Holly And Mistletoe. Susan Mallery

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СКАЧАТЬ her brother walked to the barn, Annie headed toward the farmhouse. She froze in her tracks. Millie, she thought with alarm. Where was Millie? In all the commotion, she’d forgotten to put her dog back into the house before leaving for the hospital.

      “Josiah!” she called. “Please watch for Millie. She got out of the house earlier.”

      Josiah scowled but agreed. “She’ll come back eventually.”

      Annie opened the screen door and the inside door swung open. It didn’t surprise her that she hadn’t locked it after she’d grabbed her purse. Her one thought had been to get to her father.

      She entered the house and wandered into the gathering room. Annie stiffened at what she saw. All of the laundry was stacked, neatly folded, inside the laundry basket. She experienced a chill. Someone had been here. But a burglar wouldn’t fold laundry, she thought.

      She heard a short bark and was startled when Millie scurried into the room, wagging her tail happily. Annie bent down to rub her beloved pet’s fur. “How did you get in here?”

      “Annie,” a deep voice said.

      She gasped and spun toward the man who’d entered from the direction of the kitchen. “Jacob?” She rose to her feet, stared at him. “What are you doing here?”

      “Sorry.” His golden eyes studied her with concern. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I stopped by to look for Millie and found her. I suddenly remembered her running about before we left.”

      “You shouldn’t have come.” She peered up at him with caution. “You folded the laundry.” Why would he fold laundry? The men in her Amish community didn’t fold laundry! It was an unheard of thing for any man to help with women’s work. “Why?”

      He shrugged. “You didn’t get the chance, so I thought I’d finish it for you.” He flashed a brief glance at the clothes before refocusing on her.

      Her spine tingled. “I could have done it.”

      His lips curved with amusement. “I don’t doubt it.”

      Millie licked her leg, demanding her attention. “You found Millie.”

      “I found her chasing a cat through the fields.” He traced the edge of his suspenders with his fingers. “The door was open, so I brought her in.”

      Watching, Annie wondered why her heart suddenly began to beat faster. “I forgot to lock the door.”

      “Not to worry. No one disturbed the house.” Jacob was suddenly there beside her.

      Overwhelmed by his nearness, she stepped back. “No one but you,” she accused.

      She heard him sigh. “You look like you’re about to collapse,” he said quietly. “Come. You’ve had a terrible day. Sit and I’ll make you some hot tea.”

      She sat down. “I can make my own tea.”

      “Ja, I’m sure you can.” He narrowed his eyes at her from above. “But I’d like to make you a cup. Is that a problem?”

      Feeling foolish, Annie shook her head. Reaction to Dat’s accident took over and suddenly cold she started to shake. She looked at him, but she couldn’t seem to focus. She felt warmth override the chill and realized that Jacob had grabbed the quilt from her father’s favorite chair and gently placed it around her shoulders. With mixed feelings, she watched him leave the room. He wasn’t gone long.

      “Here you go.” Jacob held her hot tea. The sofa cushion dipped beneath her as he sat beside her. He extended the cup, and when she didn’t immediately respond, gently placed it within her hands, his strong fingers cradling hers until she became overly conscious of his touch.

      She realized what he was doing, and she jerked back. “I’ve got it,” she said, relieved that he’d let go and that she hadn’t spilled any. He stood, and Annie felt the heat from the mug. She raised the rim to her lips.

      “Careful!” he warned. “It’s hot.” He seemed upset as his golden eyes regarded her apologetically. “I shouldn’t have let it boil.”

      “It’s fine, Jacob,” she said irritably. “If the water isn’t hot, it’s not a gut cup of tea.” Annie took a tentative drink. The steaming brew was sweet. She felt revived after several slow, tiny sips. She looked up at him. “Danki,” she said when she felt more like herself again.

      Jacob gave her a slow smile that did odd things to her insides. She fought back those feelings. He studied her a long moment until he was apparently satisfied with what he saw. “Did you see your vadder?” His voice was soft as he moved the laundry basket from the sofa to the floor and sat down.

      Taken aback by her reaction to him, Annie fought to stay calm. “Ja, we saw him. Once he was in his hospital room. When he finally woke up, he told us he was tired and wanted us to go home.” She drew a deep breath. “Jacob, I’m fine, You don’t have to stay—”

      He nodded. “Where’s Josiah?”

      “In the barn.”

      “I took care of the animals earlier,” he said.

      The front door slammed. “Annie,” Josiah called out, “the animals have been fed and watered—”

      Annie met his gaze as her brother entered the room and stopped abruptly. “Jacob took care of them.”

      Jacob rose to his feet. He and Josiah stared at one another a long moment, and Annie remembered suddenly that Nancy King, the girl Jacob had fancied and lost, was currently her brother’s sweetheart.

      “I appreciate what you did for Dat.” Josiah extended his hand.

      She watched the interaction between the two men and then saw Jacob smile. They shook hands and stepped back.

      “I should go,” Jacob said. Annie watched him grab his hat off a wall hook. “You both need your rest.” He hesitated. “I made sandwiches. I put them in the refrigerator.”

      Annie blinked, shocked. “You made yourself at home.”

      He raised an eyebrow at her tone. “Nay. I simply fixed a meal for friends in need.” He jammed his hat on his head. He gave a nod to her brother. “Josiah.”

      “Jacob.” Josiah inclined his head.

      As Jacob headed outside, Annie felt as if she’d been too mean-spirited toward him, and it didn’t set well with her. It wasn’t the way of her community or the Lord—and it wasn’t like her to behave this way, either.

      Annie followed him, stopping to stand in the open doorway as he descended the porch steps. “Gut day to you, Jacob Lapp,” she called out to him.

      He paused and turned. “Rest well, Annie Zook,” he replied and then he walked away, without glancing back.

      Annie felt awful as she watched him leave. Contrary to her behavior, she had appreciated having Jacob nearby. His quiet strength and presence had soothed her during the СКАЧАТЬ