“
Jah
. We're very different people and we've got a lot of people in between us who matter. But she makes me feel at ease. Whole, I guess.”

“She always has.” Looking reflective, Levi said, “And about the accident, I was being unfair about her father and her family. I knew that it didn't really matter who was at fault or who did what that day. What mattered was that we lost some good men and we had to overcome our grief.”

“It's taken time, but I think we all have.”

“I suspect so. Hope so. We all need to look toward our futures instead of wishing our pasts were different. Ain't so?”

Lukas nodded. Looking out the window, he blinked in surprise. The large windows framed a full moon and more stars than one could ever hope to count. Some of the leaves had started to fall, making the branches look stark and still. Even though it looked so different than in the summer, with the beds of blooming flowers, leafy trees, and rolling hills covered with green grass, it was still beautiful.

It was a good reminder that beauty and promise could come from even the most drastic changes.

“Brother, if Amelia marries Simon, you'll be the only one of us that's unattached. After you get settled, it will be time for you to start doing a little bit of courting yourself.”

He chuckled. “I don't think so. I'm glad for all of you. I really am. But I'm not ready to start looking for a wife. I've got some things I need to do on my own first.”

There was that edge in his brother's tone again. Levi had secrets. A lot of them. Lukas wondered if those secrets were from what had happened in Charm or in Pinecraft. He knew his brother well enough not to pry, however. All that would get him was a scowl and resentment.

Instead, he yawned. “I better get some sleep. Dawn breaks early.”

“It always has. Good night, brother.”

“I'm glad you're back.”

“I know. I'm glad, too.”

Lukas smiled at him, but as he was walking to his room, he realized that Levi's smile hadn't quite reached his eyes.

Chapter 18

Tuesday, October 20

T
hese roses are beautiful, Simon,” Amelia said. “But I'm sure they were expensive. You're spoiling me.”

Sitting by her side, he shook his head. “They're just flowers from the market. I saw them on my way home from work today. They weren't all that expensive.”

“But still . . .”

“But still, if pink roses make you happy, I'll bring them to you all the time.” Looking at her directly, he said, “I like spoiling you.”

“Oh, Simon.”

Slowly he smiled. “You're blushing, Amy.”

“I guess I am.” Amelia couldn't pretend that she didn't enjoy his attention, however. She'd doubted she'd ever take his interest in her for granted. Little by little, she was becoming more at ease. She smiled more, teased him more, and even sometimes allowed her affection for him to shine through.

When they talked privately, Simon patiently answered every question about his past that she asked. To her surprise, she wasn't as disturbed or shocked by the things he'd told her as she'd first thought she would be. Maybe it was because she'd already imagined the worst. The truth was far easier to tackle than the outlandish worries she'd entertained those few days after she'd gotten home from the hospital.

What had been a surprise was that Simon was just as eager to learn more about her past. She surely hadn't expected that. Knowing he'd been close to her brothers and her father, Amelia had believed that he knew everything he'd ever wanted to know about her.

She'd been quite mistaken! Over the last few days, Simon had asked her questions about subjects she'd liked in school and friends she'd had. He'd also encouraged her to talk about the faint memories of her mother. When she'd cried while relaying a story about her mother sewing a special doll, he'd held her hand patiently.

He'd been so sweet, she even confided how she often felt like the odd one out in her family because she preferred to stay at home instead of work at the mill. Of course, when he'd kissed her cheek and confided that he was glad she wasn't around a bunch of men all day, she turned a bright red.

Last night, he'd joined the rest of the family in the living room. Rebecca and Jacob had come over, as had Hannah Eicher and her new English friend, Rob. They'd all pretended to put together a two-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. Actually, no one had done much of anything besides eat cherry pie.

But the whole time, Simon had stayed by her side. He'd been relaxed and fun. He'd chatted about all sorts of subjects. And he'd also been openly affectionate with her.

The first time he'd slipped his arm around her as she got her balance on her crutches, Amelia had been sure that Levi or Lukas was going to fuss. Instead, they'd acted like they wanted Simon to be attentive to her!

It had been both confusing and exhilarating.

But now as he stood at the front door, his hat in his hand, Amelia was beginning to wonder how he was getting anything done at his farm. He seemed intent on spending all of his free time with her.

“I can't seem to stay away from you, Amelia.”

“Can't?”

“I don't want to, either,” he replied, looking faintly amused. “Now that I have both your permission and your siblings' blessings, I don't want to spend another evening alone when I could be with you.”

He was so bold! She didn't mind that boldness, but she was still unsure of how to respond to it. Biting her lip, she shifted uncomfortably.

He noticed. “Don't worry. I'm not going to push you to do anything that you don't want to do,” he said with obvious care. “We can take things as slowly as you want.”

“I'm not sure if I need to go slowly. It's just that when you say things like that, I don't know how to respond.”

“That is the last thing you need to worry about. You can respond to me any way you want. Always.”

He looked so earnest, she couldn't resist teasing him a bit. “Always?”

He laughed. “Uh-oh. You're teasing me now.”

She was about to tell him that she liked teasing him when she could have sworn she heard Lukas mutter something under his
breath from the next room. Her brother tried to give them privacy, but he seemed incapable of leaving the house when Simon came calling. Instead, he and Darla retreated to a different room. But the walls weren't that thick, and she was well aware that her conversation with Simon sometimes drifted toward her brothers' ears.

It was beyond frustrating that the moment everything between her and Simon was finally coming together, they were being observed like teenagers.

Looking concerned again that he was being too pushy, Simon leaned forward. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing. It's just that this”—she waved a hand—“is getting irksome.”

He looked around. “What is?”

She gestured to her cast. “This. Or, I guess I should say,
that
.” Looking over her shoulder at the kitchen, which had gone suspiciously quiet, she said, “I feel like we might as well invite my family into every single conversation that we have. Because we're stuck in this room, we have no privacy.”

“We're not that bad, Amy,” Lukas called out.

The whole situation was so embarrassing, Amelia chuckled. “See what I mean?”

“How do you want me to fix this?”

She noticed that Simon's expression was completely serious. “Well . . . you can try to find a way to get me out of here for a little bit.”

“That's going to be kind of hard to do, considering that you've got a cast on your leg and all.”

“I know. And that's why I'm being so whiny. This couch is making my muscles achy and sore. That's bad enough. But
what's worse is how Lukas and Levi seem intent on watching everything we say and do like we are a pair of unruly
kinner
.” Glaring at the wall that separated her from her brothers, she said, “It's annoying.”

“I heard that, Amy!”

Unable to stop herself, she yelled right back. “Levi, you know what I am saying is the truth.” Looking at Simon again, she mouthed that she was sorry.

And then tried really hard not to cry.

A
S
S
IMON WATCHED
Amelia try to contain herself, he felt his patience snap. Lukas and Levi were being ridiculous. He wouldn't mind a little break from her nosy siblings, either.

Carefully, he ran a thumb over the tear track on her cheek. “Don't cry,” he said quietly. “I've got an idea to get you out of here. I'll be right back.”

When he walked into the kitchen, he saw that Levi, Lukas, and Darla were sitting at the kitchen table. Each of them looked like they'd never seen anything more fascinating than the cups of coffee resting in front of each of them.

Darla spoke first. “Hi, Simon,” she chirped. “Did you need something? Tea, maybe?”

“I don't need tea. I came in here to tell all of you that I'm taking Amelia to the barn.”

Lukas's eyebrows snapped together. “That may not be safe. It's kind of dark out and she doesn't navigate those crutches too well.”

“Lukas,” Darla moaned, “Amelia isn't helpless.”

“I'm being honest,” he protested. “Not interfering. Sorry, no offense, but I don't think Amy should be hopping around on them.”

“Don't worry. She won't need her crutches. I'm going to carry her out there.”

Levi coughed. “Say again?”

“You heard me. She and I want some privacy. You know we need some, too.”

Lukas looked pointedly at Simon's shirt. “You aren't going to start taking off your clothes again, are you?”

“What did you say?”

Lukas shrugged. “Amelia told Rebecca about your tattoo unveiling. She told me.”

Levi sat up straight. “Hey, I want to see them.”

“Not now,” Lukas said. “Darla's here.”

While Darla practically rolled her eyes, Simon tried to get control of the conversation. “I'm not going to be taking off any clothes. At least not tonight,” he added, just to irritate them a bit.

Lukas, as he'd expected, glared.

Not in any hurry to defend his honor further, Simon walked back to Amelia and leaned down. “Hold out your arms.”

“Why?”

“I'm going to carry you out to the barn.”

Her pretty blue eyes lit up. “You really are? I thought you were just needling my brothers.”

“I don't mind riling them up, but I'd never use you to do it. So, arms up. We've got a goat to visit.”

“You're going to take me out to see Princess?”

Returning her smile, he nodded. “Come on, now.”

“I'm not real light, Simon.”

“You ain't real big, either.” When she still looked hesitant, he leaned closer. “Trust me, Amelia. I promise, I won't drop you.”

She held out her arms. When he gathered her close, he told
himself to not think about how perfect she felt in his arms. How she smelled like sugar cookies and goodness. Or how she'd been right. She wasn't all that light, but she fitted very nicely in his arms. She curved into him and felt soft and feminine against him. Perfect.

After he leaned down slightly so she could open and shut the door, they were walking outside.

Right away, she closed her eyes and breathed deep. “It feels so good out here. I've missed being outside so much.”

“Would you rather sit on the front porch than in the barn?”

“
Nee
. I want to see my goat.” Looping her hands around his neck, she said, “Take me to the barn, Simon.”

He heard the humor in her voice. Knew she was teasing him. But still, he couldn't help but answer her seriously. “I'll take you wherever you want to go.”

They did the same thing to open the barn door, except he left it ajar so they could enjoy the cool evening breeze. When he spied a sturdy oak bench, he gently deposited her on it. Unable to help himself, he brushed his lips across her cheek. She smiled but didn't say a word.

Before he dared to kiss her again, he straightened. “Okay, let me go get this goat for you.”

He found a soft rope and walked down the aisle until he spied Princess. She was standing on a pile of clean straw and watching him intently.

“Want to see your mistress?” Simon asked as he opened her stall door.

Princess bleated and wiggled her ears.

He took that as a yes. Just as he was about to put the rope around her neck, she bleated and backed up a step.

Feeling a bit sorry for her, he moved to the side and let her trot through. Instantly, her little black nose went up in the air, then she turned to her right and scampered toward Amelia.

“Princess! Look at you!”

Simon rushed forward in case the small animal accidentally hurt Amelia. But instead of charging her, Princess stopped directly in front of her and tilted her head to one side. Just as if she was taking stock of how her owner looked.

Amelia laughed. “I know I look a sight. But I feel better than I look.”

Princess edged closer for a pet. Amelia leaned forward and ran one hand down the goat's side. “Oh, I've missed you.” Looking up at Simon, she said,
“Danke.”

“It wasn't anything.” Not wanting to crowd Amelia by sitting next to her on the small bench, he sat down on the cement ground and stretched his legs. After a few more pets, Princess wandered toward the back door into the small pen outside.

“Are you happier now?”

“Oh, you don't even know. I was going crazy.” She wrinkled her nose. “And my brothers? They are too old to be so difficult.”

He laughed. “I don't think brothers ever get tired of teasing sisters.”

“Do you ever still tease Tess?”

Come to think of it, he didn't know if he'd ever teased her. Their life had been too hard. But he did hope that one day they would be close enough to tease each other. “I don't think I've ever teased her, but I bet I will one day.”

There in the dim light, a new softness entered Amelia's eyes. “Oh, Simon. What am I going to do with you?”

He shrugged. “Be patient? I have a lot to learn about being in
a good relationship. But don't give up on me. I'm fairly smart. I can learn.”

“You know, I probably could teach you something about being in a relationship. I'm fairly smart, too,” she said airily.

He loved her gentle flirting. Pulling his knees up, he rested his arms on them. “What's the first lesson?”

She crooked a finger. “Well, the first thing you need to do is come sit next to me. People in a relationship don't sit so far apart.”

Hopping up, he moved to sit by her side. “How did I do?”

“Hmm. You earned a C, I think.”

“You gave me a C?” Even though they were only playing, he still felt vaguely disappointed. “What did I do wrong?”

“Well, I'm no expert . . . but if you are supposed to be courting me . . .”

“I am
definitely
courting you.”

“In that case, the correct thing for you to do is to put an arm around my shoulders.”

Carefully, he lifted an arm and curved it around her shoulders, shifting so she could lean closer. He closed his eyes and inhaled. “How is this? Better?”

“I'd say so.”

“Still a C?”

“
Nee
. . . most likely you earned a B-plus.”

“What? Amelia, what do I have to do to earn an A?”

Giggling, she said, “Simon, if I told you how to do everything, you'd never learn. If you intend to receive an A, you'll have to figure out what to do on your own.”

What he wanted to do would likely earn him a slap instead of an A+. Therefore, he simply kissed her brow.

And enjoyed the moment. Few had ever been so sweet.