An Amish Wife For Christmas. Patricia Davids

owner didn’t spend much time training her.”

      “I can see that. She is friendlier since she’s had a few meals. She seems to have a lot of puppy in her yet. In a way she reminds me of my brother.”

      “How so?”

      “A lot of potential, but very little focus.”

      “I’d like to meet this kid.”

      “I’m sure you will since you’ll be living just out our back door.”

      He frowned. “The cabin is close to your house?”

      “Fifty yards, maybe less.”

      “I assumed it was more secluded.”

      “It is set back in the woods. We won’t bother you if that’s what you are worried about.”

      “I like my privacy.” He couldn’t very well explain he was worried she’d hear him yelling in the middle of the night.

      The dog came trotting back and sat down between them, still holding her trophy. Michael bent to grab the board as Bethany did the same. They smacked heads. His hat flipped off and landed in the snow. The dog dropped the wood, snatched up the hat and took off with it.

      Michael held his head and glanced at Bethany. “Are you okay?”

      * * *

      Bethany rubbed her smarting forehead. Maybe it was a sign that she needed some sense knocked into her. She had come to give Michael his money back and had ended up offering him a job instead. The thump on her skull had come too late. “I’m fine.”

      “Are you sure? Do you want some ice?”

      “Nee, it won’t leave a mark. Will it?” She pulled her hand away.

      He bent closer. “I think you’re going to have a bump.”

      “Great.”

      “I am sorry.” He looked down at the dog, now standing a few feet away, still holding his hat. “See what you did to Bethany.”

      The dog whined and lay down, the picture of dejection. Bethany crouched and offered her hand to the animal. “Don’t scold the poor thing. It wasn’t her fault. Are you going to keep her?”

      “I can’t walk away and leave her to fend for herself. Besides, her goofy behavior leaves me smiling more often than not. Ja, I will keep her. She seems to have decided she belongs with me.”

      Bethany knew she should leave but found herself reluctant to go. There was something intriguing about the man. One minute they were discussing his job and the next second he went pale as a sheet and couldn’t get away from her fast enough. A few minutes later they were both laughing at the antics of a stray dog. The truth was she liked him. A lot. But she had to find a way to keep her family together. She couldn’t allow a distraction to interfere with that.

      She took the hat from the dog and handed it to Michael. “I should get going.”