“Leah.” The corners of his mouth bowed upward. “She’s the sweetest and kindest of all of my dechter, but she can also be the most hardheaded.”
“I’ve never known Missy to be hardheaded.” Henry noted a strange look enter the man’s expression and saw him stiffen.
“Leah hasn’t welcomed you back to our church community, has she?” When Henry was too stunned to answer, the man continued, “Don’t let it bother you. She’ll get used to you soon enough.”
“You think so?”
Arlin nodded. “Ja. ’Tis Leah. She’s different than the others. I’ve never known her to be upset with anyone for long.”
Henry took comfort from her father’s belief that sooner or later Leah would accept him for the changed adult man that he’d become—and forget his foolish teenage mistakes.
* * *
His father was released from the hospital late Monday afternoon. Henry had worked on the cabinet an hour or two after the store closed. He stopped when his dat got home since he wanted to spend time with him and to assure his parents that the store had run smoothly with a steady flow of customers in their absence.
Henry got up extra early Tuesday morning and finished the cabinet. He had time to make a quick run to Arlin’s to install it. While he drove his market wagon to the residence, he hoped to see Leah again. His heart raced at the prospect. As he pulled his vehicle into the driveway and parked near the barn, he caught a glimpse of the woman ever present in his thoughts at the clothesline, taking down laundry. She must have heard him arrive for she turned and glowered at him.
He climbed down from the wagon and reached into the back to retrieve the cabinet. He didn’t realize that Leah had left the clothesline to approach until she stood within several feet of him. She watched silently as he carried the cabinet inside the barn. Henry set it in the designated stall, then left to get his tools. He accidently bumped into Leah as she entered the barn. Instinctively, he reached out to steady her.
“Careful,” he murmured. She smelled like vanilla and honey, a fragrance that would forever make him think of her. Her soap?
He saw her throat move as she swallowed when she stepped away. “You’ve finished it already?” She seemed skeptical.
“Ja,” he replied. “’Tis a simple design. Gut enough for a barn stall.”
Her brow knit with confusion. “Where are you going?”
He hid his pleasure. It was as if she was afraid that he’d leave. “To get my tools.” When red stained her cheeks, he realized that he’d guessed correctly. Hiding his joy, he swept past her on his way back to his wagon, where he retrieved everything he’d need for installation, including the cabinet doors, which he’d left off to make it easier for him to carry the unit. Leah hadn’t moved from where he’d left her. He didn’t say a word as he walked past her and into the stall.
Ignoring her, he pulled out his tape measure to gauge the distance between the small shelf to the wall corner. He’d crafted the cabinet to the right measurement. Feeling pleased, he placed two screws between his lips before he lifted the cabinet to where he wanted to secure it. Henry pulled his carpenter’s pencil from behind his ear and marked within the predrilled holes before setting the unit down again. He grabbed his battery-operated screwdriver, picked up the cabinet, then screwed it into place. Once secure, he wordlessly reached for a door, which he installed before he secured the second one. When he was finished, he turned. Leah stood behind him, examining his work. She jumped back, startled as she met his gaze. He didn’t say a word as he picked up his tools and headed outside.
“It looks gut,” Leah said grudgingly as she followed him out of the barn.
He met her gaze to see if she was mocking him. She wasn’t. She seemed genuinely impressed by what he’d done in so short a time. Her approval spiked his pleasure of standing in her company. “Basic and solid.”
“You finished it,” she said. “But it’s not one that belongs in a kitchen. I think it’s exactly what Dat had in mind.”
“I just made it to look like your vadder’s drawings.”
She nodded. Her expression wasn’t bitter or condemning. Henry felt his heart open like a blossom in the sun. He gazed at her a long time, then dragged his eyes away. He’d made some progress with Leah and he didn’t want to press his luck. He climbed onto the wagon seat. “Show it to your vadder when he gets home, ja?”
“I will,” she said.
“Take care, Leah.” He turned the horse-drawn vehicle toward the main road. He flicked the leathers and his mare started forward when he heard her shout.
“Henry!”
He immediately drew in the reins to halt his horse.
She walked to his vehicle and gazed up at him. “I’ve decided... I’d like you to teach me about storekeeping.”
He blinked, pleased. “You do?” When she nodded, he felt his heart rate accelerate. “Gut. There’s a lot I can show you.” He smiled. “Do you have a name for your shop?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have a name because I don’t have one yet.”
“Think about a name. It will help you as you reach for your goal.”
He heard her release a sharp breath. “I’ll do that.” She grew quiet. “I should go,” she said. “I’ll see you later, Henry.”
“I want to know the name of your shop the next time I see you.” His lips curved. “We can talk about your plans then.”
“Sunday?” she asked, almost like an invitation.
He nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
When she beamed at him, he left with the mental image of her lovely face turned toward him, her gaze without censure. It wasn’t forgiveness or friendship he’d seen in her blue eyes, but it was a start. He grinned. He couldn’t wait to see her again. She’d become important to him. He attributed his anticipation to his interest in her as a woman and a prospective friend.
* * *
Leah groaned as Henry pulled his buggy onto the main road. What had she done? She’d been impressed by the cabinet he’d made, but was that any reason to ask the man if he was coming to their church service? Like she wanted him there?
She couldn’t believe she’d been so impulsive. Why had she accepted his offer of assistance? Henry Yoder was trouble and she certainly didn’t want or need it in her life. She had enough to contend with. Working with Ellie yesterday had been wonderful. They’d earned a great deal of money, and Leah was able to put a substantial amount away for her shop.
“I can do this. It will be business only,” she murmured as she took down the laundry.
She exhaled with relief. She’d be polite, businesslike, but she wouldn’t give him any special attention. She would express her gratitude, of course. He was offering her his time, and she was thankful. A working relationship with him was nothing to be concerned about.
Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled his smile, the way the sunlight had reflected on the tiny golden streaks in his dark hair. Leah closed her eyes in shock. She was attracted to Henry Yoder. As long as she kept her distance emotionally from him, she would be fine.
“I’ll not lose my heart to him,” she whispered. And she found herself relaxing. She just had to remember that this was Henry Yoder, and she was interested only in opening a craft store.
She’d unpinned the last garment from the clothesline and headed back to the house. She smiled when she spied her father as he came home from a day spent with Horseshoe Joe Zook, Meg’s father-in-law. Dat had