A Life of Joy (5 page)

Jessica parked her SUV next to the single-story white building. She then followed the stone path to the steps leading up to the store and wrenched open the front door. A bell rang, announcing her presence.

Large windows lined the front of the shop, and the walls were covered in crisp, fresh white paint. Memories of the previous summers she’d spent working in the store filled her mind as she glanced around the open area, taking in the sample pieces, including mirrored dressers, hope chests, entertainment centers, dining room sets, bed frames, end tables, and coffee tables. The familiar aroma of wood and stain permeated her nostrils.

A long counter covered with piles of papers and catalogs sat at the far end of the room, blocking a doorway beyond which hammers, saws, and nail guns blasted while voices boomed in Pennsylvania Dutch.

She crossed the room with her flip-flops slapping on the concrete floor, and a smile spread on her lips when she spotted Jake sitting at the desk and talking on the phone.

While she watched him, her hand flew to her neck and the
cross necklace Jake had given her as a gift two years ago. She cherished their close friendship. She knew that he dreamt of being more than friends, but she wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment. Being more than friends would be nothing short of complicated since he was Mennonite, and she wasn’t. Their hopes and dreams were worlds apart: she wanted a career, and he was happy working in an Amish furniture store.

Yet, as different as they were, the attraction was still alive, just like the first time she’d met him. She’d met a lot of young men at college, but no one held a candle to Jake Miller.

He glanced up, and his Caribbean blue eyes rounded as they met hers. “Jessica?” His mouth gaped as he stood. “What in the world are you doing here?”

“Surprise,” she said, opening her arms. “I’m here.”

He started to hang up the phone and then stopped and put it to his ear. “I need to hang up, Bob. I’ll call you back.” He dropped the phone into the cradle and then rushed around the desk and swept Jessica into his arms. “How are you?”

She laughed and hugged him, taking in his musky scent of wood mixed with stain. “Fine. How are you?”

“Stunned, but happy.” He grinned and leaned on the counter behind him. “I thought you weren’t coming for a few more weeks.”

“Well, plans have changed,” she said, twisting a lock of her long dark hair around her finger. A saw blared in the workshop behind them. “Is there any way we can go for a walk or something?” she asked, raising her voice over the noise.

“Sure. Let me just go tell my grandfather that we’re leaving.” He started for the door leading to the shop and then faced her again. “Did you want to come with me and say hello to everyone?”

She shook her head. “Not just yet. I’d rather talk to you alone first.”

He raised an eyebrow with suspicion and then shrugged.

“Suit yourself.” He disappeared through the doorway and then reappeared a few moments later. After grabbing a baseball cap from the counter and shoving it on his head, he came around the corner, took her hand in his, and led her toward the front door.

Jessica’s stomach fluttered as they started down the sidewalk toward the row of stores lining Route 340.

“Are you thirsty?” he asked, gesturing toward a little deli.

She shrugged. “Sure.”

He steered her toward a little table outside of the building. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

While sitting at the small table, Jessica studied the traffic roaring by on the highway and silently rehearsed how she was going to share her news with Jake. She wanted him to be happy for her, but her gut told her that he would be disappointed at the sudden change in her summer plans.

Jake appeared a few moments later carrying two plastic cups with lids and red straws. “Here you go.” He set the beverages on the table.

“Thanks.” Jessica bit her lower lip and gripped the cool cup.

“So, why are you back so early?” He adjusted his ball cap on his dark hair and then sipped his soda.

She smiled. “I have exciting news.”

“Really?” His grin was wide. “You’re transferring to a college here?”

Not this subject again
. She bit back a groan. Ever since she’d started school in Virginia, Jake had suggested she transfer to a school closer to him. The subject came up at least once every few months.

She sipped her drink and shook her head. “No, I’m not transferring.”

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his wide chest. “You know I’ll always keep trying to convince you that you belong here with me.”

“I know you will,” she said.

“It was worth a try anyway.” He lifted his cup to his mouth. “I’m dying with anticipation. What’s this exciting news? Spill it.”

“I’ve accepted an internship with a very well-respected accounting firm.”

His eyes were wide with excitement. “Congratulations! I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you.” She paused for a moment. “There’s one thing.”

He raised his eyebrows while sipping his drink.

“It’s in New York,” she said softly.

He stopped drinking and set his cup on the table. “What did you say?”

“The internship is in New York.” She cleared her throat and pushed her hair behind her ears.

“New York?” He said the words slowly as if trying to decode their meaning. “What do you mean by New York? It’s a big state.”

“I mean New York City.”

He blinked. “You’re going to New York City?”

She nodded.

“When?”

“Sunday.”

“For how long?”

“Until classes start again in August. But you can come and see me,” she added quickly. “Maybe you and Lindsay can visit. I’ll be staying at my friend Kim’s parents’ house in New Jersey, and they have plenty of room. She said that—”

“Whoa.” He held his hands up like a traffic cop and she stopped speaking. “So what you’re not saying is that you’re breaking your promise to me, your sister, my grandfather, Eli, and the rest of your family. You’re going to work in New York instead of working here.” He pointed toward the furniture store.

“Did you hear what I said, Jake?” Jessica snapped. “This is an internship at a big accounting firm. I’ll get college credit and
have the work experience on my résumé.” She leaned forward, tapping the table for emphasis. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.”

“Really?” he muttered, looking unimpressed.

“Don’t you get it?” She gestured widely. “I’ve been working so hard to prove that I can make it in this field. It’s finally paying off. My professors wrote letters of recommendation for this job.”

He shook his head and stood. “Unbelievable.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jess, I’ve been waiting for you for four years now.”

She frowned. “That’s not fair, Jake. I never made any promises.”

“Exactly.” He started toward the furniture store, and she ran after him.

“Jake! Wait!” she called, her voice thick. “Don’t walk away from me.”

He stopped mid-stride and faced her, a wry grin on his face. “You’re asking me to not walk away from you? What have you done to me repeatedly since the summer we met?”

She gasped, staring at him. “Is that what you think I’m doing—walking away from you?”

He threw his hands up in the air. “What else am I supposed to think? You could’ve had a scholarship to any college, and you chose to stay in Virginia.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose where a migraine brewed. “We’ve been through this a thousand times, Jake.”

“Have we?” He glowered. “I’ve been patient, Jessica. I’ve tolerated only seeing you every summer and for a few short weekend trips during the year. The only thing I’ve had to look forward to is summers, and now we’re losing that.”

“This isn’t about you, Jake,” she retorted.

“You’re absolutely right. It’s not at all about me,” he said softly, his voice trembling with anger. “It’s about you. It’s
always
been about you, Jessica.” Turning, he stalked back to the furniture store.

Her eyes filled with tears as she watched him walk away from her.

Lindsay finished setting the table and then opened the oven to check the pot roast. She glanced at the clock on the wall and found it was almost five.

“She’ll be here,” Rebecca said, while holding up another spoonful of applesauce to Emma.

“I thought she was going to leave early.” Lindsay glanced out the kitchen window toward the driveway. “I wonder if she made a stop along the way.” She fetched a pitcher from the cabinet. “I’ll make some more iced tea.” She fished the mix from the cabinet, poured the ingredients into the pitcher, and added the water. “I bet she went by the furniture store to see Jake.”

“Daniel said he invited Jake to supper tonight, but Jake turned him down,” Rebecca said.

“That’s odd,” Lindsay said, stirring the tea.

“He said that Jake seemed upset about something, but he wouldn’t talk about it.”

“Then she probably did stop to see him,” Lindsay muttered.

The back door slammed open and Junior danced into the room. “She’s here! She’s here!”

Lindsay followed Junior out the door and down the porch steps to where Daniel stood with Jessica next to her Jeep.

“Hey, Big Sister!” Lindsay wrapped her arms around Jessica’s neck. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too,” Jessica said, hugging her in return. She glanced toward the house. “Where are Emma and Aunt Rebecca?”

“
Aenti
Rebecca’s giving Emma some applesauce. Emma’s been really hungry all day and whined until
Aenti
Rebecca pulled out her favorite snack.” Lindsay glanced toward the truck. “What can I carry?”

“Uncle Daniel has my bag.” Jessica pointed toward the suitcase in his hand. “I don’t need much since I’m leaving Sunday.”

Lindsay bit back a frown at the thought of her sister’s short visit. “Let’s get you inside. I’m making a roast.”

“Great.” Jessica leaned down to Junior. “Would you show me the way to the kitchen?”

“
Ya
!” He took her hand and led her toward the porch.

Lindsay sat across from Jessica at the kitchen table. She bowed her head in silent prayer along with the rest of the family. She looked up when she heard Daniel shift in his seat, indicating that the prayer was over and the meal would begin. She took a piece of freshly baked bread from the basket and then passed the basket across to Jessica.

“So, how are you?” Lindsay asked.

“I’m okay,” Jessica said. “I think I have everything ready for the trip. Kim left this morning and was driving straight through to her parents’ place. I borrowed her GPS, so I should be fine on the road.”

“How has school been, Jessica?” Rebecca asked from her seat beside her.

“Good,” Jessica said while she chose a piece of bread and then buttered it.

While Jessica chattered away about classes and friends, Lindsay studied her. At twenty, Jessica was a striking beauty with her dark eyes and her dark brown hair falling to the middle of her back. She wore just enough makeup to accentuate her eyes and her high cheekbones.

However, her sister’s eyes seemed to lack their usual brightness, and her voice wasn’t as full of excitement as it had been on the phone. Jessica acted as if something was wrong, and Lindsay hoped she would share her worries in private later on in the evening.

During the rest of the meal, Jessica told stories about college and asked about the friends and family in the Bird-in-Hand district.

After supper, Daniel disappeared into the barn while Rebecca steered the children toward the family room. Lindsay began carrying dirty dishes to the sink.

“What can I do?” Jessica asked.

“Do you want to wash or dry?” Lindsay asked, filling the sink with soapy water.

Jessica moved to the sink. “I guess I can wash.”

Lindsay placed the dirty dishes and utensils on the counter. “What time did you leave your apartment this morning?”

“I think it was about ten.” Jessica scrubbed a pot. “I made pretty good time. Traffic wasn’t too bad, and I only stopped twice.”

“Huh,” Lindsay said as she grabbed the basket of bread.

Jessica faced her. “What does that mean?”

“Well, you got here around five, and I know it doesn’t take seven hours to drive to Bird-in-Hand from your place.”