and his Susie, the better.
At least, the better for her state of mind.
Her heart might tell a different tale.
She shook her head. She’d never been so befuddled before Jacob had arrived, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Jacob had even intruded on the nightly devotions, when Grossdaedi read from the big Bible right before they retired. If only her grandparents didn’t spend so much time with the family. Maybe if they had their own private devotions, she could go to bed without her final thoughts being on Jacob instead of on God. Jacob disrupted and invaded her sleep. God generally didn’t.
Last night, she’d tried to pray before falling asleep, but even then, her prayers had been mostly for Jacob.
Or maybe for herself.
And her dreams…ach! How could one man affect her so? Even Kent, with his smooth, cajoling ways, hadn’t captivated her thoughts like this Jacob.
It just wasn’t right.
But today would be good. She would get away from him and spend time gossiping with the women. It was a sin, for sure, but one that didn’t seem to stop anybody. She would enjoy it as long as they didn’t talk about her.
But that was almost always how it went.
She usually tried to stay in the shadows so that she could escape notice. And eavesdrop.
And Jacob, well, he could hang out with the buwe, or maybe with her onkel and the older men.
Anywhere he wanted to, as long as it was far away from her.
Jah, it would be a good day.
She carefully twisted her hair and pinned it up, then secured her white prayer kapp over it. Grabbing her apron, she tied it over her dress and hurried downstairs. Emma still slept. Becky would listen for her to wake up while she helped get breakfast on the table.
Thankfully, the men were still in the barn when she made her way into the kitchen. While she sliced the bread, Katie laid out the butter, jams, and jellies, and Mamm scrambled eggs and fried bacon. Ruthie set the table, laying out the plates and the eating utensils and placing the salt and pepper shakers in the center, while Grossmammi supervised from a nearby chair. Breakfast was ready when Daed, Grossdaedi, and Jacob came in and washed up.
“Gut morning, Bex.” Jacob’s deep voice held a teasing note.
Why did he have to target her? Becky’s stomach clenched. “Morning.” She avoided Jacob’s gaze, turning instead to see if anything else needed to be placed on the table. There was nothing left to do. Head lowered, she silently slid into her place.
At least she hadn’t been outright rude.
She swallowed hard and tried to focus her attention on the silent prayer. God, why did You send Jacob here to torment me?
***
Jacob climbed out of the buggy at the home of Daniel’s brother, Onkel David, as Ruthie called him.
Children were already running around, the little ones playing what appeared to be a game of tag. Several young girls sat in the dirt near the big barn doors, playing with kittens. And a group of teenagers and young adults were engaged in a game of volleyball.
Katie went to join in the game, while Becky disappeared into the house with her mamm.
Becky needed to be outside, playing.
Jacob eyed the house for a moment, frowning. But then he turned to join the game. Maybe she’d come out later.
He’d be surprised if she did.
Jacob merged into the game on the right side of the net. He nodded to the young man next to him, then fixed his eyes on the ball. The temperature had risen to almost fifty, at his best guess. The ice had melted, so the ground was soft and muddy, but he didn’t care. Clothes could be washed.
Though Becky would probably be the one washing them. He hated to create more work for her, and he hesitated for a second. But as the ball came toward him, he reined in his thoughts and prepared to play.
Sometime later, the ringing dinner bell interrupted the game. Jacob followed the others to the pump to wash up before going to the table loaded with fresh-baked bread, cold cuts, and other sandwich makings.
At least, the better for her state of mind.
Her heart might tell a different tale.
She shook her head. She’d never been so befuddled before Jacob had arrived, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Jacob had even intruded on the nightly devotions, when Grossdaedi read from the big Bible right before they retired. If only her grandparents didn’t spend so much time with the family. Maybe if they had their own private devotions, she could go to bed without her final thoughts being on Jacob instead of on God. Jacob disrupted and invaded her sleep. God generally didn’t.
Last night, she’d tried to pray before falling asleep, but even then, her prayers had been mostly for Jacob.
Or maybe for herself.
And her dreams…ach! How could one man affect her so? Even Kent, with his smooth, cajoling ways, hadn’t captivated her thoughts like this Jacob.
It just wasn’t right.
But today would be good. She would get away from him and spend time gossiping with the women. It was a sin, for sure, but one that didn’t seem to stop anybody. She would enjoy it as long as they didn’t talk about her.
But that was almost always how it went.
She usually tried to stay in the shadows so that she could escape notice. And eavesdrop.
And Jacob, well, he could hang out with the buwe, or maybe with her onkel and the older men.
Anywhere he wanted to, as long as it was far away from her.
Jah, it would be a good day.
She carefully twisted her hair and pinned it up, then secured her white prayer kapp over it. Grabbing her apron, she tied it over her dress and hurried downstairs. Emma still slept. Becky would listen for her to wake up while she helped get breakfast on the table.
Thankfully, the men were still in the barn when she made her way into the kitchen. While she sliced the bread, Katie laid out the butter, jams, and jellies, and Mamm scrambled eggs and fried bacon. Ruthie set the table, laying out the plates and the eating utensils and placing the salt and pepper shakers in the center, while Grossmammi supervised from a nearby chair. Breakfast was ready when Daed, Grossdaedi, and Jacob came in and washed up.
“Gut morning, Bex.” Jacob’s deep voice held a teasing note.
Why did he have to target her? Becky’s stomach clenched. “Morning.” She avoided Jacob’s gaze, turning instead to see if anything else needed to be placed on the table. There was nothing left to do. Head lowered, she silently slid into her place.
At least she hadn’t been outright rude.
She swallowed hard and tried to focus her attention on the silent prayer. God, why did You send Jacob here to torment me?
***
Jacob climbed out of the buggy at the home of Daniel’s brother, Onkel David, as Ruthie called him.
Children were already running around, the little ones playing what appeared to be a game of tag. Several young girls sat in the dirt near the big barn doors, playing with kittens. And a group of teenagers and young adults were engaged in a game of volleyball.
Katie went to join in the game, while Becky disappeared into the house with her mamm.
Becky needed to be outside, playing.
Jacob eyed the house for a moment, frowning. But then he turned to join the game. Maybe she’d come out later.
He’d be surprised if she did.
Jacob merged into the game on the right side of the net. He nodded to the young man next to him, then fixed his eyes on the ball. The temperature had risen to almost fifty, at his best guess. The ice had melted, so the ground was soft and muddy, but he didn’t care. Clothes could be washed.
Though Becky would probably be the one washing them. He hated to create more work for her, and he hesitated for a second. But as the ball came toward him, he reined in his thoughts and prepared to play.
Sometime later, the ringing dinner bell interrupted the game. Jacob followed the others to the pump to wash up before going to the table loaded with fresh-baked bread, cold cuts, and other sandwich makings.
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