A Love Undone (27 page)

Andy’s head pounded as he watched Glen dismount from the rig. Why was he here? Had Van told Glen after assuring Andy he wouldn’t tell anyone?

“Goodness.” Jolene clutched the ends of the armrests of her lawn chair, her cheeks pink and her face stricken. “I forgot he was coming over tonight. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to think I could get one thing right this weekend?”

“Why again?” Ray asked. “He arrived before dinner last night and stayed until his sons’ bedtime.”

“Glen!” Hope skittered across the lawn toward him, clearly as excited to see him as Jolene was uncomfortable. Hope obviously liked him, and Andy supposed the gentle preacher filled some of her needs for a Daed.

“Who is he?” Sadie asked.

“Our preacher and a good friend of the family.” Jolene closed her eyes and took a deep breath before standing. “But I think he’s here to have a serious discussion about boundaries.”

If Van had kept his word, Glen shouldn’t be here for that reason. But Andy realized he and Jolene couldn’t live with the fear of wondering whether Van would keep his word or not. They had to take control of the situation.

“Jo.” Andy stood and motioned for her to go with him. They
walked toward Glen, but Hope had him hemmed up inspecting her Mason jar of fireflies. Glen looked their way.

Jolene waved. “He looks frustrated, doesn’t he?”

“Maybe he feels like you stood him up.”

“Glen?” Disapproval filled her eyes. Apparently the concept wasn’t totally foreign to her, but she didn’t like it. Hope and Tobias were both at Glen’s feet now, talking to him. He helped them loosen the lids on their Mason jars, and the children removed them simultaneously, releasing their lightning bugs.

“All right, guys.” Andy clapped, then turned to Jolene. “Van said he wasn’t going to tell anyone.”

“Really?” Her eyes reflected pleasure and maybe a bit more respect for Van. “You think he meant it?”

“I do, but …” The fullness of Jolene’s future hit Andy. She had love to give, and she deserved a man free to receive it. She wanted a family. Glen was a good man who needed a wife.

Andy hated where his thoughts were leading, and yet he knew the bond between Jolene and him needed to be broken—or at least weakened by the addition of Glen into their workdays and off time. They had a full three months ahead of them, and considering they’d grown to like each other this much in three weeks, what would months do?

His head spun. The air vibrated with the sounds of tree frogs. The old chains of the porch swing squeaked, and Hope’s words to Glen were indistinguishable murmurs. For a split second he felt as if he’d stepped into a new dimension—one where God wooed him to keep his vow and help Jolene find her future.

A plan took shape in his mind, and he knew how Glen could help free Jolene of the debt she owed her brothers and uncles because of Old Man Yoder. “Let’s be honest with him, Jo. About everything, including what Old Man Yoder did.”

“But Van and Ray gave their word. I especially can’t tell a minister.”

“First, you didn’t give your word, and, second, if you can’t tell a church leader, can you tell a close family friend?”

She seemed reluctant.

“We need Glen for my plan to get the money back from Yoder to work. He has no right to Ray’s money and certainly no right to enslave you in paying that kind of debt.”

She nodded. “I’d like to get that money back.”

“Another thing. If you tell Glen what happened between us yesterday and if months from now news of it does get out, you would’ve already done the right thing by confessing it to a minister. He won’t tell the other ministers.”

“How do you know?”

“Trust me.” He knew that when a good man had hopes of marrying a good woman, he would protect her reputation, especially if she confided in him. His heart revolted at his plan, and he wiped sweat from his brow. “Go for a walk with him and tell him everything.”

“What if he refuses to let us work together?”

“Explain the situation, and invite him to join us as often as he can.”

She didn’t seem in favor of that idea. Was she still holding on to romantic notions about him?

He had to be blunt with her and assure himself of the truth. They both had to realize the finality of his situation. It broke his heart. If it broke hers, it would be the beginning of accepting their reality. Her heart would mend, and then she would be free to fall in love with someone. If she never cared for Glen in that way, surely God would bring the right man across her path. But he wasn’t sure Jolene would recognize him until she was free of their alleged
friendship
. Friends didn’t have to fight against their attraction to each other. They didn’t want to date.

“When I leave here after the horses are adopted, I won’t return. We won’t exchange letters or phone calls.”

“Why?” Her screech caused Glen to look their way. He put the lids on the children’s jars, and Andy knew he was wrapping up with them and would send them on their way shortly.

“Because I’m married, Jo. She could return tomorrow or never, but her behavior toward me and Tobias doesn’t change the vows I took.”

“Maybe God has more grace than what the letter of the law states. If so, would it be so wrong to stay in contact?”

“Even if He does, the Amish don’t. That’s the reality, and we have our families’ feelings and reputations to protect. I’ve got to think of Tobias above all else.” He was also thinking of Jolene, but she would accept his stance more easily if he placed the sole responsibility on Tobias.

Jolene bit back tears, but she nodded.

“
You’ll
be okay.” The emphasis was meant to assure her of the strength she had, but he realized there was a double meaning.
She
would be okay. When he left here, he would enter a never-ending
winter, the harshness of which he’d only read about. “I’m sorry.” But he’d been right that she was harboring feelings of hope about their relationship. Clearly, he was too.

“I get it.” She nodded. “I do.”

“Hey.” Glen closed the gap between them. He glanced at Andy before focusing on Jolene. “Did you forget I was coming by tonight?”

“I did. But I’m glad you found me, because I need to tell you some things. And then the three of us need to talk.”

Andy eased away, neither of them seeming to notice. He watched as they walked toward the road, talking.

Would Glen understand and help with Andy’s plan to get the Keims’ money back, or would he be offended by what Jolene was about to tell him? Would he do everything in his power to pull Jolene off this farm and out of Andy’s life immediately?

Ray hummed, and the dim glow of a kerosene lamp lit the way as he climbed the stairs to the haymow. The dogs watched him from below as he tossed a bale onto the ground. His feet longed to dance. Yesterday had been his last day at the cabinetry shop. Uncle Calvin had questioned his leaving, and Ray had said he’d appreciated the job and hoped he’d done it justice for his uncle’s sake, but the truth was, he had a new job for the summer and prospects for the fall. It seemed rude to tell him he didn’t like the work.

His uncle had smiled, nodding and looking pleased for Ray. He then said that Ray only needed to give a one-week notice … if that’s what he wanted.

The week was over, and today Ray was a free man. His brain was clear of the fog, and no matter what had gone wrong last week, his thoughts never reverted to choppy, immature sentences, and now he wanted to swing from the rafters of this old barn. Instead, he scurried down the ladder and finished his chores.

He’d used their new phone and called Teena last week. If all went well today, he might get to see her for a few minutes tonight. While he finished filling the water trough, the dogs began barking. Ray made several fast kissing noises, and the dogs returned to him, scrunching close to the ground as if they feared him. Would they ever get past that behavior? He turned off the water and hung the hose before he patted them. “Good job, guys. But I can’t let you wake Hope.”

Jolene was up baking before she had to leave for Lester’s farm. Starting Monday, he’d go with her. He blew out the lantern and walked out of the barn. An oversize pickup truck was in the driveway. The sky had turned a dark purple with streaks of orange as daylight crept onto this side of the earth. The cool summertime air carried the aroma of honeysuckle and Jolene’s baked goods. The sugary smell reminded him of a lifetime of waking up to baked goods. A mourning dove cooed, and the dogs wagged their tails as they walked beside him. Would all mornings from now on feel this beautiful?

The driver cut off the truck engine, but Ray didn’t recognize the man. Made sense, he guessed. James didn’t want anyone around here knowing they were going to sell flowers on an empty lot a couple of towns over, so he’d probably found a driver from outside these neighboring districts.

James got out of the vehicle but stayed at the door of the truck. “Gut. It looks like you’re ready.”

“I just need to put the dogs inside. Don’t want them getting hit.”

When Ray opened the back door, the aroma of pastries washed over him. As he shooed the dogs inside, Jolene came toward him with three brown lunch bags in hand.

“Perfect timing.” She stepped onto the porch.

Ray closed the door and followed his sister down the steps.

James shrank back a few steps. Was he afraid of her? She held up the bags. “Pastries and coffee in to-go cups. One bag for each of you.” She walked to the truck. What was his sister up to? She could’ve just handed the bags to him.

“Wow. That’s really nice of you.” James took the bags.

“You’re welcome.”

He reached into the truck, aiming to pass one bag to the driver. He almost dropped it, and when he did hand it to the man, he banged his head before standing up straight. “S … s … sorry.”

What was he apologizing for—hitting his head?

The driver ducked to see Jolene while opening and sniffing the bag. “Thank you!”

She grinned. “You’re quite welcome. I hope you like it.” She focused on James. “I make you nervous, and that makes me nervous.” Jolene searched his face. “Care to help me understand?”

James set the other two bags on the truck seat. “Well …” He removed his straw hat and held it with both hands, fidgeting with it. “I just figure you don’t much care for me … you know, since I’m Van’s brother, and he … well, you know.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “And maybe because I know of your hangout
in the woods? And taking Yoder’s dogs with Ray wasn’t the wisest thing you’ve done lately.”

Why did his sister feel a need to say all that to James?

“That too.” James inched his hands along the brim of his hat, slowly turning it round and round. “But those dogs weren’t being treated right.”

Ray figured this was why he and James got along. They thought alike, which Ray found comforting … and scary since his thinking tended to be skewed at times.

“Remember the first time Van brought me to Ohio to meet the whole family?” Jolene asked.

“How could I forget? I was about ten, and I lived for fishing. You and Van took me, and you helped me reel in the biggest fish ever caught in that creek.”

She shuddered. “Ew.”

He laughed. “Ya, that’s what you were like then too, but you waded out into the creek with a net and got wet up to your waist making sure that fish didn’t get away. It’s mounted on my wall.”

“That was a fun time, including the picnic that was overrun with grasshoppers.”

James held up two fingers. “There were only a couple, and after one hopped onto your dress, you danced around squealing for nearly a minute.” He laughed. “I told Van you were a little too girly about lots of things for my taste.” His eyes got large. “Sorry, I didn’t mean …”

She chuckled. “I’m still a lot like that, but since God made me a girl, I intend to use the rights of that license as needed.”

“That’s funny.” James relaxed a little.

She lowered her eyes for a moment. “Ray said that whatever you’re doing today is private, and he’s not supposed to tell me. I suppose you’re both old enough to have that right, but when I find out—and I always find out—will I mind?”

“Some will laugh at us, but I doubt you would mind what we’re doing.” James shrugged. “We’re going a few towns away to set up a stand and sell flowers. I’ve been told we can make good money at it, but I don’t want any of the other guys to know. That’s all.”

“Oh.” She gave James a familiar lopsided, you’re-okay-kid smile. Ray knew that smile well. “I won’t tell anyone, and I hope you sell every flower you’ve paid for. It may be a little unusual for a young man to sell flowers, but you should be pleased with yourself for being willing to venture into something that takes guts.”

James’s eyes bugged out.

Ray elbowed her. “You’re pretty cool.”

“Almost,” she mumbled and pointed at the truck. “Get. What time will you be home tonight?”

Ray paused. “Depends. But I’d rather not say on what.”

Jolene drew a deep breath and folded her arms. “You and James sticking together?”

“Ya.”

“Then that’s fine. Home by eleven.”

Ray’s day just kept getting better, and it was early morning! “Will do.”