Rebecca's Bouquet (14 page)

She gave a happy shrug.

“I'll never forget when you made Aenti Sarah chicken and dumplings after she pulled a shoulder muscle.”

Rebecca laughed. “I'd forgotten that.”

William's face turned serious. “Too bad Dad's condition isn't as simple as a pulled muscle. I wish he was healthy and happy again. It would be nice to have an easy fix.”

“Yes.” Rebecca considered his statement. It would be wonderful to have an easy fix for many things. The partnership, for instance.

She said in a low, confidential tone, “You know my thoughts.”

“About something good coming out of something bad?”

She gave a confident nod. “I've said it before, and I'll tell you again. I truly believe that Daniel's heart condition is God's way of bringing you together.”

William stepped forward and stared down at the ground. When he finally raised his gaze, he regarded her with curiosity. “Maybe.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Of course it is. If it weren't for the heart attack, we wouldn't be here . . . which means you wouldn't have spent time with him . . . which means he wouldn't have offered you a partnership. That's a good thing, William. Don't you see? Obviously, he wants to play a larger role in your life.”

The serious look on William's face was so attractive. His eyes took on that intriguing appearance. The small groove in his chin intensified. He was positively handsome.

William stepped closer. The vulnerable expression on his face made Rebecca's heart pick up speed. Their gazes locked.

“I owe you an apology.”

Her eyes didn't leave his as she raised a curious brow. “For what?”

“Oh, gee. It's about our conversation about Dad and Beth . . . I've been thinking, and I was totally selfish.”

Rebecca squared her shoulders. “What?”

He shrugged disappointedly. “I don't know what got into me. I can't believe I was so wrapped up in resentment when Dad was in a hospital struggling to live. My mother would be disappointed in me. I was thinking of myself when I should've been focused on him.”

With a comforting hand, she patted his shoulder. “It's okay, William. Talking things out always helps.”

He nodded and smiled a little. “What's happened to me, Rebecca? Why was I so self-centered?”

She moved her hand to his neck and caressed the tight knot there. She watched him close his lids.

“You're far from selfish, William.” She paused. “In fact, you're the most generous person I know.”

When he opened his eyes, his expression lightened with hope. “Really?”

“Jah.”

“Remember when we used to go to the singings?”

Rebecca grinned. “Those were the good old days. I'm glad we have nice memories. And we'll make more. But right now, it's our responsibility to deal with these issues and get past them. Just think of all you've faced.”

He gave a mischievous roll of his eyes. “I guess this is payback for all of those stress-free years.”

“Maybe. But we can't let pressure get the best of us. I've read that stress makes a person's mind fuzzy. It wears you out so you can't think straight.”

“So how do I clear my head of the fuzz?”

“Good question. I think that if we focus on the positive, getting through this ordeal with Daniel will be easier to cope with.”

He looked at her to continue.

She raised her voice for emphasis. “We completed that entire Kreggs order. That's amazing! William Conrad, you've done a marvelous job.”

“I certainly didn't do it alone.”

“I'm glad I could help.”

William smiled a little and touched her shoulder. “I'm going back to the shop to tidy up. Are you coming?”

“In a few minutes.”

As Rebecca watched William walk away, a nice feeling filled her chest. She was proud of him. William was a good, honest man.

On that thought, she hoisted her bag of weeds over her shoulder and picked up the watering can. After giving her garden a satisfied glance, she dropped off her gardening things inside of the garage and washed her hands in the work sink.

As she made her way to the entrance of the woodworking shop, the dream of a floral shop still lingered like the sweet taste of homemade chocolate. But that glimmer of happiness quickly evaporated as she noticed the couple waiting at the cash register. It was Henry Kreggs. And Natalie.

Chapter Nine

It was five o'clock. As William moved the broom over the concrete floor, sawdust floated in the air. The clinking sound of tools filled the building as workers cleaned up. William was pleased about the completion of Henry Kreggs's order.

His dad's business was thriving. Even so, an uncertain ache filled William's chest as he thought of his father. When would his dad be well enough to resume his role at the shop? Would he even work again? If not, William would be forced to decide whether or not to stay and run the company.

Right now, his future with Rebecca seemed dependent on his dad's heart condition. William pushed out a sigh of frustration. He had never been so confused. He was pulled in two different directions.

He'd promised Rebecca their stay here was temporary. At the same time, he felt a tremendous obligation to his dad, even though his father had left him. And then, there was the partnership offer . . .

Aenti Sarah, Uncle John, and members of the church had raised him to be responsible. But what about his commitment to Rebecca? How could he do what was best for her
and
his dad?

Rebecca's voice brought him back to reality. Several feet away, she ran a cleaning rag over a workbench.

“What did the Kreggses want?”

Continuing his task, he glanced at her. “They stopped by to thank us for a lovely job.”

As Rebecca made small talk, William's instincts told him that the crux of her interest was Henry's daughter. At the thought of Natalie, William frowned. This afternoon, he'd been attuned to her special attention to him. Rebecca was right.

But William didn't care for Natalie's aggressive nature. She was much more forward than the Amish girls he'd grown up with.

He preferred polite, conservative Rebecca by a long shot. To William, flirting was superficial. He wasn't comfortable with the way Natalie flashed her pretty smile and asked questions about things she surely wasn't interested in.

He hadn't missed the look of disapproval on Rebecca's face when Natalie had talked with him. And he'd taken note of the unusually terse conversation between him and Rebecca following Natalie's departure.

But William couldn't ignore Henry Kreggs's daughter. They were his dad's biggest clients, and their recommendation to others was important. A huge part of the business was word-of-mouth.

Even so, Natalie wasn't high on his priority list. The more William considered the offer to become a partner, the more he wanted it. At the same time, he dreamed of marrying Rebecca and making her the happiest woman in the world. But he knew Rebecca's heart.

She was his soul mate. However, for the first time in his life, there was something he couldn't discuss with her. His father's offer. As soon as he'd mentioned it, the disappointed, concerned look on her face had told him everything he'd needed to know.

Of course Rebecca didn't want to settle down in Indiana. And no one could have predicted his father would have suffered a second heart attack and that William would make so many new decisions on his own. He couldn't ask Beth to take on more responsibility than she already had.

As he glanced behind him, he considered the huge decision riding on his shoulders. He knew Rebecca didn't want to hear about the offer again. And he couldn't bring it up. Because he was in a no-win situation. If he accepted, Rebecca suffered. If he didn't, he'd let his dad down. Himself, too.

He rolled his shoulders to rid them of tension. He didn't like keeping things from her. But how could he discuss the partnership with her if she didn't want it?

As he dumped the pile of sawdust into the garbage, Rebecca's voice startled him. “I'm making your favorite dinner tonight.” She paused and darted him a proud smile. “Chicken and dumplings.”

He turned to her. “You're an angel.”

She stepped closer. When she raised her chin, their gazes locked. The warmth in her eyes emanated like a soft blanket on a cold winter's night. The reassurance in her voice eased his tension. “Anything for you.”

“You never cease to amaze me. How do you manage to cook dinner
and
work in the shop?”

“I boiled the chicken early this morning. The noodles are dry. All I have to do is throw everything in a pan of boiling water.” She winked. “It's all about organization.”

He laughed. “Multitasking?”

She nodded. “You said it.”

As he looked at her, guilt filled his chest until he thought it would burst.

She deserved his best. How he yearned to promise her everything she wanted. But how could he? His own dream conflicted with the idyllic life Rebecca wanted.

Her brows drew together in a sudden frown. She lowered her voice. “Something's bothering you, William Conrad. Tell me what it is.”

“I'm tired. And worried about Dad.”

He was quick to notice the skeptical look she darted at him.

“Is that all?”

Rebecca knew him too well. It was impossible to hide things from her. And he didn't want to. It was just that this time . . .

She took his arm in hers. “Let's wash up. A good dinner will make you feel better.”

He agreed. How he wished chicken and dumplings would solve his problems. But his situation wouldn't be easily fixed. And there was no perfect solution. So, he'd have to give up his dream. Or sacrifice Rebecca's. Which would it be?

* * *

When Rebecca opened the mailbox and glimpsed the envelope from Sam, a happy grin tugged at her lips. She'd only mailed his letter five days ago. Without wasting time, she closed the mailbox and set the pile of mail on the rocky ground. Letter in hand, she made herself comfortable on the decorative rock beside her. She tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter.

Beth pulled into the drive and waved. Rebecca returned the gesture. She tapped her foot to a nervous beat while she skimmed the neat black writing that lined the page.

Rebecca's heart picked up speed as she pulled the paper closer to her chest.

Rebecca paused and considered the statement. As always, Old Sam was right. The thought that perhaps William was merely enjoying a temporary privilege prompted a new spark of hope within her. She adjusted her position on the rock and read on.

Pensive, Rebecca gazed at the words in front of her, but her mind was on William. She barely heard the hammering sounds coming from the shop. Or the humming of the electric saws penetrating the oak.

The pleasant aroma of freshly cut grass filled the air. The scent reminded her of home . . . and of Old Sam's words of wisdom. Even though it was obvious that he wanted her to make her own choice, he had given her something to think about. His point about Rumspringa was correct.

Perhaps William was merely taking advantage of this short-lived freedom. Rebecca pulled in a deep, hopeful breath.

At that moment, he appeared in the distance. As he raised a hand, he hollered, “I need your input.”

In response, she gave a firm nod. He turned and stepped toward the shop. But she stayed put for a few blissful moments while hope spread through her.

When she considered the circumstances, was it really wrong for William to enjoy the ESPN channel? Or air-conditioning? He had come to Indiana with a goal. He'd had good intentions. Deep down inside, she believed his roots would eventually overcome the temptation to become English.

She returned the letter to its envelope. Bending, she gathered the remaining mail and stood to make her way to the house, where she would lay the bundle on the table before returning to the shop.

Old Sam's letter had been a blessing. A renewed hope stirred within her, wrestling with her doubts until she was convinced everything would be okay.

* * *

The next evening, William walked beside Rebecca down the trail behind the Conrad property. Both wore blue jeans. William had left his hat in the house. The jeans and loose T-shirt felt comfortable against his skin. The metal pail in his hand swung back and forth with his gait.

The warm breeze caressed the back of his neck. He smiled at Rebecca. “There's something you should know.”

“Jah?”

“You look mighty fine in blue jeans.”

She laughed a little. “Thank you. They're comfy. It was nice of Beth to lend them to me, even though I feel a bit on the rebellious side.”

“You shouldn't.” He cocked a brow. “It is Rumspringa.”

“True. And I've been dying to try them.”

“This is the only time it's okay to do English things. You wouldn't want to waste the opportunity, would you?”

“I guess not.”

“If this is the most rebellious thing you ever do, I think God will forgive you.”

She cleared her throat. “William, do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Of course not.”

“Do I look as good in jeans as Natalie?”

The question prompted a laugh. “That's the last thing I expected to hear.”

“But do I?”

William's voice was firm. “Natalie could never hold a candle to you.”

Rebecca grinned as she nudged his elbow.

Rebecca stepped over a tree stump.

“I even confessed my desire to wear jeans to Katie.”

“You did?”

Rebecca nodded.

“What did she say?”

Rebecca gave a casual shrug of her shoulders. “That I should try them. And . . . that she had even driven a car.”

“Good for her. That's next on my list.”

Rebecca stopped a moment to run her hands down her thighs.

“Something wrong?”

“No. I'm just not used to slacks. But no complaints. How does that T-shirt feel?”

“I could wear it every day.”

“It wouldn't be hard to make me put these on again.”

“Then will you?”

Rebecca hesitated. “I doubt it.”

“Why not, if they feel right?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I'm who I am in my dress and kapp. You know me, William. Rebecca Sommer belongs in her Amish attire.” She sighed. “I suppose I'm too much of a creature of habit to change.”

The statement prompted William to think. What she said was very true. Rebecca's upbringing was more engrained in her than anyone he knew. And during the month they'd spent here, he'd clearly seen that she hadn't been tempted by the English ways like he was.

As he glanced at her, he saw a stubbornness that wouldn't allow her to change even if she wanted to. In many ways, he wished that he was as strong in his beliefs as she was in hers. He kept his thoughts to himself, though.

There was enough conflict between them already, and it wouldn't behoove either one of them to focus on their differences. Especially with the business offer weighing heavily on his mind. He deliberately changed the subject.

“I hope we can find those raspberry bushes Beth talked about.”

Rebecca smiled a little as she walked at his side. “I have an eye for raspberries. In a few hours, I'll be baking pies for Daniel in Beth's wonderful double oven.” She giggled. “And unlike Martha Wagler, I'll add sugar!”

They laughed.

Several steps later, William looked ahead and took a deep, satisfied breath. So many things flitted through his mind as the sun flooded the sky with a mixture of colors that seemed to morph into one shade: Daniel's condition. The shop. The offer. What William would do if his father didn't recover.

He shrugged his shoulders to rid himself of the cumbersome worries. “It feels good to be outside, doesn't it?”

Rebecca nodded. “July's my favorite month. There's something so comforting about the middle of summer. Old Sam always says that there's nothing like a warm day to soothe the soul. As usual, he's right.”

William arched an inquisitive brow. “Does your soul need soothing?”

He noted a slight hesitation and frowned. Of course, she was going through difficult times of her own. And he was to blame. He had burdened her with Daniel's offer. And now Rebecca carried that burden on her own shoulders. William didn't deny that this offer had put a barrier between them. Yet, he felt the need to get it out in the open, hoping Rebecca would be able to offer advice as wise as Old Sam's.

But it was a dilemma without an easy solution. He wanted to erase the tension between them. But how?

She stepped into a dip in the ground and lost her balance.

He was quick to steady her. “Whoa. Are you okay?”

She laughed a little as she stopped and rubbed her ankle. She motioned to the ground. “I didn't see that coming.”