The Protector (19 page)

“Some.” Bringing his legs up, he rested his arms on his knees. “We get along well,” he murmured. “Actually, Jenna seems to like just about everything I do. Unlike some people,” he said sarcastically.

“What is that supposed to mean? Are you talking about me?”

“Obviously. You’d say the sky was green if I called it blue.”

Stung, she got to her feet. “That’s not true.”

Grinning, he stood as well. “Perhaps not strictly true. But you have to admit, Mattie Lapp, we spar more than any two people I’ve ever met.”

“It’s all in fun.”

“Yes. But thank goodness we aren’t interested in each other.”

She blinked. “Yes. Thank goodness.”

Just as quickly as it had come, his teasing grin vanished. In its place was a speculative glance. Making her feel like he was reading her mind.

What was he thinking? Did he, too, think that there was more to the two of them than they’d ever imagined?

Of course, it didn’t matter.

“The laundry will be dry soon,” she murmured.

He stepped backward. “Yes. Then you don’t need me anymore.”

She needed him in her life, but that couldn’t happen. “
Nee
. I don’t need you . . . for the laundry.”

“Then I’ll be on my way.” His gaze gentled for a moment. He raised his hand. For a split second, she was sure he was going to run his fingers along her cheek.

But of course he did not.

“Goodbye, Graham. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes. Goodbye, Mattie.”

As Mattie watched him leave, she had the sudden feeling that they were saying goodbye to far more than just the day.

Chapter 30

“E
lla, do you feel like having some visitors?” Mattie asked. “Loyal and Katie are out on the front porch.”

“They’re here to see me?”

“Of course.”

Ella smoothed her dress and apron around her legs and lap. Just this morning, Mattie had helped her dress; and though the process of getting dressed with a hurt collarbone and a cast on her leg had been exhausting, the results had been worth it.

Now, at least, she felt more like herself. Over the last two days, her wounds were still hurting, but the worst of the pain had definitely abated. “Do I look okay?”

“You look great. Much better,” Mattie promised. “Now you sit still and I’ll go bring them in here.”

Ella watched from her spot on the couch. The moment Mattie approached the screen door, Loyal opened it from the other side. After greeting her, he sauntered into the
sitzschtupp
. “Ella, hello.”

As usual, his smile was sunny and perfect.

Leaving Ella feeling even more aware of her scars and injuries. “Hello. And hello to you, too, Katie dear.”

Wary, Katie edged forward far behind Loyal. When she was a full two feet away, she stopped, her eyes wide.

“Katie, does the bandage on my head scare you?”

After a hesitation, Katie nodded. “And the others, too. You’ve got cuts on your face.”

“I know.” Lifting up the hem of her dress a bit, she said, “And I have a pink cast.”

“I’ve been sad about you,” Katie stated, then stepped closer, her hand out.

“
Nee
, Katie,” Loyal said.

But Ella knew what Katie had in mind. “Did you want to touch my cast?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You may rub it gently, if you want. It feels rough,
jah
?”

After rubbing her hand along a good six inches of Ella’s cast, Katie looked at her and smiled.

Sharing a smile with Loyal, Ella said, “Seeing you here makes me happy. I’m glad you came to visit.”

Katie skipped back to the front door, bent down to picked something up, then returned with a wrapped package. “Ella, we have a present for you.”

“You do?
Danke
.” Smiling at both of them, she turned the brightly wrapped box over in her hands. It was rather big, about the size of a puzzle box. But heavier.

What in the world could it be?

She shook it again, enjoying the expectation almost as much as a child would. It had been quite a while since someone had given her such a fancily wrapped package.

But Katie, obviously, was having none of those same feelings. “Don’t’cha want to open it?”

Beside her, Loyal pressed one firm hand to her shoulder. “Katie. Mind your manners. This isn’t about what you want, remember?”

“Sorry,” she said.

“I don’t mind your excitement at all. Come here and sit with me and help, would you?” Ella saw her hands were trembling slightly. A little embarrassed about that, she put the package down on her lap but motioned Katie closer. “All this paper might be too much for me. Do you think you could help?”

“Uh-huh.” When Loyal’s hand dropped, she edged closer to Ella. Her eyes were shining with happiness, making Ella’s heart expand. Oh, she did so love children, and Katie especially.

“Here you go,” Ella said, handing the package to Katie. “Help me unwrap.”

“You’re going to love it,” Katie blurted, breaking the tape and ripping the wrapping paper with great enthusiasm. A three-inch line of paper fell onto the wood floor.

Ella laughed.

But Loyal sighed. “Careful now, Katie,” he warned.

When the paper was completely off, Loyal placed the box back on Ella’s lap. “It’s your turn to open the present now.”

Ella followed directions, lifting the cardboard lid and handing it to Katie. Next, she opened the tissue covering.

And then she stilled, her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, my,” she said. “It’s
schee
! Beautiful.”

“Take it out, yes?”

Carefully, she took out the large square wooden box, finely made out of oak and stained a rich, deep brown. Hinges were on one side. She opened the lid, enjoying how the hinge was so smooth. The inside was lined with dark green velvet.

“It’s a memory box,” Loyal said, his expression kind. “I saw it and thought of you.” He shrugged. “And, of course, the Bible verse made me think of you.”

She ran a finger along the words engraved into the wood. “
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,
” she read. A little tremor went through her. It was as if Loyal had read her mind and then inscribed the words onto the lid of the box.

Beside her, Katie ran her finger along the writing, too. Then, seemingly satisfied that their gift was liked, she left them. Behind them, the door opened and shut, followed by Katie’s chatter to Mattie and her parents.

Now they were completely alone. And Ella wished she had better control of her emotions. Tears threatened to fall, and her emotions were so high, she was almost afraid to speak.

But of course she needed to.

“This verse, it means so much,” she said, trying to describe her feelings. “These past few months, with my mother passing and then selling the farm, and finally everything going on with Dorothy . . . I’ve never felt more alone.” She looked at Loyal, hoping there was a way she could make him understand what was deep inside her soul. “But I’ve also never felt so close with the Lord. It’s like he’s been talking with me, holding me up, giving me strength.”

“That’s what faith is, yes? The certainty that the impossible can happen?”

Ella looked at him in wonder. Never would she have imagined that Loyal ever thought like that. He seemed so grounded, so surrounded by the love of his family. Though she knew he believed in God, of course, she hadn’t imagined that he would have relied on faith, too.

“Yes,” she finally answered. “That is what faith is to me. It means believing in our Lord, no matter what.” Though she knew no words could adequately convey the strong emotions building inside of her, she tried her best. “I truly do thank you for this.”

“I’m glad you like it. I thought, maybe, you would like to start putting some of your special things inside it.” His eyes darkened. “I know you still regret selling so much at the auction.”

She shook her head. “I don’t,” she protested. “Not anymore. It was all just
stuff
. The memories are what I will cherish. Though, I have to admit that I will enjoy keeping special things in this in the future.”

Suddenly, she felt like they were too close. After carefully setting the keepsake box back in the cardboard container, she scooted a few inches away.

Loyal stood up.

Looking up at him, she suddenly had the urge to stand by his side. “Could you help me stand for a moment?” she whispered.

“Ella, I don’t think that’s wise.”

“I’ve used crutches to get to this room. It would be nice to be on my feet, at least for a few moments.”

Looking as if he could deny her nothing, Loyal bent and grasped her waist. With her arms on his shoulders and her good foot on the ground, she pushed herself upright.

“Better?” Loyal murmured, his hands still at her waist.

“Better.” Liking the feel of him, she kept one hand on his shoulder, the other on his bicep.

When he looked down at her, his gaze gentle, Ella relaxed. Standing there beside him, she didn’t feel too tall at all. As a matter of fact, they were compatible in many ways. He was only a few inches taller than she.

And he was a large man. His shoulders were wide—far wider than hers. All of him was much bigger. Making her think for the first time that maybe she didn’t need to have another woman’s petite beauty to garner a handsome, good man’s attention. Maybe she didn’t need perfect eyesight. Or bright blue eyes.

Or a sparkling, fiery personality.

For Loyal Weaver, maybe she only had to be herself.

Swallowing, she met his gaze again. What she saw there made her heart melt. There was complete acceptance there, even though at the moment she had cuts on her face and hands and bruises all over. With one hand, he trailed a path down her arm, finally coming to a stop on the top of her hand. With a featherlight touch, he traced a path over her knuckle.

“Ella, when you are feeling better, I’d like you to come over. To the farm.”

“I’d like that. I can’t wait to see what other improvements you’ve made.”

“I’ll be glad to show you everything I’ve been working on,” he said quietly as he reached out and brushed two fingers along her cheek. “But, really, I want you to come over because I want to be alone with you.”

With effort, she contained her surprise. Loyal looked troubled and earnest all at the same time. What a funny combination! “Well, I’ll look forward to it.” Though every muscle in her body ached, she straightened a bit. “I’m sure I will feel better soon.”

Loyal turned, carefully rested both of his hands at her waist. His grip was secure, making sure she didn’t fall. But tender, too.

She felt guarded by his arms. Protected. Clumsily, she raised her other hand so both rested on his shoulders. In a rush, she felt heat flood into her cheeks. Never before had she been held like this.

And goodness, it wasn’t even really an embrace. She didn’t know what it was.

Loyal smiled. “This is nice.”

“
Jah
. I mean, it is.”

To her surprise, he leaned a small bit closer. Just moving those three inches changed things considerably. Now his whole palm instead of his fingertips curved around her waist.

Now her wrists lay on his chest. She swallowed.

His gaze darkened. “One day, Ella . . .” he murmured. “One day maybe we’ll stand together.”

What was he talking about?

Afraid to ask and spoil the moment, Ella said nothing, simply stared at him . . . before closing her eyes as he leaned closer and brushed his lips against her cheek.

He stepped away in a rush. Dropped his hands. “I had best collect Katie and leave you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I had better.” Almost sheepishly he looked at her again before helping her back to her seat. “I’ll visit you again tomorrow.”

“All right,” she said helplessly. Picking up the box, she looked at the engraving in the wood while he went to retrieve his sister. Then she watched them walk out of the house.

Mattie followed them out to the porch, stood next to Loyal and Katie and said goodbye as they walked toward the path.

When they were completely alone, Ella looked at the box and then at Mattie. “I’m not quite sure what just happened.”

Crouching in front of her, Mattie admired the gift. “What did happen?” she asked with a smile.

“Loyal gave me this. Said it reminded him of me. And then we stood together.” She tried to think of a way to describe their embrace that wasn’t really one.

To describe his kiss that was truly nothing more than a brief brush of his lips against her cheek. But no descriptor seemed appropriate.

Finally, she gave up. “I don’t know how to describe it. It was just . . . nice.” She frowned. Nice certainly wasn’t the correct way to describe how she felt . . . how blue Loyal’s eyes were.

But Mattie just looked at the box, then at her . . . in a dreamy way. “Oh, Ella. It sounds perfect.”

“It was perfect.”

Mattie laughed. “Come now, it’s time for you to go lie down.”

“Oh, I couldn’t—”

Mattie laughed again. “Oh, Ella. If you could see yourself.”

“Do I look awful?”

She shook her head. “
Nee
. Ella, you look happy. So very happy.”

And that, Ella realized, was true. She was happy. Completely at peace.

She’d almost forgotten what that had felt like.