Brush of Angel's Wings (28 page)

Jordan trudged toward the house. What was he thinking? Had he kissed her like he wanted, he would've complicated everything. He glanced behind him on the trail. Rachel not in sight, he dropped his pace. Hopefully she wouldn't linger after dark in the woods.

His heart ached listening to her talk about James. No wonder she didn't want to spend any time at the river. He shouldn't have gone there with hopes of finding an angel either.

Reaching the clearing, a pair of headlights caught his attention. He trotted toward the Hartzlers' driveway.

Kayla climbed out of her truck.

“Is something wrong?”

She looked him up and down. “Hello to you too.”

He smiled. “Sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude.”

“I came over to give you a message.” She dug in the back pocket of her jeans.

“A message?”

“Yeah. Remember when you borrowed my phone?” She tried to straighten the crumpled paper. “Apparently you posted something on a trucker site?”

“Oh, sorry.” He grimaced. “I should've told you.”

“Well, you got a reply from someone named Clint Engles.”

She handed him the paper. “I printed it off my e-mail.” Jordan squinted, trying to read the tiny print in the dark.

She pulled his arm. “Come on. You can sit in my truck and read it.”

His heart raced. He had never expected his father to contact him. Jordan climbed into the passenger seat of her pickup and removed his hat.

She flipped on the interior light.

For a moment, he tried to recall something more than his father's wavy dark hair. He couldn't. His hands trembled as he tried to read the paper.

Dear Jordan,

When I saw your post inquiring about me, I was thrilled. It's been a long time since I've seen you. You're a man by now, almost twenty-one. I miss that I wasn't a part of your youth. I hope, since you were looking for me, that you've forgiven me. I want to see you. Please contact me again.

Clint Engles

He looked up from the paper. “He wants to see me.”

Kayla rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I read it.” She pushed a few buttons on her phone and handed it to him. “Write him back.”

“Now?” His heart kicked up more beats. “I don't know what to say.”

“Tell him . . . Well, you might want to first tell him your friend gave you the message.” She giggled. “You probably don't want him thinking your e-mail name is Rodeo Girl.”

“Oh, great.”

She laughed harder.

Jordan glanced at the blank screen. When he looked up, he spotted Rachel in the headlight beam. She continued to the porch and looked over her shoulder before entering the house.

Jordan took a deep breath. He stared at the screen briefly, then typed a response.

Clint,

I didn't think you would contact me. I'd like to see you too. I'm staying in Hope Falls.

Jordan

He hit Send, then slapped his hand on his forehead. “I forgot to say I wasn't Rodeo Girl.”

“Oh well. Guess you'll have to let him think you wear pink when you ride.”

“You think that's funny.” He tried holding a phony scowl but laughed anyway. “Thanks for bringing me the message.”

“I'll let you know if he contacts you again.” She shifted on the seat to face him. “Is everything going all right here?”

“I'm doing well. They're really good people.”

“I see your hair is growing out.” She tugged at a section of hair covering his ear. “Cute ringlets.”

“You're embarrassing me.” He slapped his hat back on his head.

Her phone dinged. She glanced at it and held the phone out toward him. “He responded.”

Jordan's heart started up again. His father. Right now just a wave of technology away. He read the message.

Jordan,

My refrigerated trailer on my rig broke down, so I'm waiting for a loaner trailer to finish a few deliveries on the west coast. Then I'll head to Michigan. I'll contact you when I get to town. I won't be in Michigan long, but if you want, you can ride along with me from there. It'd give us time to catch up.

Clint

Jordan stared at the screen, not sure how to feel now that he might actually get to spend time with his father. It didn't seem real. “He's coming to Michigan and wants me to go with him on his deliveries.”

Kayla smiled. “That's great. When is he arriving?”

“I'm not sure. His rig is being repaired. He said he'd contact me when he gets to town.”

“I'll let you know when he does.” She glanced at the house. “I think we have someone watching us.”

Jordan peered at the upstairs window just as Rachel pulled away.

He gave Kayla back her phone. “I should let you get home. We have church tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

As he climbed out, he looked up at Rachel's bedroom window, now empty. His stomach knotted.

Rachel stared out the window in disbelief. One moment Jordan attempted to kiss her, and the next, he was sharing another girl's company—in her truck. With the light on in the vehicle, Rachel could see them with their heads together, laughing.

How dare he toy with her heart.

She moved away from the window. “God, I wanted him to kiss me. I am so foolish to have believed his words to me.” She dropped to her knees beside her bed. “Lord, I ask that you forgive me. I've had a bad attitude for so long. Please forgive me. Help me to become the person you want me to be, a person pleasing to you. I love you, God. And I place
mei
trust in the plans you have for
mei
life. Even if they don't include Jordan, or marriage.”

Nathaniel chanted praises to God. He celebrated his charge's repentant heart because of the glory her sacrifice of praise offered to God.

Jordan stole a glance at Rachel seated on the women's side of the barn. If today was like the other church services he'd attended, it was likely the bishop would dismiss them shortly.

During breakfast she refused to make eye contact with him. Either she was upset that he'd almost kissed her, or she was upset about him sitting with Kayla in her truck. Whatever the cause, he didn't want her angry.

The moment the service ended, he headed toward the women's side. Rachel stood with Naomi, and although Rachel glanced at him, she didn't smile.

A heavy hand clapped his shoulder. Jordan turned to find Timothy standing beside him.

“Micah's making
gut
progress.”

“He only limps slightly now.”

“I'm glad you've stayed to help him. As swamped as I've been, I wouldn't have had much time.” Timothy glanced over his shoulder toward the women. “How are you and Rachel getting along?”

“She's a great person.”

Timothy crossed his arms and grinned. “
Jah
. . . and . . .”

“She's upset with me. Is that why you're asking? Did she tell Sadie something?” Jordan furrowed his brows.

“Not that I'm aware of. Why is she upset?”

“I sat in Kayla Davy's truck to read and respond to a text message. Rachel saw us. Now she's avoiding me.” He kept silent about trying to kiss Rachel.

Timothy's brows rose.

“She thinks I'm interested in Kayla. But I'm not.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the note. “My father contacted me through Kayla's e-mail.” He handed it to Timothy, not sure why he was compelled to explain his actions.

Timothy read the note and handed it back. “How long has it been since you've seen him?”

“Years. The only thing I remember is he had wavy dark hair.” Jordan folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket. “He's a truck driver.” He glanced at Rachel. She, Naomi, and three other girls, whose names he couldn't ever get straight, stood together by the far table.

“I need to talk with her,” Jordan said. He quickly realized this wasn't the place. Not with the entire church membership eyeing them.

Timothy clapped Jordan's shoulder. “Pray about what to say. Maybe leaving isn't the answer.”

Chapter Twenty

R
achel crawled on her hands and knees, sloshing the sudsy water over the plank floor.

Sadie entered the house, her arms loaded with material for sewing. “
Ach
, you've got a cool breeze in here.”

“I opened the windows to air the place out.” Rachel pushed off the floor and slid barefoot over to her sister. “The floor's slippery, so watch your step.” She wiped her hands on the front of her dress, then reached for the bundle from her sister's arms. “
Mamm
took
Daed
into town for his appointment. They shouldn't be gone too long.”

“Spring cleaning?” Sadie teetered as she crossed the floor.

“
Jah
, I want to surprise
Mamm
.” Rachel set the stack of material on the kitchen table. “How are you feeling?”

“Very pregnant.” She lowered herself onto the chair and let out a slight groan. “It feels like an effort just to breathe.”

“Isn't that what all pregnant women complain about?”

“
Jah
. So now I know.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Water sounds better.” Sadie propped her legs up on the opposite chair and puffed out a few quick breaths.

“Are you sure you feel up to sewing today?” Rachel filled a glass with tap water and handed it to her sister. “Your face is flushed and you look tired.”

“You sound like Timothy.”

Rachel smiled. “Perhaps you should listen to your husband.”

She filled another glass with water and sat across from Sadie.

“He would have me on bed rest.” Sadie rolled her eyes. “I have too much to do before the
boppli
arrives.” She winced and shifted into what looked like an uncomfortable position. Leaning to one side, Sadie held the lower section of her belly. “If the
boppli
isn't kicking
mei
bladder, it's poking at
mei
ribs.” She shifted again and the tension eased from her face. “Tell me about Jordan. Have you two had much time to talk?”