Plain Admirer. Patricia Davids

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СКАЧАТЬ hard. The truth was the truth. Just because he was upset was no reason to change tactics now. Her chin came up. “I doubt that you do.”

      “Is that so?”

      Joann was tempted to tell him his uncle only offered the job out of pity, but she wisely held her tongue. Nothing good could come from speaking out of spite. She tried to match his stare, but her courage failed. She dropped her gaze to her clenched hands. Why had she started this conversation? It was up to God to decide which one of them was best suited for the job.

      In the growing silence, she chanced a glance at Roman’s face. His dark expression lightened. Suddenly, he burst out laughing.

      “What’s so funny?” Andrew asked.

      “She’s right. I’m not a fellow who enjoys reading or writing.”

      Joann’s hopes rose. “So you don’t intend to take the job?”

      Roman slapped the reins to get the horse moving. “We’ll see. I can learn a new thing if I set my mind to it. Do you always speak so frankly, Joann Yoder?”

      Embarrassed, she muttered, “I try not to.”

      “And why is that?” he asked.

      Did he care, or was he trying to make her feel worse? She repeated the phrase her brothers often quoted. “Silence is more attractive than chatter in a woman.”

      “Says who?” he asked.

      “A lot of people.”

      He wasn’t satisfied with her vague answer. “Who, specifically?”

      “My brothers,” she admitted.

      Andrew nodded sagely. “I have to agree.”

      “I think it depends on the woman,” Roman replied.

      She glanced at him and thought she caught a glimpse of humor shimmering in his eyes, but she couldn’t be sure. Was he laughing at her? Most likely he was. He held her gaze for a long moment before staring ahead again.

      Raindrops began splattering against the windshield and roof of the buggy. Joann was every bit as uncomfortable inside as she would’ve been out in the rain but for a very different reason. Being near Roman made her feel fidgety and on edge, as if something important were about to happen. Thunder cracked overhead and she jumped.

      “How long have you worked for our uncle?” Roman asked, looking up at the sky.

      “About five months.”

      “He said that you’ll be my teacher if I take the job.”

      “That’s what he told me, too.”

      “What kind of things would you teach me?”

      Andrew interrupted. “I don’t know why you’re considering it. Daed and I need your help in the sawmill. We can’t do it all alone.”

      “I didn’t say I was taking it, but I need to know enough to make an informed decision. What things would I have to learn?”

      “Many things, like how to set type and run the presses and how to use the binding machines. Eventually, you will have to write articles for the magazine. Many people send us stories to be printed. You’ll have to learn how to check any facts that they contain. We don’t want to hand out the wrong advice.”

      “Give me an example.”

      She thought a moment, and then said, “People send in home remedies for us to publish in our magazine all the time. Sometimes they are helpful, but sometimes they can be harmful to the wrong person, such as a child. When in doubt, we check with Dr. White or Dr. Zook at the Hope Springs Clinic.”

      He glanced her way. “Have you written any articles?”

      “A few.”

      “What were they about?”

      “I wrote a piece about our history in Hope Springs. I’ve submitted several tips for the Homemaker Hints section that were published. I’ve even done a number of poems.”

      “Interesting. What else would my job entail?”

      Andrew rolled his eyes. “I can just see you writing homemaker tips and poetry, bruder.”

      Roman paused a moment, then said, “Roses are red, violets are blue, pine is the cheapest wood, oak is straight and true.”

      Roman chuckled and smiled at his brother. Andrew grinned and said, “That’s not bad. Maybe uncle will use it.”

      The affection between the two brothers was evident. Joann wished for a moment that she could joke and laugh with her brothers that way. They were all much older than she was. She had come along as a surprise late in her parents’ lives. Hebron, the youngest of her brothers, had been fifteen when she was born. They were all married and starting their own families by the time she went to school. Her brothers pretty much ignored her while she was growing up. It was only after their parents died that they decided they knew what was best for her.

      Roman clicked his tongue to get Meg to pick up the pace. “Tell me what else I would have to learn.”

      “You would have to proofread the articles that Otis writes or that others send in to be published. You’ll have to attend special meetings in the community in order to report on them, such as the town council meetings and school board meetings. We report the news weekly as well as publish a monthly magazine.”

      “Sounds like a piece of cake.”

      “Do you think so?” If he didn’t value what they did, how could he do the job well?

      When he didn’t say more, she leaned forward to glance at him. His face held a pensive look. Was he thinking about taking the job or rejecting it? If only she could tell.

      Finally, her brother’s lane came into view. By the time they reached the turnoff, the rain had slowed to a few sprinkles. “I’ll get out here,” she said. “Thanks for the lift.”

      Roman stopped the buggy. Joann bolted out the door into the gentle rain and hurried toward the house. Once she gained the cover of the front porch, she watched as he turned the buggy around and drove away. At least she could draw a full breath now that she wasn’t shut in with him.

      What was it about being near him that set her nerves on edge? And how would she be able to work with him day in and day out if he did take the job?

      “Please, Lord, let him say no.”

      Chapter Three

      Roman sat at the kitchen table that evening with his parents after supper was done. His conversation with green-eyed Joann earlier that day hadn’t helped him come to a decision. He wasn’t sure what to do. What would be best for him? What would be best for his family?

      Although he lived in the dawdy-haus, a small home built next to his parent’s home for his grandparents before their passing, he normally took his meals with his family. He СКАЧАТЬ