A Love For Leah

Her words hurt him a little, and he felt his own ire rise. “She’s not what I’m looking for,” he blurted. “I won’t consider—”

“Oh, but you will,” Sara said rather firmly. “You will both agree to give this match a fair chance. Because if you don’t, if you won’t even open your minds to the possibility, then I’m not the matchmaker for you.” She sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “And I’ll wash my hands of both of you.”

Chapter Four (#ulink_a0496fa3-92de-5f56-b7f5-b02e142cda04)

Leah didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know if she was more disappointed in Sara or upset with her that she would suggest such a thing. Hadn’t she just told Sara the other day that Thomas was all wrong for her? A terrible match. Of course, he was a good person. This was awkward, so much so that she almost wished the floor would open and let her drop through to the cellar. Anything to get out of this chair and away from Thomas.

“Well?” Sara said. “Are we in agreement, Leah? Six weeks?”

“I... I’m just afraid it would be...a waste of everyone’s time,” Leah hedged. “Not helpful for...” Her fork fell off the plate. She grabbed for it and missed. The fork clattered to the floor leaving a trail of blueberry-pie filling across the hardwood. Her face felt warm; she knew she was blushing. She reached to pick it up but Thomas was quicker. He grabbed the wayward utensil and dropped it onto his empty saucer.

Leah seized a napkin off Sara’s desk and wiped at the mess. It smeared and she got down on her knees to get the last of the blueberry smear.

Sara cleared her throat.

Leah got up hastily, crumpling the dirty napkin and shoving it into a spacious apron pocket. She glanced toward the door, wondering if she should make a run for it.

Sara folded her arms again and looked at Thomas. “What about you? Are you willing? Would you date Leah for six weeks?”

He started to rise and then settled back into his chair. “Ya, I suppose I could. I mean...” His tanned complexion flushed. “It’s just that I wasn’t expecting...”

“You can see that it wouldn’t work,” Leah blurted, finding her voice. “He doesn’t want—”

“Nonsense,” Sara interrupted. “What Thomas wants or doesn’t want clearly hasn’t been working, has it? That’s why he came to me.” She turned and their gazes locked. “And you came to me. You asked for my help. My opinion. And I’m giving it to you. My opinion is that you and Thomas may be a good match. An excellent match.” Sara steepled her hands and leaned forward, elbows braced against the desk. “And if nothing else, six weeks will give you time to settle in to Seven Poplars again. What is it the sailors say? Get your sea legs?”

Leah was in no mood for humor, but what could she say? She had hired Sara and she had put her trust in her abilities. And it wasn’t as if she could go door-to-door knocking at farmhouses, asking if there was an eligible bachelor available. She’d wanted a matchmaker so that she wouldn’t have to make a decision, so that the weight would be taken off her shoulders. Her plan was that whoever God sent, she would accept.

“I... I just...” Leah didn’t know what to say.

“Come now, it’s not as though I’m asking you to cry the banns next Sunday,” Sara said. “And Thomas is an acceptable escort. You might have fun. And if the two of you go to frolics, singings, socials, who knows—you might meet someone you really like.” She hesitated. “Humor me, Leah.”

Leah looked at Thomas. “What do you think?”

“I see no harm in it.” Thomas shrugged. “And it could be fun.”

“Ya,” Leah replied. “You would say that.”

He chuckled. “Sorry. I do like having a good time.”

“Well?” Sara asked.

Leah looked from the older woman to Thomas and back to Sara. “At the end of six weeks, if we both feel the same way, will you find me the older widower I asked for?”

“Of course,” Sara agreed. “And if I’ve made a mistake and wasted your time, I’ll consider a substantial reduction in my fee for your new matches.”

“Could we talk?” Thomas suggested. “Just Leah and me?” He glanced at her. “If you’re agreeable, Leah?”

“Ya,” she said.

“Fine.” Sara got up from her chair. “Take all the time you want. But I’ll leave the door open, for propriety’s sake.” She paused on her way out. “You two need to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

“I wish I was certain of that,” Leah admitted, once she and Thomas were alone.

“Want to sit down?” Thomas motioned toward the chair she’d vacated. “Talk about this?”

Leah nodded, taking Sara’s seat, putting the desk between them. “I’m sorry about you being put on the spot this way. I had no idea that she was going to suggest—” she began.

“Me neither,” he said, cutting her off. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just don’t want you to think I was in on this.”

“I know you weren’t. It’s fine. This is just so—”

“Awkward,” he finished for her.

“Ya,” she agreed, and found they were both chuckling as though they shared a joke. And perhaps they did. Sara’s ruse. “I suppose we’re stuck with this,” Leah ventured.

“Ne. Not if it doesn’t suit you. If you find me that...” Thomas seemed to search for a word. “Distasteful.”

Leah shook her head. “It’s not that. I like you, Thomas. You’re a good man. Just not...”

“What you were looking for,” he supplied. “I understand.”

“I’m glad someone does.” She nibbled at her bottom lip. “I thought it would be easier than this.”

His dark eyes lit with humor. “It would have been if I’d taken a fancy to Hazel.”

“And if I liked Holsteins more.” She returned Thomas’s smile with one of her own. She felt her annoyance slipping away. He was sweet. What harm could it do to humor Sara? It would only be for six weeks, and then she would get on with the process of making a serious arrangement. “I think we should just give in gracefully,” she admitted. “I think Sara has us in a corner.”

“Actually,” he said. “You might be doing me a favor. It will give me some time to get my family off my back.” He arched a brow questioningly. “Are you in?”

Leah nodded and offered him her hand. “I think we have a deal. Six weeks and no hard feelings when we break it off.”

His stood again and strong fingers closed around hers as he reached across the desk to shake on it. “Six weeks,” he echoed quietly. “We walk out together, have some fun, and everyone is satisfied.”

“And then we get on with our lives,” she finished.

“Goot enough.” He squeezed her hand and then released it. “So, will you let me walk you home after church services tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” Her eyes widened in surprise. “Are you sure? So soon?”

“Ya, tomorrow,” he answered steadily. “Why not tomorrow? We’ve made a bargain, haven’t we? When I agree to something, I keep my word.”

“All right,” she said, smiling at him again. “Me, too.”

* * *

“A good sermon,” Leah said. “Not too long.”

Thomas nodded. “Your sister’s husband is a good preacher. When Caleb first came to Seven Poplars, we thought he might not be a good fit, but we were wrong. We like him.” He grinned at her. “Partly because he doesn’t speak to hear the sound of his own voice.”