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  For a moment, she didn’t respond. He still had his arm around her waist but he had given her some distance. The closeness of his face to hers made her feel uncomfortable yet, there was something exciting about it. He had called her “his girl” and that made her warm inside. But she was also afraid. Being close to someone meant trusting them and she had been hurt by too many who claimed they had cared.

  “Daniel,” she whispered.

  He opened his eyes and looked down into her face. “I want to take you for a nice buggy ride on Sunday, Rachel. After the family gathering, ja?”

  She nodded, finding it hard to speak. His voice was low and throaty. The look in his eyes was penetrating. She didn’t trust her own voice to respond.

  “I was proud of you today,” he said, brushing his fingers along the curve of her neck. He smiled to himself when he felt her shiver from his touch. “You worked hard and proved everyone wrong. I think you are doing wonderful gut, Rachel.”

  “Pride is sinful,” she said, her voice soft.

  “Then I sinned today because I had pride in you.”

  “Your brother left me alone today,” she said, changing the subject. “Wie gehts?”

  Daniel shrugged nonchalantly. He knew that there was no purpose in telling her about the exchange between Jake and Samuel that had seemed to suppress his brother’s delight in teasing her. “You won’t have troubles with him anymore, Rachel.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” she quipped. “He doesn’t seem the kind to give up easily without good reason.”

  “I gave him good reason,” Daniel replied. “Believe me. No one is going to tease my girl.”

  She smiled and relaxed. Holding hands, they began to walk down the lane, just enjoying the cooler night air, a welcomed relief after the hot afternoon. The sounds of the night surrounded them and the sky darkened above them as the sun set below the horizon. It was a perfect summer night.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Visiting Sunday was always a special day, especially in the summer time. With warm weather and blue skies, it felt like a true day of rest and relaxation. Afternoons might be spent fishing in a nearby pond or taking a nap under a shade tree. But when the family came together for a picnic, so much the better.

  Katie, Lillian, and Rachel had spent the good part of Friday and Saturday preparing food for the picnic. There were pies to make, bread to bake, and other food to prepare. After all, there were almost thirty-five people coming, including the Smucker family. And with so many people coming, the house needed a good cleaning as well.

  In the early morning, Rachel stood on the front porch, watching the sun begin its ascent over the horizon. The sky was red and orange, the color deep and mysterious. She stared at it, trying to see the exact moment when it lightened and became a true dawn, the birth of morning. She shut her eyes and listened to the birds wake and sing their songs. The men were already in the dairy, milking the cows. Breakfast and coffee were waiting for them. Rachel was glad to have this moment alone, to think and to reflect, before the family and neighbors descended upon the Lapp farm.

  “Your face is glowing,” he whispered in her ear.

  She jumped, startled at the warm breath upon her neck. “Daniel!” But she smiled nonetheless.

  He reached out and brushed a stray piece of hair away from her forehead. “I mean it. The sun is kissing your face with rays of light in so many lovely colors as if to say good morning.”

  She blushed. “Daniel, that’s very…”

  “Very what?” he asked, his voice low as he leaned toward her. “True?”

  “I was going to say poetic…”

  He chuckled softly. “Poetic isn’t very plain, is it now?”

  “Neither are your cowboy boots,” she teased back, taking a small step backward so that there was more space between them. With breakfast-time so close, she didn’t want to encourage any more of Samuel’s teasing by him catching her talking to Daniel in such an intimate situation.

  “What’s wrong with my cowboy boots?” he asked, looking down at his feet.

  She laughed as she shrugged. “Not very Amish, ain’t so?”

  Daniel laughed with her and, to her surprise, reached out to hold her arm, gently leading her toward the door to the house. The teasing time was over and it was time to sit down for breakfast. It didn’t surprise her that he was joining Junior and Lillian for breakfast. He seemed to be a fixture at their house for all meals once again. Rachel didn’t mind. It was comforting to be in his company and to feel protected by his presence.

  It was around eleven when Jake and Sylvia showed up. They had walked across the field, Sylvia carrying the baby and Jake carrying a large basket that Rachel knew was full of food. She was sitting on the porch, watching Linda and Jacob chasing some kitten in the driveway when she noticed the tall figure of Jake leading his petite wife and baby through the freshly cut field of hay.

  “Gut martiye,” Sylvia said as they approached the house. Without waiting to be asked, she handed Gideon to Rachel who was more than happy to take him. It was clear that Rachel loved the babies and was always eager to hold them. “Wunderbaar gut day for a family outing, ja?”

  Jake set the basket down on the porch and took of his hat. He wiped his sleeve across his forehead. “It could be raining cats and dogs, Sylvia, and I’d still be thankful to be invited to your mamm’s for some food and fellowship.”

  Sylvia tried not to smile. “Cats and dogs? My word, Jake!” But, when he gave her wink, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You do have a way with those crazy Englischer expressions!”

  “Nothing in that Amish Ordnung about crazy Englischer expressions, now is there?” Laughing, he reached out and gently tapped the end of her nose with his finger. Then, when she blushed, he looked around to make certain no one else was near before he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Now, what’s a man got to do for a glass of your mamm’s good old iced tea?” He picked up the basket and bounded up the porch steps. “Reckon I’ll go inside to find out!” And he was gone.

  Rachel smiled, having watched the scene between Sylvia and Jake with a fluttering in her heart. Indeed, they had a beautiful relationship, one that was most unusual for Amish couples. Rachel wondered how that would change once they both took the kneeling vow in October.

  “You seem to be liking Lancaster County a bit better these days,” Sylvia said in her quiet, soft way.

  Rachel looked up from the baby and smiled. “Once you get used to it, not much is different.” The door burst open and Linda came out, running down the stairs with Jacob in hot pursuit. “Mayhaps a bit livelier, though,” Rachel added with a laugh as the two children raced toward the barn, calling out for Daniel who was in the dairy.

  Sylvia laughed with her. “The children make it so, that’s for sure and certain.”

  “Come find the kittens with us, Rachel!” Linda called out as she ran toward the barn. She paused long enough to look back and wave her arm. “Come on!”

  Rachel laughed and smiled apologetically to Sylvia as she handed baby Gideon back to her. “Seems like I’m being beckoned.”

  In the dairy, Rachel held both children’s hands as they darted down the empty aisles and hurried into the back room where supplies were kept along with a few loose hay bales. Linda and Jacob quickly began borrowing in the hay, looking for the place where one of the mother cats might have nestled her newly born kittens.

  Rachel leaned against the doorframe, watching the two children who laughed out loud as they pushed hay around, getting pieces stuck in their hair and clothing. The smell in the room rose to her nostrils, the sweet scent of alfalfa hay. She shut her eyes for a minute and just breathed deeply. Fresh hay and children’s laughter, she thought. The perfect moment on a farm.

  She felt his hands on her eyes and jumped before she realized that it was Daniel. He stood behind her, covering her eyes as if she couldn’t guess who it was. But she knew immediately that it was Daniel. He pressed his chest gently against her back, hold
ing her just a little too intimately to be mistaken as just friends. And, when he leaned his mouth down to whisper in her ear, she felt a shiver of delight race through her blood.

  “Guess who?”

  Her heart pounded inside of her chest and she feared that he would hear it. The pressure of him against her back added to the feeling and she feared that she was blushing. “I would have to guess it must be Samuel!”

  “Samuel?” Immediately, Daniel released her and spun her around, laughing at her joke. “I sure hope Samuel hasn’t been putting his hands on my girl!”

  A chorus of giggles emerged from the haystack. Linda and Jacob peered over the side. They were watching the exchange between Daniel and Rachel with wide eyes and big grins. When Daniel saw them, he gently stepped away from Rachel and jumped into the haystack with them. Without any further invitation, the two delighted children jumped on their uncle, covering him with hay, hugs, and kisses.

  “I heard you, Daniel! I heard what you said to Rachel!” Linda laughed.

  He tickled her while Jacob jumped on his back. “You heard what, Linda? I think you heard nothing!”

  Jacob chimed in. “I heard it, too. You called Rachel your girl!”

  Rachel covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide her own laughter as Daniel swept both children into his arms and held them tight. “Well, then, I reckon we have to make a promise to keep that a secret. Just between the three of us!”

  “Four!” Jacob shouted, pointing toward Rachel.

  Daniel laughed. “Alright, four of us! That means no one dare tell anyone for it’s our secret.”

  “Oh I promise!” Linda said earnestly.

  “Me, too! Me, too!” Jacob chimed in, nodding his head eagerly.

  Daniel looked up at Rachel, teasing her with a stern look. “What do you think? Trustworthy of the good news?”

  She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “What do I think?” She hesitated, trying to look just as serious as Linda and Jacob stared at her with big eyes. “I’ll tell you what I think. I think that if there were any kittens in that haystack you surely must have scared them to the next county!”

  The four of them laughed, Rachel included despite trying to act proper around the children. Daniel gave her a friendly wink, a habit he must have picked up from working alongside Jake, she thought. Then, he helped the two children out of the hay and brushed them off before swinging Jacob onto his shoulders and taking Linda by the hand.

  “Best get cleaned up and go see if you can help your mamm,” he said. “Besides, Emanuel and Steve should be arriving soon with their families. Can’t be covered in hay when they arrive, ain’t so? Scare the little ones away!”

  Back at the house, the women were busy in the kitchen while the men set up the table and chairs under the large tree in the backyard. Jake was standing on the porch, leaning against the open doorway as he waited for Sylvia to bring him items to carry outside.

  “Um mmm,” he said as Sylvia handed him a platter of fried chicken. “Nothing better than your mamm’s chicken.”

  Sylvia smiled at her husband. “Jake, you leave Mamm alone,” she whispered.

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “Me? Just complimenting her fine cooking.”

  Katie walked to the door with another tray filled with potato salad, coleslaw, and steaming corn on the cob. “Jake Edwards,” she said coolly. “Your compliments are standing in the way of feeding the rest of those hungry men.”

  “Alright Mamm,” Jake said, pretending to look repentant as he held the door open for her to pass him and he followed her with the chicken. But the gleam in his eyes told a different story.

  Rachel and Daniel laughed, watching the two banter with each other. Even Sylvia had to smile at how her husband loved to tease her mother, knowing that Katie continued to pretend to not approve of his marriage to her youngest daughter but secretly, she was growing increasingly fond of her soon-to-be Amish son-in-law.

  When they sat down to eat, Daniel was seated across from Rachel. She sat next to Linda and Lillian. When they said their silent prayer over the meal, Daniel couldn’t help but peek at her. Her eyes were lowered as she prayed, her lips moving as though she were speaking the words. He smiled to himself. My girl, he thought, liking the way that sounded in his head.

  The two large tables were full of family and friends. Emanuel and Shana had joined the family as well as Steve and Emma. Their neighbors, the Smuckers, had also joined them with their children and four grandchildren. The little children sat at a smaller picnic table and giggled during the entire meal. It wasn’t often that they were seated at a table without parents and they were making sure to enjoy a meal with their own conversations.

  It was a great afternoon with sun shining and people laughing. Daniel watched as Rachel talked with the different women, seeming to connect with the Smuckers’ daughter, Leah. After the meal, Rachel and Leah sat together under a tree and talked. The Smuckers’ younger daughter, Mary Ruth, who was younger than Rachel by a good four years, joined them. The three young women were embroidering white handkerchiefs while the younger children ran around, chasing each other in the grass.

  “It’s such a wunderbaar gut day, ja?” Leah said.

  Rachel nodded. “Ja.” She looked up in time to see Daniel watching her. She lowered her eyes and blushed. “Wunderbaar,” she agreed.

  “How are you getting on with your cousins?” Mary Ruth asked shyly. “Must be different than Ohio.”

  “Different but I like it,” Rachel admitted. “I like the family very much.”

  Leah laughed. “And how do you get on with brother Samuel?”

  Rachel hesitated and frowned. There were many things that she wanted to say but knew that kind words were all that should pass her lips. “There are many things here in Lancaster County that need getting used to, I reckon.”

  “And Samuel must be on that list,” Leah giggled.

  “Leah!” Mary Ruth said, scowling at her older sister.

  Rachel envied the close relationship that the two sisters shared. She had never had such a kinship with her siblings, especially since she was the only daughter in a family swelling with boys. She had always longed for a sister, someone to share secrets with and laugh over private jokes. Instead, she had spent the majority of her time helping her mamm with the house, laundry, and cooking. It was hard to be the only girl and it didn’t leave much time for spending time with close friends.

  It was later that evening when Daniel and Rachel were able to spend some time alone again. They were walking down the lane under the setting sun, his hand lightly holding hers when they were safe from preying eyes. She liked the feeling of his hand in hers. It comforted her to be so close to him, both physically and emotionally.

  “You had a right gut day, didn’t you, Rachel?” he asked.

  “It was nice to spend time with your family and neighbors,” she said cheerfully. “I felt most comfortable.”

  “That’s gut, Rachel.” He squeezed her hand. “That makes me happy to hear.”

  She lifted her eyes to look at him and, in that moment, she felt happier than she had in months…years. When he looked at her, curious as to why she was silent, Rachel smiled and blinked back tears. His blue eyes searched hers as the wind tousled his curly brown hair. She wanted to reach out, to brush back his loose curls that were so typical of the Lapp sons. But she didn’t. Instead, she glanced away modestly, her eyes scanning across the pasture behind him.

  “Tears, Rachel?” he asked. But his voice was soft and gentle. He wiped them away with his thumb. “Why the tears?”

  She laughed and pressed her hands against her face, hiding her eyes. “They are happy tears, Daniel.”

  “Well, that’s gut,” he laughed with her. “I don’t want more tears from you. You should always be happy and laughing.”

  “With you, that’s easy,” she whispered.

  They walked back to the house in silence, once again holding hands. The sun set behind the hill, casting an orange glow across th
e pasture. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day, she thought...unaware that Daniel was thinking the very same thing at that moment.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lillian handed Rachel the white envelope, a serious look on her face. She suspected what the letter would say and knew that the young woman before her would be faced with quite the dilemma. After all, in the four months that she had been on the farm, so much had changed. It was approaching fall and, with that, the fall harvest and planting would soon be underway. Along with it, the upcoming baptism of the youth who elected to join the church in early October. Then, the rush of weddings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It would be a busy time of year for everyone, just before the quiet of the winter months.