Her Amish Christmas Gift

He sobered. “It wasn’t fair to ask you to stay.”

“I didn’t mind.”

He seemed relieved. He followed her as she headed toward the door. “Charlie? May I ask you one more favor?”

She halted and faced him. “Ja, of course.” He seemed to have difficulty choosing his words.

“What do you need, Nate?” By the look on his face, she figured out what he wanted to ask. “Shall I come to stay with Jacob tomorrow while you cut hay?”

Nate released a sharp breath. “You wouldn’t mind?”

She paused near the threshold. “Not at all.”

Warmth entered his blue eyes. “Are you sure?”

Feigning annoyance, she tapped her foot and crossed her arms. “I’m absolutely sure, Nate.”

“Danki.” His expression became serious. “But I need you to promise that you won’t tell anyone what happened,” he said. “You know that our neighbors like to natter.” His lips firmed. “Especially Alta Hershberger. If she or anyone finds out, word could get back to my eldre, and Dat will insist on cutting short their trip.” He paused. “He’s been waiting a long time to visit my grandparents. I don’t want to ruin his plans.”

“I understand,” she murmured. “If anyone asks why I’m here, I’ll tell them I’m cleaning house for you while you work in the fields.”

“Doesn’t your sister Ellie clean houses?”

“Ja, but I’ve spent enough time in your house helping your mam that it makes sense that I be the one to do it.”

His expression was unreadable. “Appreciate it.”

“I’d do the same for any neighbor,” she assured him.

He accompanied her outside. “Drive safely, Charlie,” he said sternly.

Annoyed, she nodded before she climbed into her buggy and drove away. She didn’t mind coming back the next day. Nate would be busy and she wouldn’t have to see or talk with him for long. She would be there for Jacob, the easygoing, much younger and friendlier Peachy brother.

Still, as she drove toward Whittier’s Store to buy the items on her mother’s list, she couldn’t help but think about Nate and wonder why she felt so drawn to the man. At times he treated her like a child, and she hated it. But then there were those other occasions when he studied her differently, as if he saw her as a woman, an attractive woman he found fascinating.

Charlie sighed as she stored the bought groceries onto the seat next to her. She was imagining things. Nate didn’t find her attractive or pretty or anything good.

She would get through tomorrow then concentrate on getting hired on as the new teacher for their Happiness School. Better to focus on that than on her disturbing fascination with Nathaniel Peachy.

Chapter Three (#u3d475f2b-a2e5-5383-ab72-1e17b06859f9)

Charlie stared at the cups and dishes that she’d left on the table after fixing Jacob and Nate breakfast then worked to clean up. Nate had left for the fields. She had given Jacob his pain medicine and he was in the great room, resting on the sofa.

Dishes cleaned and put away, she turned her attention to the time. Would Nate come in for lunch? He didn’t say.

Nate had seemed relieved to see her that morning, but he’d said little except in appreciation of the food she’d prepared for him and Jacob.

With breakfast done, she found herself at loose ends. Now what? What should she do now?

Charlie grinned. She’d clean the house from top to bottom. The brothers’ mam would be surprised to see a clean house when only her sons were in residence.

She’d hung up the wet tea towel she’d used to dry dishes when suddenly the back door slammed open. She gasped and spun to see a furious man. “Nate? What’s wrong?”

“Charlie Stoltzfus,” he snapped, “did you take out the mower yesterday while Jacob and I were at the doctor?”

Charlie flushed guiltily and glanced away. “I wanted to help.”

“And I told you to stay away from the equipment!” he burst out.

“I know how to mow hay!”

He approached, grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, but despite his intimidating height and expression, he didn’t hurt her and she wasn’t afraid. “You saw what happened to Jacob yesterday,” he said. His eyes were like blue ice. “What if you’d been hurt while we were gone? Who would have been here to help you?” He released her and stepped back. He turned away. Tension tightened the muscles of his back, and he clenched his fists at his sides. He spun to face her. “People die in farm accidents, Charlie!”

Guilt made her flush. She felt a painful lump in her throat. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

Nate held her gaze. He looked big and handsome—and extremely upset.

“I’m sorry I used the mower without your permission.” She drew a sharp breath then released it. “I wanted to help. ’Tis supposed to rain soon and I knew you’d be missing a day’s work with Jacob’s accident yesterday. I thought if I finished what he’d started there would be less for you to worry about.” She fought back tears. Charlie shifted uncomfortably when he just stared at her. “Say something,” she said.

“You want to be schuulteacher,” he said harshly. “You have to think before you act, Charlie. Your behavior frequently gets you into trouble. How can you teach our community children if you jump into situations without giving a thought to the consequences?”

She felt the blood leave her face. “You don’t think I’d be a gut teacher.”

He sighed and approached her. “You need to be more careful. To grow up.” He placed his hands gently on her arms then soothed them down their length to take her hands. “I think you could be a fine teacher. You have a way with children. They listen to you and will gladly follow your lead.” He released her abruptly, his expression hardening. “But you won’t be teacher unless you can lead them by gut example. You have to stop jumping rashly into situations that can potentially be dangerous.”

“I know how to mow,” she insisted, stung. “And you refer to things I did as a child.”

He shifted away and crossed the room. “Maybe you do know how to mow. It doesn’t matter,” he said sharply. “I told you to stay away from the mowers and you didn’t. Gut intentions don’t make it right.” He leaned against the wall near the door. “And you acted like a child. A spoiled, disobedient child.”

“You’re not my vadder!” she yelled.

“Thank the Lord for that.”

Blinking sleepily, Jacob appeared in the doorway, clutching the door frame as he wobbled on one foot. “What’s going on?”

Nate studied his brother. “What are you doing up? If you fall, you’ll do further damage to yourself.”

“I thought I heard arguing.” The younger man glanced from her to his brother and back.

Charlie blushed. “We were just...”

“Having a serious discussion,” Nate said. His lips firmed. “She mowed hay yesterday while we were gone.”

Jacob glanced at her with surprise. “You did?”

Charlie hesitated then inclined her head. “I know how to mow. I’ve done it for my dat.”

Nate’s brother grinned. “How much did you get done?”