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Charlie sighed with relief. “Gut. That’s gut.” She could only hope that he wasn’t. She knew what could happen if farm equipment tipped over. Injuries could be as mild as simple bumps and bruises to severe loss of limb or life.
It took ten minutes or more for her to drive to the Abram Peachy house. She pulled her vehicle onto the dirt drive and parked close to the barn just as Nate exited the building. At his approach, Charlie experienced a constriction in her chest.
“Hold on a minute, and I’ll move him into our buggy,” he told her as he drew near.
“Use mine. There’s no need to move him.” She hesitated. “You might aggravate his injury.”
He sighed. “You’re probably right.”
It was clear that the last thing Nate wanted was for her to accompany them. “I’ll wait for you here,” she said quietly.
Something dark briefly crossed across his features. “The house is unlocked. You can warm up inside. Make yourself tea or something.” He paused. “You know where everything is kept.” And that bothered him, she realized.
Nate stepped back and waited for her to climb down. She watched as he got onto the seat she’d vacated before switching her attention to Jacob in the back. “You still oll recht in there, Jake?”
Jacob’s face was whiter than it had been earlier, but he nodded.
“Don’t worry. The doctor will fix you right up.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
“I don’t know how long this will take,” Nate said. “We could be gone awhile. Are you sure you don’t want me to move him so you can have your buggy and leave?”
“Nay. There is no place I have to be.” She stepped back and waited for them to leave.
Nate suddenly glanced down. “You’ve an apple pie in here.” He speared her with his gaze as he lifted it for her to see.
She shrugged then approached to get it. “I was going to take it to Leah, but she doesn’t know. I’ll bring it in and you both can have a piece when you get back.”
Nate handed her the pie through the open window along with her shopping list. “Pie smells gut.” He gave her a twisted smile. “Did you make it?”
She stiffened. “Nay, Mam did.” She knew instantly what he thought—that the pie wouldn’t be edible if she’d made it. His look of disappointment surprised. “You should get going. Jacob doesn’t look well at all.”
Charlie watched until the vehicle was out of sight before she returned to the house with the apple pie. She debated whether or not to make tea, as Nate had suggested. But then she thought of the fields yet to be mowed and the forecast for rain for the next few days and she headed toward the barn instead. Without thought, she readied the smaller of the two mowers. It wouldn’t take her long to finish the work that Jacob had started.
As she climbed onto the seat and urged the horses forward, she thought of Nate. He’d be upset with her for doing what he’d considered a man’s job. She drew in and released a sharp breath. The benefit of a job well-done was worth risking Nate’s anger. Once he realized how efficient she was in cutting hay, he’d be glad to see that she’d mowed a substantial amount of ground.
The task went smoothly. Charlie enjoyed herself as she worked to finish the back section of Abram Peachy’s farm. Time flew by and she realized that she’d been out longer than she’d expected. She stabled the horses and left the mower right where she’d found it.
There was no sign of her buggy in the yard as she headed back to the house. Her relief was short-lived as she became concerned about Jacob. The brothers had been gone a long while. Was Jacob that badly hurt?
Charlie put on the teakettle then set the table with the pie in the center. She made a fresh pot of coffee with the hope that the brothers would return soon enough to enjoy a hot cup. When she was done, she stepped outside. As the buggy pulled into the yard and parked near the house, she descended the porch steps.
“How is he?” she asked as Nate climbed out of the vehicle.
“He broke his foot,” Nate told her. “There’s a nice-size slice in it, too, which the doc stitched up.” He reached in to lift Jacob into his arms. “He’s been advised to stay off the foot for a while.” His brother looked groggy as Nate carried him toward the house.
Charlie raced ahead to open the door. She made a sound of concern at Jacob’s pallor.
“The doctor gave him a shot of pain medication,” Nate explained as he carried Jacob inside.
“Do you need help?”
“I can manage.” He shifted Jacob within his arms and brought him into the kitchen.
When she saw Nate looking for a place to set Jacob down, she rushed to pull out a chair. “Unless you want to take him into the great room.”
“I’d like to sit here a bit,” Jacob murmured sleepily. “Do I smell coffee? And what about that pie you promised us?”
She fretted as she studied him. “Jake, you don’t look good. Wouldn’t you rather lie down?”
“Nay. I will soon, though.” Jacob frowned up at his older brother, who stepped back after setting him down. “I’ll be of no help to you for a while, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll manage,” Nate assured him.
Charlie felt her throat tighten as she went to the stove. “Nate, do you want coffee, too?” she asked easily, pretending that she wasn’t upset by the morning’s events.
“Ja, please.” Nate took the chair next to his brother, as if he wanted to keep a close eye on him.
She could feel Nate’s gaze as she poured two cups of hot coffee then set one before each man. “Apple pie, or do you want a sandwich first?”
Nate’s study of her made her self-conscious. “Pie will do.”
Her lips curved slightly as she nodded. Charlie cut two large slices of apple pie.
“Aren’t you having any? Or do you have to leave?” Nate asked as she pushed a plate in his direction.
“I should go,” she said, stung by the question. “But I won’t until after I have some pie.” He looked amused when she gave him a false smile.
It was quiet as they ate. Glad when Nate didn’t make a smart remark, Charlie glanced from her plate to Jacob, who slumped in his chair. She was about to express her worry to Nate then caught him studying his brother with a frown.
“Time to rest, bruder,” Nate said gently. “Let’s get you into the other room where you’ll be more comfortable.”
While they were absent, Charlie quickly cleaned up the kitchen. She covered the remainder of the pie with plastic wrap and left it on the counter for them to finish later. She washed the dishes but left the coffeepot on the stove in case Nate wanted another cup.
She felt his presence as Nate reentered the room and sensed him watching while she put away the last dish.
“He settled in?” she asked, turning to face him.
“Ja, he’s already asleep.”
“I’m going to head out. I need to pick up a few things at the store for my mudder.”
He eyed her with consternation. “We’ve kept you a long time.”
“’Tis fine. Mam doesn’t expect me home yet. She’ll think that I decided to spend the day with Leah.”
“You had an unusual day today,” he said.
She chuckled. “That’s for sure.”
He sobered. “It wasn’t fair to ask you to stay.”
“I didn’t mind.”
He seemed relieved. He followed her as she headed toward the door. “Charlie? May I ask you one more favor?”
She halted and faced him. “Ja, of course.” He seemed to have difficulty choosing his words.
“What do you need, Nate?” By the look on his face, she figured out what he wanted to ask. “Shall I come to stay with Jacob tomorrow while you cut hay?”
Nate released a sharp breath. “You wouldn’t mind?”
She paused near the threshold. “Not at all.”
Warmth entered his blue eyes. “Are you sure?”
Feigning annoyance, she tapped her foot and crossed her arms. “I’m absolutely sure, Nate.”
“Danki.” His expression became serious. “But I need you to promise that you won’t tell anyone what happened,” he said. “You know that our neighbors like to natter.” His lips firmed. “Especially Alta Hershberger. If she or anyone finds out, word could get back to my eldre, and Dat will insist on cutting short their trip.” He paused. “He’s been waiting a long time to visit my grandparents. I don’t want to ruin his plans.”
“I understand,” she murmured. “If anyone asks why I’m here, I’ll tell them I’m cleaning house for you while you work in the fields.”
“Doesn’t your sister Ellie clean houses?”
“Ja, but I’ve spent enough time in your house helping your mam that it makes sense that I be the one to do it.”
His expression was unreadable. “Appreciate it.”
“I’d do the same for any neighbor,” she assured him.
He accompanied her outside. “Drive safely, Charlie,” he said sternly.
Annoyed, she nodded before she climbed into her buggy and drove away. She didn’t mind coming back the next day. Nate would be busy and she wouldn’t have to see or talk with him for long. She would be there for Jacob, the easygoing, much younger and friendlier Peachy brother.
Still, as she drove toward Whittier’s Store to buy the items on her mother’s list, she couldn’t help but think about Nate and wonder why she felt so drawn to the man. At times he treated her like a child, and she hated it. But then there were those other occasions when he studied her differently, as if he saw her as a woman, an attractive woman he found fascinating.
Charlie sighed as she stored the bought groceries onto the seat next to her. She was imagining things. Nate didn’t find her attractive or pretty or anything good.
She would get through tomorrow then concentrate on getting hired on as the new teacher for their Happiness School. Better to focus on that than on her disturbing fascination with Nathaniel Peachy.
Chapter Three (#u3d475f2b-a2e5-5383-ab72-1e17b06859f9)
Charlie stared at the cups and dishes that she’d left on the table after fixing Jacob and Nate breakfast then worked to clean up. Nate had left for the fields. She had given Jacob his pain medicine and he was in the great room, resting on the sofa.
Dishes cleaned and put away, she turned her attention to the time. Would Nate come in for lunch? He didn’t say.
Nate had seemed relieved to see her that morning, but he’d said little except in appreciation of the food she’d prepared for him and Jacob.
With breakfast done, she found herself at loose ends. Now what? What should she do now?
Charlie grinned. She’d clean the house from top to bottom. The brothers’ mam would be surprised to see a clean house when only her sons were in residence.
She’d hung up the wet tea towel she’d used to dry dishes when suddenly the back door slammed open. She gasped and spun to see a furious man. “Nate? What’s wrong?”
“Charlie Stoltzfus,” he snapped, “did you take out the mower yesterday while Jacob and I were at the doctor?”
Charlie flushed guiltily and glanced away. “I wanted to help.”
“And I told you to stay away from the equipment!” he burst out.
“I know how to mow hay!”
He approached, grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, but despite his intimidating height and expression, he didn’t hurt her and she wasn’t afraid. “You saw what happened to Jacob yesterday,” he said. His eyes were like blue ice. “What if you’d been hurt while we were gone? Who would have been here to help you?” He released her and stepped back. He turned away. Tension tightened the muscles of his back, and he clenched his fists at his sides. He spun to face her. “People die in farm accidents, Charlie!”
Guilt made her flush. She felt a painful lump in her throat. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Nate held her gaze. He looked big and handsome—and extremely upset.
“I’m sorry I used the mower without your permission.” She drew a sharp breath then released it. “I wanted to help. ’Tis supposed to rain soon and I knew you’d be missing a day’s work with Jacob’s accident yesterday. I thought if I finished what he’d started there would be less for you to worry about.” She fought back tears. Charlie shifted uncomfortably when he just stared at her. “Say something,” she said.
“You want to be schuulteacher,” he said harshly. “You have to think before you act, Charlie. Your behavior frequently gets you into trouble. How can you teach our community children if you jump into situations without giving a thought to the consequences?”
She felt the blood leave her face. “You don’t think I’d be a gut teacher.”
He sighed and approached her. “You need to be more careful. To grow up.” He placed his hands gently on her arms then soothed them down their length to take her hands. “I think you could be a fine teacher. You have a way with children. They listen to you and will gladly follow your lead.” He released her abruptly, his expression hardening. “But you won’t be teacher unless you can lead them by gut example. You have to stop jumping rashly into situations that can potentially be dangerous.”
“I know how to mow,” she insisted, stung. “And you refer to things I did as a child.”
He shifted away and crossed the room. “Maybe you do know how to mow. It doesn’t matter,” he said sharply. “I told you to stay away from the mowers and you didn’t. Gut intentions don’t make it right.” He leaned against the wall near the door. “And you acted like a child. A spoiled, disobedient child.”
“You’re not my vadder!” she yelled.
“Thank the Lord for that.”
Blinking sleepily, Jacob appeared in the doorway, clutching the door frame as he wobbled on one foot. “What’s going on?”
Nate studied his brother. “What are you doing up? If you fall, you’ll do further damage to yourself.”
“I thought I heard arguing.” The younger man glanced from her to his brother and back.
Charlie blushed. “We were just...”
“Having a serious discussion,” Nate said. His lips firmed. “She mowed hay yesterday while we were gone.”
Jacob glanced at her with surprise. “You did?”
Charlie hesitated then inclined her head. “I know how to mow. I’ve done it for my dat.”
Nate’s brother grinned. “How much did you get done?”
