A Son's Vow (5 page)

“
Anyway
,” Rebecca said under her breath.

“Anyway, Darla started saying that she was going to go back home. Then you discovered she couldn't swim,” Levi said to Lukas. “So you told her to hop on your back and you carried her across.”

“And then, over the next few weeks, you taught her how to swim,” Amelia said softly.

“Which I am still kind of surprised her parents let you do, seeing how it wasn't very appropriate,” Rebecca said as she started measuring out coffee grounds for a fresh pot of coffee.

“I was eleven, she was just nine. Nothing improper happened,” Lukas said. “And I had to teach her. Someone had to.” He frowned, thinking of how brave she'd been, wearing an old T-shirt and shorts that Levi had borrowed from one of his English friends. The pond nearby had been cold in the early morning hours when they'd met, but she'd hardly complained.

Done eating, Lukas stood up and carried his plate to the sink. He felt mildly uncomfortable now. He'd never felt closer to Darla than when she'd lain in his arms in the water and put her trust in him. The moment she'd let go and floated by herself had been wonderful. Now he could hardly get through a conversation with her at the post office.

“This was a fun trip down memory lane, but it doesn't help me understand why you brought it up, Becky.”

“To remind you that Darla doesn't do anything for herself. She's going to put everyone else's needs ahead of her own. She always has and probably always will.”

“Unless she's with you, Lukas,” Amelia said with a soft smile. “She's always trusted you more than just about anyone. And because of that trust and the friendship you share, she's also always put your needs ahead of her own.”

He frowned. “But that doesn't sound any different from how she is with the rest of the world.”

“There's a difference. You
always
put her needs first,” Rebecca said. “You care about her happiness.”

It all sounded convoluted, but on the other hand, it didn't sound unfamiliar. “So what you all are saying is that I need to go over and talk to Darla.”

“No you don't,” Levi blurted.

“Levi, stop,” Becky said. “The fire wasn't her
daed
's fault.”

“I'm not saying you should be rude to Darla. But I surely don't think you need to be the one to look after her. And you really don't need to go to her house and deal with her siblings.”

“They aren't that bad,” Amelia said.

“Oh, yes they are,” Levi retorted. “They're a difficult lot, and that's putting it mildly.”

“Then what should I do?” Lukas was starting to lose patience with this conversation.

“You need to ask her to meet you somewhere,” Amelia said.

“Such as?”

After a moment, Rebecca said, “Take Darla to the creek.”

“I am not taking her swimming.” He gulped. Did he sound as stunned and embarrassed as he thought?

“Go walking, not swimming,” Rebecca said. “Being there
will remind her of how much you both have in common. She'll remember that she trusts you.”

Levi nodded as he took the last of everything on Amelia's serving platters. “Becky has a
gut
plan.”

“Wait a minute. I didn't think you wanted me to have anything to do with her.”

“I didn't,” Levi said. “But I also feel kind of sorry for her.”

Amelia nodded. “I wasn't sure how I felt about her either . . . until I saw her face when Aaron and Hope were celebrating after church.”

“Wait a minute, I didn't see her then,” Rebecca said. “What did she look like?”

“I saw her standing off in a corner,” Amelia said. “Darla looked like she felt all alone.”

“Maybe she is.” Feeling guilty, Lukas added, “It's been so hard, dealing with the company and the funerals and Daed's loss. Because of that, I've kept my distance from her. Now I wish I had reached out to her more.”

“I haven't exactly been friendly, either,” Rebecca said. “But what we gotta remember is that what happened that day at the mill wasn't our fault and it sure wasn't Darla's.”

Though he noticed Levi hadn't quite jumped to Darla's defense, Lukas was relieved to note that his brother hadn't seemed as angry, either. That gave him hope.

After washing and drying his dish, he nodded. “You all convinced me. I'm going to go back to that post office and ask her to walk to the creek with me.”

“I think that is a fine idea, Lukas,” Amelia said with a smile. “I'll say a prayer today that it goes all right.”

“Danke.”
Then, just to lighten the mood, he added, “Before
I forget, Levi and I were approached by Ben Miller yesterday at the mill.”

“About what?” Amelia asked.

“About you, of course.” Looking put out, Levi said, “He wanted permission to come courting.”

As Lukas expected, Amelia's cheeks turned bright red. “Ben? Isn't he old?”

“He's almost thirty,” Rebecca said. “And a widower. With two
kinner
.”

Amelia bit her lip. “What did you tell him?”

Lukas grinned at Levi. “Absolutely not.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You told Ben no without even talking to me?”

“He ain't the man for you, Amelia,” Levi said gently.

“He's too old and he wasn't looking for
you
; he was looking for a babysitter. There's no way I'm going to let him even think that's all right with me,” Lukas added. When he noticed that Amelia was still working her bottom lip in that way she did when she was stewing on something, he forced himself to sit down by her side and talk about things. “You don't mind that we told Ben that, do ya? I mean, I didn't think you had any feelings for him.”

“She doesn't,” Levi said, then paused and eyed Amelia more closely. “I mean, you don't, do you, Amy? I sure don't recall you ever mentioning his name.”

“I don't. Ben is a nice man, but he's not for me.” Looking embarrassed, she darted a concerned look at Rebecca. “Did he ask about Becky, too?”

Lukas was confused. “
Nee
. Why do you ask?”

“Because she's worried about me getting my feelings hurt,” Rebecca interjected with a smile.

Amelia blushed bright red. “I didn't mean—”

Rebecca cut her off with an easy laugh. “Don't get spun up, Amy. I promise, I'm not hurt in the slightest.” She tossed her head.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Amelia, always one to wear her heart on her sleeve, looked unsure. “Becky, I just wanna say that you are real special. You are going to make a wonderful wife.”

“One day,” Lukas muttered. “One day in the future.”

“Hush, Lukas,” Rebecca ordered with a grin. “The men at the mill know that I'd never court a man who couldn't approach me himself anyway. They also have a pretty good idea that I'd never be interested in a man who works at the mill.”

“Oh?” Amelia nibbled that bottom lip again. “Do you think I shouldn't ever date a man who works at the mill?”

“
Nee
. Our situations are much different. I work there. I'm around those men all day. You are not.”

Lukas winced. He'd known Rebecca had jumped into her work at the mill because Daed had asked her to and now because he and Levi needed her help. However, her heart was with
kinner
. If she had her way, she'd be Charm Amish School's newest teacher instead of Kinsinger Mill's main receptionist. “You won't have to work there forever, Becky.”

“I'm happy to help in any way I can, Lukas. You know that.” Turning back to Amelia, her tone softened. “Amelia, I know you get tired of it, but we're all used to looking out for you.”

“
Jah
, but it ain't necessary. I am not a baby. I can look after myself, too.”

“You are right. Furthermore, I reckon the day will come when you don't need us running interference between you and half the population,” Levi said as he walked to the sink and washed his dish. “But that day ain't today. Let us fend off the men for ya.”

“Men aren't as interested in me as you make it sound.”

“Oh, yes they are.” Rebecca smirked.

“Ignore our teasing and let us help you for a little while longer,” Lukas said. “It makes us feel useful.”

“Don't say no to all the men, Lukas.”

Because she looked a bit dismayed, Lukas reached out and gently squeezed her shoulders. “Don't worry, Amelia. One day the right man will come along. It, uh, just ain't Ben Miller.”

March 25

I
f she didn't increase her pace, Hannah knew she was going to be late to her job. And if that happened, it would be a disaster. Mornings with Mr. and Mrs. Ross tended to be a bit chaotic. They ran around handing her Post-it notes and index cards filled with detailed instructions for Christopher. And if she wasn't there right on time, they started thinking something had happened to her.

They were rather high-strung.

Just as she was about to turn onto their street, she spied a dog running toward her. Realizing that it was all alone and not on a leash made panic rise in her chest. She was afraid of dogs. Large, small, noisy, quiet . . . it didn't matter. Her fear encompassed all of them.

But this one was large and black and had a silver chain collar. It looked stronger than she was. It could no doubt knock her
over without a moment's hesitation. More than likely, it would do much worse than that.

Though her brain was telling her body to move, to seek safety, it didn't seem like her legs were of a mind to listen. She couldn't do anything but stare as it loped closer and closer. When it was about two yards away, it slowed. Its black eyes stared at her curiously, its black nose sniffing the air. It whined.

Glad that it wasn't baring its teeth, Hannah noticed twin red tags hanging from its collar. She took a deep breath. Perhaps, it wasn't prepared to eat her. Perhaps, it was lost.

“Easy,
hund
,” she whispered as she took two steps backward.

Watching her, it tilted its head. Then, without warning, it started barking.

And just like that, Hannah froze in place again. What was she going to do?

“Rose! Rose, come here!”

Though Hannah hated to look away from the dog, her instincts caught hold of her and she looked around anxiously. Was there a little girl in the fierce dog's path? She didn't see anyone other than a man about her age trotting down the street, a bright red mesh leash in his hand.

“Rose! Come!”

The dog barked again.
This
was Rose? Then, to Hannah's amazement, it turned around and loped to the man.

“You stinker. You know you can't go off making friends by yourself.” He ran a hand along the dog's head, then snapped the leash onto its collar.

As if he'd just realized she was standing there, the man turned to her with a wide smile. “Sorry about that.”

She nodded.

His friendly gaze turned concerned. “Hey, are you okay? I hope Rose didn't scare you.”

Hannah's mouth was so dry, she wasn't sure she could form coherent words. But since she couldn't simply stand there, she gathered her wits the best she could.
“Jah.”
Hopefully he wouldn't notice that she sounded hoarse.

He stilled, looking uncertain, then approached her with Rose now walking complacently by his side. He was wearing a knit cap and had eyes as dark as his dog's.

“You're not okay, are you?”

“I . . . I'm all right,” she sputtered. Finding her voice at last, she added, “Your dog just caught me by surprise. That's all.”

He stopped a few feet away from her. Farther even than Rose had been. “I'm sorry about that.” Looking down at his dog fondly, he said, “She loves her morning walk. I was on the phone when I opened the door; she was off and running before I could grab her.”

“Maybe . . . maybe you should put her leash on before you open the door.” When his eyes widened, she grimaced. “I apologize. I shouldn't have said that.”

He waved off her apology. “No, she scared you. You have every right to say that. Look, I don't know if you'll ever be around here again, but in case you happen to see her, I just wanted you to know that she's a nice dog. Rose doesn't bite or attack people.” He reached down and scratched his dog between her ears. “The most she'll ever do is try to lean up against you.”

“Lean?”

“Yeah. Like she's doing now,” he said with a grin. “She really likes to get her ears rubbed.”

Hannah realized then that Rose was listing to one side, her
head resting on her owner's thigh. She was panting softly, her big tongue hanging half out of her mouth.

“She's a mighty big
hund
.”

“She is. She's a Rottweiler. But like I said, she's sweet and she's very well trained, except for when it's time for her morning walk. Sometimes she gets so excited, she darts off before I can get her leash attached.” Still looking at his dog fondly, he said, “She doesn't understand that I have other things I need to do besides chase after her.”

As his words took hold, she gasped. “Oh! I've gotta go. I'm gonna be late for work.”

He looked around in confusion. “Where do you work?”

“At the Rosses'
haus
.”

“No kidding? Talk about a small world. York and Melissa Ross are my neighbors.” He smiled softly. “I'm guessing you are Hannah, their Amish babysitter.”

She didn't know how to answer that. Should she tell him that his guess was right?

At her hesitation, he smiled. “I'm Rob Prince. I just moved in two weeks ago. And yeah, I know. I don't look like much of a prince. Harry is a lot more handsome.”

She didn't quite catch his joke. Because she was embarrassed by that, she backed up a step. “I better go, Mr. Prince.” Goodness, but that was a strange name! “Mr. and Mrs. Ross don't like me to be late and I'm late now.”

“Let me walk you over there, then, and explain to them that this is all my fault.”

She wasn't so sure if that was a
gut
idea. She didn't know him and she was afraid of his giant dog—but she was just as worried
about coming in fifteen minutes late and facing Mr. and Mrs. Ross. “That ain't necessary.”

“Yeah, it is. I lost hold of Rose and she scared you.” Reaching out, he said, “May I help you with your bag?”

“
Nee.
I mean, no, my backpack is fine,” she said as they walked up the street.

When they got closer, she saw Mr. Ross standing on the front porch, a cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. The moment he saw her, his whole body eased.

“Oh, no. Mr. Ross don't look happy,” Hannah said. She increased her stride.

“It'll be all right,” Mr. Prince murmured. “Like I said, I'll be sure to tell York that this is all my fault.”

“At this point it doesn't matter who is responsible. I should have left earlier.”

“I don't mind taking responsibility for my wayward dog,” he said before calling out, “Hey, York. Look who I found on the corner.”

Looking incredibly relieved, Mr. Ross came down the drive. He was dressed in pleated khaki-colored slacks, a golf shirt, and a pair of tan loafers. “We were getting worried, Hannah. You're never this late.”

“I'm mighty sorry, Mr. Ross. I promise, it won't happen again.”

“I'm not mad; I was worried about you.” Looking a bit chagrined, he added, “I was actually holding my phone, ready to call you before I realized that, of course, there was no way to do that.”

“I'm so sorry you were so worried. I'll go right in.”

“Wait a sec, Hannah,” Mr. Prince called out. “York, Hannah
arriving late is my doing. Rose ran out of the house before I could get her leash on and she stopped right in front of poor Hannah. She thought Rose was going to attack. Scared her half to death.”

“That makes sense. Your dog is the size of a small pony.” To Hannah's surprise, Mr. Ross reached out and rubbed the dog right between her eyes. “Silly girl.”

As Rose closed her eyes in obvious enjoyment and leaned toward Mr. York, Mr. Prince added, “I told her that I thought she might be your famous babysitter.”

Hannah stared at him in confusion. “Famous?”

“I'm afraid we brag about you quite a bit,” Mr. Ross said. “Melissa and I think you're a wonder.”

“Danke.”

“You're welcome. So, did Rob tell you that he lives next door?”

She nodded.

“I work from home,” Mr. Prince explained, “so if you ever need anything, you only have to knock on the door or call.”

“Oh.” She couldn't imagine doing either but she smiled.

“I'll tell Melissa to leave out his number, Hannah,” Mr. Ross said. “If there's an emergency, he's just a few feet away.”

Now that she wasn't scared of Rose or a nervous wreck about getting in trouble with Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Hannah noticed that Mr. Prince was much closer to her age than she'd first thought. She wasn't sure why she was glad about that, other than the fact that he seemed nice.

Flustered by the direction of her thoughts, she stepped away. “I better go inside. Good-bye, Mr. Prince.”

“It's Rob, okay?”

“Okay. Rob.” Rose barked as Hannah darted inside, the sound followed by laughter.

“Rose says bye!”

Rob's comment was so silly, she found herself giggling as she faced Mrs. Ross and Christopher.

“Hannah, you're here! Hooray!” Mrs. Ross said.

“I'm sorry I'm late.” She was just about to repeat her excuses when Christopher giggled in his mother's arms, then wiggled.

To her amazement, Mrs. Ross set him down and then he rolled over. And rolled again!

“Christopher, look at you!” Hannah exclaimed as she got on her knees and held out her hands to him. When he rolled again and treated her to a gummy grin, she laughed. “When did you learn to do this? What a smart boy!”

“Isn't he adorable? He figured out how to roll over on Saturday morning. Now, he doesn't want to be held, he wants to roll on the floor! Oh, Hannah, I hope you ate a good breakfast. You're going to get your exercise today.”

Picking up the baby, Hannah set him in her lap and gave him a little hug. “
Jah
, I am, for sure. He is doing a
gut
job.”

Mrs. Ross smiled and grabbed her purse just as Mr. Ross came in through the front door. When he noticed Hannah sitting on the carpet with Christopher, he laughed. “We should have told you to get some kneepads. He's a regular wiggle worm.”

“I'll do my best to keep up.”

“I know you will. And Hannah?”

She looked up at him. “Yes?”

“Rob really is a nice guy. You don't have to worry about him or Rose.”

“You met Rose?” Mrs. Ross asked.

“I'll tell you all about it on the way to work. Bye, Hannah.”

After going over her list of items for Hannah to do, Mrs. Ross said good-bye, too, leaving Christopher and Hannah sitting on the floor.

After the garage door closed, Hannah swore she heard a faint bark.

For the first time in memory, the sound didn't make her flinch. Instead she wondered if it was Rose.

And then, as she watched Christopher reach out a hand for one of his toys, Hannah wondered about Rob, what he was like.

And she realized, with a bit of surprise, that she wasn't filled with sadness and regret for the loss of Paul.

Instead, she merely felt at peace.