Robin Lee Hatcher (11 page)

Chapter Seventeen

L
ance settled beside Karola on the buggy seat. “You take the reins, ma’am. I reckon you’re ready.”

Karola glanced toward Jakob, who stood nearby. “He’s right,” Jakob said in answer to her silent query. “You’re ready.”

It was apparent both men had more faith in Karola’s horsemanship than she did. She took the reins from Lance, lacing the leather strips through her fingers the way Jakob had shown her.

Please, God, still my shaking hands.

“You’d better get a move on,” Jakob said. “You don’t want to be keeping those ladies waiting. Miss Joki isn’t known for her patience.”

Karola nodded. She might be a newcomer to the community, but she had learned a great deal in the past few weeks. One of those things was that Dorotea Joki didn’t like her and would like her even less if she were late to today’s meeting.

Karola never should have acquiesced to Laura Gaffney’s insistence that she be part of the committee. What did Karola know about Independence Day celebrations? But Jakob had been present when Laura asked her, and he’d seemed all for it. The next thing she’d known, she’d agreed to help.

“You are sure you will not need me to watch the children?”

Jakob gave a wry chuckle. “I think I can handle them by myself for one afternoon, Karola.”

She hoped her embarrassment didn’t show in her smile. Of course he could manage the children for an afternoon. Did she think she was totally indispensable to him? He needed her, yes, but they both knew she was only to stay through harvest, a date that hastened toward her much too quickly.

Since the day of the thunderstorm, something had changed between Jakob and Karola. He’d put up some sort of invisible but impenetrable wall, as if in protection from the love she felt for him.

“Have a good time.” So saying, Jakob gave a nod and slapped the horse on the backside with his hand.

The horse moved out at a smart pace, and for a short while, Karola forgot everything but her fear she wouldn’t be able to control the animal.

Finally, Lance placed a hand over one of hers. “You’re doin’ fine, ma’am.”

“Ja?”

“Ja.”

She heard his teasing tone and, strangely enough, began to relax because of it.

“I reckon you know what the Bible says about controllin’ a horse.”

She glanced at him.

“‘Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.’” He grinned. “You don’t reckon the Good Book would tell us somethin’ that wasn’t true, do you?” He motioned toward the horse. “You control him with that bit, and you can turn his whole body because of it. You remember that.”

The last of Karola’s tension drained from her. As if seeing it go, Lance gave her one of his irresistible lopsided grins.

“You surprise me, Mr. Bishop.”

“Lance, ma’am. Remember? Mr. Bishop’s my father.”

“Lance.” She smiled and looked at the road ahead. “I am Karola, not … ma’am.”

“Fair enough. Now, why do I surprise you?”

She gave her head a slight shake, wishing she hadn’t spoken her thought aloud.

“I reckon you didn’t see me as the sort who could quote the Scriptures. Now did you?”

She felt her cheeks grow warm.

“No offense taken, ma’am.” He chuckled. “I mean, Karola. Besides, I don’t reckon there’s anybody in Shadow Creek who would think me a Bible-thumper.”

“A Bible-thumper?”

“You know. The overly pious sort who’s always talkin’ about his faith instead of just livin’ it.” He shrugged. “But I know who made the world. Look at it.” He motioned with his arm at the passing countryside. “I know there’s folks who like to think this was an accident, that there’s no rhyme or reason to the universe, but I don’t see how they can think that way. There was a plan to creatin’ all this, and there’s a plan for everybody that’s born. Readin’ the Good Book helps me understand what God’s plan is for me.”

And me, Father? What is your plan for me?

Sometimes she thought she knew. Sometimes, when she was tucking the children into bed at night or when she sat at the supper table across from Jakob, she thought she was exactly where God wanted her to be. Not just for now, but for always. But how could she know for sure? And if this wasn’t where God meant for her to be, if Jakob never loved her in return, how could she bear it?

O God, I want your will, but I also want my own way. Is it
possible to have both?

They traveled in silence, both of them lost in their private thoughts, until Lance finally spoke. “You reckon Charlotte will be at this meeting of yours?” The longing in his voice matched the longing in Karola’s heart.

She smiled sadly. “I do not know, Lance, but she may be.”

Jakob lay beneath the wagon, staring at the axle, wondering if he could repair it or if he should take it to the blacksmith in town. Nearby, Maeve and Bernard were playing tag with Aislinn in the barnyard, their laughter filling the air. Happy sounds.

Jakob turned his head.

Sunshine bathed the yard. His dogs lay in the shade of a poplar, too smart to be cavorting with the children in the heat of the day. Maeve let Aislinn catch her, and the toddler squealed with delight, then darted off in the opposite direction, Maeve and Bernard in mock pursuit.

They sounded happy because they were happy, Jakob realized— and that was because of Karola.

He looked up at the underbelly of the wagon again.

Jakob had brought Karola to America to care for his children, and that was precisely what she’d done. She cared for them, and more important, she loved them. And they loved her in return. They were going to miss her when she left.

Jakob tapped the axle lightly with his hammer.

Why hadn’t he considered that before? He’d thought he was so clever, insisting that Karola owed him, forcing her to work to repay the debt after she’d refused to marry him. Now he wondered if he’d made a huge mistake. Had he set his children up for a second loss?

He slid from beneath the wagon and rose to his feet. With both hands, he brushed the dirt from the backside of his britches.

Did you set yourself up, too?

He frowned. Certainly he would be sorry when Karola left. After all, his household hadn’t run this smoothly in ages. In less than a month, Karola had managed to put everything in order, keep the Hirsch family well-fed and dressed in clean clothes, and make the children laugh again. So naturally it would be hard on Jakob when she left his employ. Where would he find anyone like her?

Anyone like her …

Was
there anyone like her?

Eleven days had passed since Jakob kissed Karola. Eleven restless nights since he’d felt her respond to him, then reject him. Pushing him away had been a wise move on her part. Giving rein to their passions would have been a mistake—for both of them. Karola wanted love, and Jakob wasn’t willing to give it to her. Wasn’t able to give it to her.

Yet there were times he’d swear he could still taste her lips upon his. There were times …

It was a dangerous thing, the direction he’d allowed his thoughts to wander. He was determined to stop them, once and for all.

“Come on, kids. I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”

The planning committee for the Shadow Creek Independence Day Celebration Bazaar held its meeting in the basement of the First Methodist Church at the corner of West and Main, Theodora Shrum presiding.

“Ladies,” Theodora called above the visiting voices of nearly two dozen women. “If we could please call the meeting to order.” She waited an appropriate length of time. Then, into the newly arrived silence, she said, “I want to thank you all for coming this afternoon. As you know, it takes many hands to put on an event such as the one we have planned.”

Laura leaned over to Karola. “Theodora always has big plans. She never thinks small.”

“Independence Day is just over two weeks away,” Theodora continued, “and I’m delighted to report all of our preparations are on schedule.” She glanced to the woman at her right. “Miss Joki, would you report on the food, please?”

Dorotea—as thin as a beanpole and looking more so next to the full-figured Theodora—rose from her chair. She folded her hands and pressed them against the waistband of her skirt. “Thank you, Mrs. Shrum.” She cast a cool gaze over the other women in the room. “I’ve contacted all of the best cooks in our valley and have received promises of fried chicken, baked ham, all kinds of breads and preserves, and plenty of pies and cakes. We’ll also have some vegetable dishes and fresh fruits, and Dr. Cooper will be bringing his wonderful root beer.”

Laura leaned close to Karola a second time. “What did she ask you to bring?”

“Nothing.”

Laura stood quickly. “Excuse me, Dorotea.”

The woman sighed dramatically, letting one and all know that she didn’t appreciate the interruption—or the use of her given name. “Yes, Mrs. Gaffney.”

“I’m sure it’s an oversight on your part, but you haven’t asked
all
the best cooks. You failed to ask Miss Breit to bring some of her incredible pies.”

Karola received an angry glare from Dorotea Joki. She gave Laura’s skirt a tug, hoping her friend would stop talking and sit down.

Undeterred, Laura continued, “Perhaps you don’t know Miss Breit’s father owns a bakery in Germany and that she worked with him until she came to America.” She smiled at Karola. “My family and I had the pleasure of joining the Hirsches for supper last Sunday, and if Miss Breit didn’t already have a job, my father-in-law would hire her to work in the hotel restaurant in a heartbeat.”

Karola’s cheeks were flaming by this time.

“Well,” Dorotea said stiffly, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more pies on hand. Just in case.”Laura grinned as she sat down.

Karola shook her head. “Why did you do that?”

“Because she intentionally didn’t ask you. She meant to slight you.”

“I did not mind.”

“I did. You
are
the best cook in the valley, and once the word gets out, I’ll bet your boxed lunch will get the highest bid, too.”

“Boxed lunch? What—?”

She was interrupted when Theodora Shrum stood. “Our next report is from Miss White.”

Charlotte stepped to the front of the room, then turned to face the gathering of women. “As you all know, my father is once again in charge of the fireworks display, and I can assure you it will be the best ever. He went up to American Falls this week and brought back a wagonload full of boxes. Father says he has enough explosives to light up the sky over Shadow Creek for a solid hour.”

There was an appreciative murmuring as Charlotte returned to her seat.

Half an hour later, the meeting was adjourned, and the women began to leave the church basement in groups of twos and threes, excited chatter preceding them. Laura and Karola had just reached the church doors when they were joined by Charlotte White.

“How nice that you could be with us today,” Charlotte said to Karola, not sounding the least bit pleased. Without waiting for a reply, she added, “Did Mr. Hirsch bring you?”

“
Nein.
I came with Mr. Bishop. See, there he is, waiting for me now.” She smiled as she lifted a hand and waved at Lance, who was standing beside the buggy. He tugged on his hat brim and smiled in reply. “He has been so kind to me, so thoughtful. He is at Jakob’s farm almost every day.” She lowered her voice. “Not many men are as attentive as Mr. Bishop. Such a gentleman.”

Please see how right for you he is and leave Jakob alone.

Karola quickened her strides, hoping it would look like eagerness when all she really wanted was to keep Lance from turning a moony-eyed gaze on Charlotte. Reaching him, she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. When he stiffened in surprise, she cast him a look that said,
Say nothing!

“I am sorry you had to wait for me in the heat of the day, Lance. I hope I have not kept you too long.” She glanced at Charlotte and Laura. “Did I not tell you how thoughtful he is to me? A fine farm and house of his own to tend to, and still he finds the time to bring me here.”

Charlotte stared at Lance Bishop as if she’d never seen him before.

Karola squeezed Lance’s arm and prodded him toward the buggy, telegraphing her desire to depart. Wordlessly, Lance obliged, helping her up to the buggy seat before taking his own place.

“
Guten Tag,
Laura.” Karola gave her friend a little wave. “Miss White.” She nudged Lance in his ribs with her elbow. “We will see you in church on Sunday.”

Lance clucked at the horse, and they drove away. It wasn’t until they were out of town that he spoke. “What was
that
all about?”

As she recalled the look of surprised discovery on Charlotte’s face, Karola chuckled.

Lance gave her a suspicious glance. “You havin’ a heatstroke, ma’am?”

“Nein,”
she answered.
“Nein.”

“Well, you surefire act like it. What’s gotten into you anyway?”

“Miss White.”

“What’s Charlotte got to do with what you were sayin’ back there?”

She placed her fingertips on her cheeks. Maybe she
was
suffering from heatstroke. She couldn’t believe she’d lied about Lance Bishop’s interest in her. Whatever had possessed her?