“I’m so sorry.” Helen rushed to snag Clyde’s leash before he could do more damage. Loud guffaws of laughter erupted from the two men who came to help the poor victim to his feet. When he turned around, Helen wanted to sink into the mud herself. It was Mark Bowman, the rude man from the bus. The one she narrowly missed running down ten minutes ago.
He stood and shook the mud from his hands. His eyes widened when he caught sight of her. “You! I might have known.”
“I’m sorry. He got away from me. He’s very strong.” She pulled Clyde to her side, where he sat happily with his tongue lolling, looking as innocent as only a dog can.
The men with Mark were trying to stifle their laughter without much success. He glared at them and then at her. “Has anyone told you that you’re a menace?”
Helen’s mouth dropped open. It wasn’t like she had planned to humiliate him. She fisted her hands on her hips. “Let me think. Nee, no one has mentioned it, but I’m sure someone has told you that you’re judgmental as well as rude.”
She spun on her heels and yanked on Clyde’s lead. He ambled happily beside her, occasionally stepping on his own long ears.
When she rounded the corner of the house and was sure she couldn’t be seen by him, she stopped and stared at Clyde. “This was not how I wanted to start out in a new community. I’m going to have to apologize.”
She peeked around the corner of the house. Mark was still standing with his friends. She jerked back when he looked her way. She pressed her head against the side of the house. She didn’t have the courage to return and face him.
“I don’t need to apologize, I just need to avoid him. How hard can that be?”
Mark stared after the woman as she vanished around the corner of the house. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had made him so angry. “I think she did that on purpose. Who is she?”
Paul continued to chuckle. “What did you say that upset the madel enough to set her hund on you?”
Mark wasn’t proud of his earlier comment. “Nothing.”
“The truth now, I heard you shout something at her when the buggy flew past you. What did you say, bruder?”
“After she almost ran me down, I said if she couldn’t drive any better than that to give the reins to the dog.”
“Ouch.” Noah grimaced.
“I know. It was not my best moment.” He could see now that he’d been too harsh. Both times. He rubbed his hands on his pants. They would be dirtier than this before the day was over anyway. Hopefully, she and her mutt would stay out of his way from now on. He’d sure keep an eye out for the pair. Looking toward the house, he wondered how long she would be staying in the area.
Noah combed his short beard with the fingers of one hand. “She’s a good judge of character.”
Mark picked up the rope he had dropped. “What makes you say that?”
“I know that you can be judgmental and rude, but I’ve worked beside you for two years. She’s only just met you.”
“I’m not judgmental.” He looked at his cousin and his brother. “Am I?”
They both nodded. Mark tossed his rope in the wagon. “I like to see things done the right way. Stop laughing like jackals and get to work.”
Paul climbed to the wagon seat still chuckling. “I wonder if she will rent out her dog. I’d love to have a way to take you down a peg or two when you get short with me.”
“If you did your work, I wouldn’t get short with you, and if I never see that mutt again, it will be too soon.” Mark hauled himself up beside his brother.
“I like him. He’s a cute dog. Fannie adores him.” Noah boarded the other wagon and picked up the reins.
“He’s a ridiculous animal. His legs are too short, his ears are too big and he smells bad.”
Paul unwound the reins from the brake handle. “Careful, your rude and judgmental character is showing.”
“Go soak your head.” Mark glanced toward the house again, but she was staying out of sight. Who was she?
* * *
Helen found Anna Bowman directing the placement of tables and benches that would be used when the noonday meal was served. Charlotte was standing beside her. She caught sight of Helen and motioned her over.
Clyde tried jumping on Anna when she came within range, but Helen was prepared and held on tightly.
Charlotte swept a hand toward Helen. “I’ve brought my niece along. Helen is visiting me for the summer. That’s the only reason she is here, and I’m not going to say another word about it.”
Anna chuckled. “And a very good reason it is. It’s nice to meet you, Helen. I’m Anna Bowman.” She turned and beckoned to a young woman at one of the tables. “Fannie, will you show Helen where we are setting up the food? Fannie is married to my youngest son, Noah. She’ll introduce you to everyone and make you feel welcome.”
“Oh, I see Grace and Silas Yoder. Let’s go say hello, Juliet.” Charlotte and Anna walked away to visit with an older woman in a wheelchair and the man standing behind her. The couple called a greeting to Clyde, who barked and wagged his tail.
Her aunt was quickly surrounded by a group of children who wanted a closer look at Juliet. The raccoon seemed delighted with the attention, moving from shoulder to shoulder and patting each child’s face in turn.
“Your aunt is quite a character,” Fannie said.
Helen judged Fannie to be near her own age. Twenty-two or twenty-three perhaps. She had a contagious smile, red hair and more than her fair share of freckles. She turned aside to avoid Clyde’s leap and said, “Bad dog. Sit.”
To Helen’s amazement, he did. “I don’t believe it.”
Fannie laughed. “I’ve had a lot of experience training animals. My husband and I train horses. Let me take the hamper. Where are you from, and how long will you be staying with us?”
“I’m from Nappanee, Indiana, and I’ll be staying with Aenti Charlotte until I can find a job and get a place of my own.” Helen walked beside Fannie toward the house. Clyde trotted happily at Fannie’s side, sending her adoring glances.
“You’re planning to settle here permanently?” Fannie walked beneath the branches of a large tree near the door at the rear of the house. She held the door open.
“That will depend on what kind of job I can find. Any suggestions?”
“My husband mentioned something about his father’s business needing help the other day, but I don’t know any details. What kind of work are you looking for?”
“One that pays a salary. I’m not picky.”
“We don’t have many businesses in this area. Besides the woodworking shop, there is only Anna’s gift shop and a hardware store up the road that’s run by Luke Bowman and his wife. I’ll introduce you to Emma after we put this food out, but I’m sure they aren’t looking for help. Emma has two younger brothers.”
Helen followed Fannie to the kitchen and started to unpack her hamper. Clyde raised his nose to sniff the food already laid out on the counters. Fannie put a foot on the leash as he tried to jump up, foiling his effort to snatch a tidbit.
“Down.” The single stern word from Fannie made him plop on the floor. She praised him sweetly. He wagged his entire rear end but stayed put.
Through