Love Inspired March 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Wife for Jacob\The Forest Ranger's Rescue\Alaskan Homecoming (11 page)

Jacob sat and extended his arm. The last thing he needed was for Annie to play nursemaid. He felt a tingling awareness when she took hold of his hand. “It looks worse than it is,” he assured her.

“
Nay
, Jacob. You've got a second-degree burn. It is as bad as it looks.” Annie studied him with concern. She suddenly took charge in a no-nonsense manner. “I've brought cold water and burn cream.” She set a bowl on the table beside him. “Put your hand in this,” she said. “More water than ice, but it will help numb the pain.”

When he didn't immediately move, she gently took his wrist and eased his burned hand into the dish. Jacob inhaled sharply. The harsh chill felt good against his throbbing, tender skin. He shuddered. But it was the sensation of her fingers about his wrist that most affected him.

Her blue eyes filled with compassion. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I know it hurts, but the water is
gut
for it. And it will help clean out the burn.” She glanced down, made a sound of dismay and removed her cooking apron.

Jacob kept his hand submerged and watched her. His heart beat a wild tattoo at Annie's closeness. Her scent of home and baked goods was a heady combination for his lovesick heart.

Annie stood patiently while he soaked his hand. She then laid a clean tea towel on the worktable and reached to gently lift his hand from the bowl. “You should come up to the
haus
,” she urged as she carefully placed his hand on the towel, palm side down, burn side up. “I can take better care of your injury there.”

“I will be fine,” he said gruffly.

“After I put on this ointment,” she argued, “I'll need to cover the burn with gauze.” She unscrewed the lid off the jar and dipped her finger into the B & W Ointment, which she spread gently over his blistered skin. “I'll need to bandage it.”

“
Ja
, Jacob,” Joe agreed. “You need to listen to Annie. Go with her up to the
haus
and get that hand taken care of properly. Peter will clean up here. You'll not be doing any more work for a while.”

He didn't want to follow her, but he did—for Joe. Having Annie minister to him was bittersweet. As he strode behind her toward the house, Jacob observed her, enjoying the view. He saw the fine curve of her nape beneath the back of her prayer
kapp
, and with an aching heart, he looked away.

Annie waited for him to catch up, and then he walked beside her, aware of her frequent looks of concern.

She stopped at the door, opened it for him to enter. “Sit,” she ordered as she moved across the kitchen. He tried not to appear startled when she crouched before him and took his hand. She examined it closely, turning it to inspect it from all angles. She rose to her feet. “I'll do what I can here, Jacob, but you may need to see a doctor.”

“
Nay
, I'll—”

“
Ach
, don't you be arguing with me,” she said as she washed her hands. Reaching into a cabinet, she withdrew a small box, which she set on the dining table. Millie padded into the room and pushed against her leg. “Not now, Millie. Go lie down,” she commanded, and he saw the dog obey and curl up in the corner.

Silently, he watched as Annie opened the box and removed a roll of medicine tape with two packages of sterile gauze.

“You seem to know what you're doing,” he said as she pulled a chair close to his. She captured his hand and gently spread another layer of ointment over the burn. He inhaled sharply, disturbed by her touch.

She didn't seem to notice. Her eyes on his injury, she smiled crookedly. “You don't cook as often as I do without suffering a burn or two from the oven or stove.”

She rose and went to the sink to clean the ointment from her fingers. “You must be careful to keep it clean,” she instructed as she returned to her seat. “No farm or shop work—nothing that could cause infection in your wound.”

She tore open the package of gauze and secured two squares over the wound with the medical tape. He didn't seem to feel the pain as much in Annie's presence.

“I'll take you home,” she said, startling him.

He stood abruptly. “I can drive.”

She placed a hand on his arm, and he felt the warmth of her fingers through his broadcloth shirt. “
Nay
, your buggy is here, but
you
shouldn't be holding the reins. If you'd prefer, I'll walk to your house and ask one of your brothers to come drive
ya
. Or you can save time and allow me to do it. I'm sure someone there will be happy to bring me back.”

“Annie—”

“Please, Jacob,”
she pleaded. “Let me see
you
home.”

He groaned inwardly. The last thing he needed was to be close to Annie Zook in a closed buggy. “Fine. If you insist, then I will go with you.”

She flashed him a radiant smile. “Stay here.” She got up and pushed in her chair. “I'll tell
Dat
.”

He grabbed his hat off the kitchen table. “I will come with you, since the wagon is parked near the shop.”

She stared at him a long moment through narrowed eyes before she nodded. She was silent as he fell into step beside her. He kept quiet; he had nothing to say. As they reached the building, Jacob allowed her to precede him inside. He listened calmly while she explained to her father where she was going.

“I can take him,” Peter offered.

“Nay,”
Joe said, surprising Jacob. “Your sister will drive him. I need you to help me with a few things here.” He eyed Jacob with concern. “Watch that hand, Jake. Annie will bring you home. Think about seeing a doctor,
ja
?”

Jacob lifted his uninjured hand. “I will call one in the morning if the burn looks worse.”

“Are
ya
ready?” Annie asked.

Jacob didn't want to ride with her, but what other choice did he have? “I will talk with you soon,” he told Joe.

“Take care of that hand, Jacob.” Joe followed in his wheelchair. Peter was silent as he exited the shop with his father.

Without thought, Jacob started to climb into the vehicle's left side. “
Nay
, Jacob,” Annie scolded.

Embarrassed, he managed to grin. She flashed him a look of steel that had him skirting the vehicle to climb up on the other side. He used his good hand to grab hold and hoist himself onto the bench seat. Annie got in next to him and picked up the leathers.

“I'll be right back,
Dat
,” she said.

“Take your time,” her father told her. “Make sure Jacob is taken care of. We can manage without you for a while.”

Annie looked momentarily startled, but then she smiled and waved as she turned the horse toward the road. Jacob was silent as she steered the horse down the dirt lane and onto the paved main road. The only sounds were the soft thud of each horse hoof and the noise of the metal wagon wheels rolling along.

“You drive well,” he said, feeling the need to break the silence. When it was quiet, he was too consumed by thoughts of the woman beside him.

She didn't take her eyes off the way ahead. “Janey is a
gut
horse. Your family has had her a long time. She listens well.”

“Ja.”
Struck silent by her smile, he turned toward the side window opening. “She is a fine animal, and we are glad to have her.” Being this close to Annie made him realize how much he cared for her. He was conscious of her quiet strength, her warmth and her pleasing clean scent as she handled the reins. When she'd ministered to his wounded hand at the house earlier, he'd been close to confessing his feelings for her. But he'd kept silent. What would she say if he told her now? He wanted to hold on to this moment, when he almost could believe that she might care. He felt the strongest urge to face her, to touch her hair and tug teasingly on her
kapp
strings. She stirred something within him that urged him to discover a way to keep her in his life and by his side.

Chapter Eleven

A
s she steered the horse-drawn wagon toward the Lapp farm, Annie was anxiously aware of Jacob's silence. “Your hand hurts.”

He appeared startled and then his expression turned wry. “
Ja
, it's throbbing. I'll live.”

She turned her attention back to the road. “I'm sorry this happened.” She hesitated. “Was it Peter's fault?”

“
Nay.
I became distracted.”

“Peter says it's his fault.”

“
Nay
, I took off my work glove before he accidentally knocked a table peg off the anvil. I didn't think, and I brushed the back of my hand against the hot metal as I leaned to pick it up.”

“Table peg?” She flashed him another glance.

“
Ja.
Rick Martin bought a table from a used furniture dealer. The legs are secured with metal pegs. One was bent and another missing. Rick asked me to make replacements for him.” He offered her a pain-filled smile. “It was my fault, not Peter's.”

She looked skeptical. “You are a kind man, Jacob Lapp.”

He was silent as he stared out of his side of the vehicle. “I don't feel kind.”

She frowned. Not kind? She wanted to ask why he felt this way. He obviously didn't know himself well. He was thoughtful, generous and had a good heart. Annie steered the conversation in another direction to distract him from his pain. “I wanted to tell you earlier—before Peter came into the kitchen—Reuben Miller came to dinner the other night.”

“I saw him talking with you in the yard,” he said quietly.

“He said he came for new horseshoes.” Annie waited for his response.

“
Ja
,
he did,” he said. “The job
didn't take long. I replaced the mare's front shoes. Your
vadder
changed out the others last summer.”

Annie gave him a look. “My
mudder's
been playing matchmaker again. Reuben was invited to the house as the next in line as my potential husband.” She sighed. “I wish she would stop interfering.”

“You don't like Reuben?” he asked.

“He is nice enough, but he isn't what I'm looking for.”

“
Ja
, you want to marry a church elder.”

Annie nodded but kept her eyes on the road ahead of her.

“Levi,” he guessed.

“Nay,”
she murmured. “He likes Barbara.”

“Barbara?” He sounded surprised. “I thought you went on an outing with him.”

She nodded, surprised that he'd known. “
Ja
, I did, with Barbara as our chaperone.” She smiled crookedly. “They had a wonderful time together. It was I who felt like the chaperone.”

“I'm sorry,” Jacob said.

Annie shrugged. “I'm not. There are other older men in our community.”

“Why do you want only an older man?” Jacob asked. “Don't
ya
want someone who'll cherish you?”

She flashed him a look, startled by the intensity of his golden gaze. Cherish? She was hoping for someone who would simply be happy to have her to wife. She would feel blessed to be cherished by her husband, but she doubted that would ever happen.

“Younger men don't want me.” Annie felt her face heat. “I can trust an older man.”

“What about me?” Jacob asked.

“You?” She became flustered. “What about you?”

“Don't you trust me?”

“I trust you,” she hedged, wondering where the conversation was leading. “We are friends—” He shifted in his seat and Annie saw him wince. “I'm sorry. Your hand is hurting you.”

“I'm fine,” he insisted, but his pale features said otherwise.

The Samuel Lapp farm was several yards ahead. Annie flipped on the buggy's battery-operated turn signal as the vehicle approached the dirt road. She waited for two cars to pass, then when the path was clear, she carefully steered the horse onto the lane that led to their farmhouse. She was glad that conversation had ended. She didn't know why he'd started it.

“I'll ask Eli to take you home,” Jacob said as she parked in the barnyard.

“Danki.”
She glanced his way as he shifted to get out. “Jacob—”

He turned, his brow furrowed. “I'm fine, Annie.”

She touched his arm, felt the muscle tighten. “I'm sorry this happened.”

One corner of his mouth curved upward as he shrugged. “You don't have to apologize.” He held up his bandaged hand. “You're not responsible.”

“You will see a doctor?”

“I'll see how it is in the morning. If it looks worse, then,
ja
, I'll see a doctor.”

She nodded, satisfied. It was all she could ask of him. “Until then, if you need anything—” She bit her lip. “You'll tell me?” She leaned closer and stared into his eyes.
“Please?”

He stared back at her, his good hand cradling his injured one. Finally, he broke eye contact. “I'll get my brother Eli.” He walked a few feet and then stopped and faced her. “Annie, you said you trust me. I want you to consider something carefully...
me
.”

As Jacob headed toward the house again, Annie climbed out of the vehicle, skirted the buggy and waited outside in the yard.
Him?
Was Jacob actually suggesting that she consider him as someone who could be more than a friend? Had he been serious? Or just teasing her? Now that he had put the idea in her mind, she had trouble dismissing it. They were friends, she reminded herself. Then why did she feel flustered whenever Jacob was near?

She stared at the house, waiting for Eli. Within minutes, Katie Lapp appeared. “Annie!” Jacob's mother called out to her. “Come inside while you wait.”

Annie smiled shyly as she climbed the porch steps and entered through the door Katie held open.

“I did the best I could for him,” Annie said as she moved into the warmth of Katie's kitchen, “but you may want to check his hand yourself. I'm afraid he'll be stubborn about seeing a doctor.”

“I'm sure you did fine, Annie, but if it makes you feel better, I'll examine the burn later.” Katie smiled at her as she gestured for Annie to sit down. “Our men can be stubborn creatures.”

“
Ja
, and Jacob, I fear, is more stubborn than my
vadder
, who is stubborn as a mule.” Annie gasped and covered her mouth, realizing what she'd said, but Jacob's mother chuckled. “I can walk home. 'Tis no trouble, and the day is pleasant outside.”

Katie shook her head. “Eli will take you. Jacob went upstairs to get him.”

“
Ach
, I don't want to impose.”

Katie turned on the stove and put on a kettle. “Will
ya
have tea?”

Annie thought a moment.
Dat
had told her to take her time. “
Ja
, I'd like that.”

“Gut.”
As the water heated on the stove, Jacob's mother reached into the cabinet for cups.

Jacob and Eli entered the kitchen as their mother brewed the tea. “Annie is going to enjoy refreshments before you take her home, Eli. I made you each a cup.”

“If
ya
don't mind,
Mam
, I would prefer something cold.” Jacob held up his bandaged hand. Annie was conscious that he avoided her gaze. She wanted to pull him aside and ask him if he'd been teasing earlier about considering him as a potential husband instead of someone older.

“How about a root beer?” his mother asked.

“That would be
gut
.” Jacob pulled out a chair and saw Eli smile at Annie as he took the seat next to her.

“
Hallo
, Annie,” his twin said.

She smiled. “Eli. You have time to take me home?”

“
Ja.
After we enjoy our tea.”

“Annie.” Katie handed Annie a cup and then extended one toward Eli.

After accepting it from her, Eli prepared the tea the way he liked it. “How is Joe?” he asked.

“
Dat
is fine. Doing better.” Annie frowned as she watched Jacob. She had noticed that he'd winced a time or two, although he'd tried hard to hide it. “
Dat
is worried about your brother,” she told Eli.

She saw Eli glance at Jacob before returning his attention back to her with a funny look on his face.

Katie took a chilled bottle of root beer out of the refrigerator and handed it to Jacob.

“Where's Hannah?” Annie asked of Katie's youngest child and only daughter.

“She's over at Charlotte's.” Katie sat down at the table. “Playing with Ruth Ann.”

Jacob lifted his drink with his uninjured hand.

Annie couldn't seem to take her eyes off him as he took a sip and set the glass down on the table. “Jacob—”

He turned and fixed her with a look. “I'm fine, Annie.”

Eli raised his eyebrows. “She saw the burn, Jake. Maybe she knows better than you.”

“
Ja
, Eli,” Annie said. “I think he should see a doctor. He says he is fine, but he's not.” She paused. “You said you'd go if your hand appeared worse. Will you go if your
mam
says you should though you may think differently?” she asked him with a quick glance toward his mother.

Jacob sighed. “You'll not rest unless I agree?”

Annie nodded. “If you agree, I won't mention it again.”

“Then I agree.”

“And I will take a look at it and decide.” Katie pushed a plate of lemon squares in Annie's direction.

Annie smiled with satisfaction as she chose one before sliding the plate toward Eli, who sat next to her. Eli took a square and nudged the plate toward Jacob.

Jacob declined the treat and finished his soda. As he set down the empty bottle, he rose. “If you don't mind, I'm going to head upstairs.” He addressed Annie. “
Danki
for dressing my burn and bringing me home.”

“Even though you didn't want me to drive?” she challenged.

Jacob's cheeks flushed. “
Ja
, even though.” He grabbed the empty soda bottle and set it on the counter near the sink. “Eli, I'll talk with you after you take Annie home.”

Eli nodded. “I'll see you later.”

Annie finished her tea. “I will talk with you again soon, Jacob,” she murmured.

Eli put down his empty cup and stood. “Would you like another?”

“
Nay.
I'm ready to go whenever you are.”

Katie rose and gathered the teacups. “Let me help wash those,” Annie said as Eli went outside to check on the horse.

“
Nay
, you get home to your
dat
. If I know Joe, he'll be worrying about Jacob.” She smiled. “I appreciate the way you took care of him today.”

“Jacob is a
gut
man. I'm glad I could help him.”

“Jacob may seem too serious at times, but he has a pure heart.” Katie tied a work apron about her waist.

“He's been kind to my family, helping me after
Dat's
accident, working in the shop to help my
vadder
.” She paused. “He is a
gut
friend.”

“Annie?” Eli appeared in the doorway. “Ready?”

She nodded. “The tea and lemon squares were delicious.”

Katie smiled. “Say
hallo
to your
mudder
and
vadder
.”

Annie nodded and then left, following Eli out of the house and into the buggy. Soon, Eli had steered Janey out onto the main road in the direction of Annie's home.

“You're quiet,” Eli said after a time.

“Just thoughtful,” she answered.

“He'll be fine, Jacob.” He exchanged looks with her. “His hand will heal.”

Annie inclined her head. “It shouldn't have happened. He said that no one was at fault, but I wonder...”

Eli raised his eyebrows. “Does it matter?”

She sighed. “
Nay
, I suppose not.”

Eli drew up on the leathers as a car passed too swiftly. He frowned. “Careless
Englishers
are going to hurt someone seriously one day.”

“
Ja.
Lately, it seems that there are more than the usual tourists in Lancaster County.”

“Come to enjoy the fall foliage?” Eli asked.

Annie smiled. “Or to get a
gut
look at us Plain folk.”

They chatted easily as Eli drove onto the Zooks' dirt lane and into the barnyard.

“I appreciate the ride, Eli,” Annie said with a smile before she climbed out of the buggy.

“I'll see you on Sunday, Annie.
Danki
for taking care of Jacob.”

Annie felt her face warm at the mention of Jacob's name. “Will you take him to the doctor if he needs it?”

“Ja.”
Eli tilted his head, then suddenly widened his eyes. “You like him!”

Her heart skipped a beat. “He's my friend.”

Eli smiled. “Jacob's a lucky man to have you as his friend.”

She felt as if she needed to get away before she said something she shouldn't. “I will see you on Sunday. Will
ya
be going to the youth singing?”

Eli nodded. “
Ja
, I wouldn't miss it.” He shifted to face her. “You?”

“I'm thinking about it. I haven't been since before
Dat's
accident.” Annie leaned in while she talked with Eli. “It should be fun.” She started to walk away, then promptly spun back around. “Did
ya
hear that Rebekkah Miller is betrothed? The banns are being posted today.”

“She is?” Eli looked thoughtful. “To whom, do you know?”

“Caleb Yoder.”

“The new doctor?” he asked, and Annie nodded. “How did you find out?”

She stood back and brushed something off her apron. “I spoke with Reuben the other day.”

Eli looked out the front buggy window before turning to give her a twisted smile. “I used to be sweet on her.”