“We just wanted to pet the puppy,” Thomas explained and his brother nodded in agreement.
“Still, you know better than to run into the parking lot,” Sarah reminded them firmly. “And to leave without permission.”
“They are young boys eager to explore,” the man said quietly.
“Ja,” she replied, “and they are a handful on their best behavior.” She closed her eyes briefly and shuddered. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been nearby.”
“The Lord planned for me to help.” His soft answer touched a chord in her. “The boys learned a lesson and won’t run into the road or parking lot without looking again...or without permission again. Will you, boys?” They looked up at their rescuer and nodded their agreement with their eyes wide.
Sarah smiled. It must be true. The Lord watched over her brothers and sent this man to help the boys when they were in trouble. She studied the man closely. “You don’t live here in Delaware.” The Amish man’s clean-shaven face told her he was still single. “Pennsylvania,” she guessed. At his nod, she asked, “Lancaster County?”
“Ja,” he said. He studied her, his look making her feel warm inside. “But you live not far from here.”
She blinked. “Ja, ’tis true...but what gave it away?”
“Your prayer kapp.”
Sarah smiled. “Ja, ours are shaped differently than the women from your area.” The back of their kapps was round, while the women in Lancaster wore kapps with a back that resembled a seamed heart.
She had relatives in Pennsylvania, although it had been many years since she’d visited them. Lancaster County was home to the largest Amish population in the country. Lancaster Amish returned each week to run the shops at Spence’s Bazaar Auction and Flea Market in the Farmers’ Market building.
“You have a table,” Sarah said.
“Ja. I came with my uncle to sell plants and his woodcrafts.”
“Do you know anyone who runs a Farmers’ Market shop?” She pointed toward a building that housed several mini shops.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I haven’t been inside the building yet.”
“You should take the time to go inside,” Sarah urged. “They have the best food. My cousin and I like the pork sandwiches from the meat shop.” Her heart skipped a beat as cinnamon-brown eyes met hers. “This is your first time here.”
“Ja. That is my uncle and this is our table.” He gestured behind him to where an older man stood helping an Englischer buy a jewelry box. “Arlin made all the wooden items. I brought plants from my mother’s greenhouse.” He introduced his uncle as Arlin Stoltzfus.
“You both should do well here,” she said after she and Arlin had greeted each other. “Englischers love to buy plants for their flower and vegetable gardens at Spence’s.” She glanced toward the man’s table and spied a potato bin among the items for sale. She turned back to smile at the man. “I’ll have to come back later to shop.”
The man studied her with an intentness that made her nape prickle. His dark hair under his straw hat was cut in the style of Amish men. His bright brown eyes, square, firm jaw and ready smile made her tingle and glance away briefly.
Her gaze settled on his shirt. She couldn’t help noticing the way his maroon broadfall shirt fit under his dark suspenders and the long length of his tri-blend denim pants legs. She had to look up to meet his gaze. He stood at least eight inches above her five-foot-one height. His arms looked firm and muscled from hard work. Sarah felt her face warm and she quickly averted her gaze.
Thomas tugged on her arm. “Can we go back to our table now?”
“We promise to be gut and sit nicely in the chairs,” Timothy added.
Sarah studied them a moment, until she realized that they were sincere. “Go ahead. Make sure you listen to Mary Alice...and sit and behave!”
With a whoop of joy, the boys scampered back to their table. Sarah watched with relief as they kept their word and sat in their chairs. Mary Alice was busy selling baked goods. There were several people waiting in line to make a purchase. “I should get back—my cousin needs help selling our cakes and pies.” She also didn’t trust her brothers to behave for much longer. “Danki for rescuing the boys—”
He smiled. “Jedidiah Lapp.”
“And I am Sarah Mast.” She returned his smile. The intensity of his regard made her face heat. “I hope you sell everything you brought today, Jedidiah Lapp.”
“I hope all of your cakes and pies sell quickly,” he replied.
She was conscious of the man’s gaze on her as she hurried back to her table. A pie, she mused. She’d bring him a cherry pie in appreciation. Perhaps purchase some plants from him for their vegetable garden.
She chanced a quick look toward his table, watching as he helped a customer make a purchase. Jedidiah Lapp, she thought, intrigued. He remained in her thoughts as she worked with her cousin to sell the rest of her baked goods.
As the day went on, Sarah couldn’t help the occasional glance toward his table to see how Jedidiah was doing. Normal curiosity about the man who saved my bruders, she told herself when she caught herself looking toward him often. Or is it?
* * *
Later that afternoon, when she’d sold all of her baked goods but one, Sarah picked up the cherry pie she’d saved for Jedidiah and headed toward his table.
“I see you sold most of your items,” Sarah said with a smile as she approached.
With an answering grin, Jedidiah came out from behind the stand. “Most, but not all. What we don’t sell today, we’ll sell tomorrow,” he said. “Will you return?”
“Nay,” Sarah said, feeling suddenly disappointed. “We had a gut day, too. Sold everything we intended.” She handed him the pie. “I saved this for you. I hope you like cherry.”
Jedidiah looked startled. “It’s my favorite. How did you know?”
“I didn’t,” Sarah said, pleased by his reaction. “I’m glad to hear it.” The man’s eyes suddenly focused on something behind her. She turned and saw her young brothers as they approached.
“They don’t seem too upset by the experience,” Jedidiah said as he met her gaze.
“Not a bit,” she agreed with a half smile. “But I can’t say the same for you or me.”
“When are we going for ice cream?” Thomas asked.
Timothy jerked a nod. “Ja, when can we go?”
“Is that any way to greet Jedidiah?” Sarah scolded.
They looked at Jedidiah and grinned. “Hallo, Jedidiah. Have you seen the puppy?”
“Timothy!” Sarah exclaimed, embarrassed.
The man laughed. “I’m sure my brothers and I were just like them.” He tugged on the brim of the boy’s hat. “Afraid I haven’t seen the puppy, but don’t worry—I’m sure he’s all right.”
Both brothers looked relieved. “We don’t have