An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller Read Free Book Online

frowning. “How do you know where anything is?”
    “It’s written on the bag.” He showed her the words written in faded marker on the label. He could barely make out the print, but it was there. “See?”
    Elisabeth squinted. “Oh, ya , now I can. For a minute there I thought I might need glasses. Where did you say the file folders are?”
    “I didn’t.” He glanced around for a few moments. “I know we got a box of them here somewhere. Just can’t recall where I put them. Oh, wait.” He crouched down underneath the desk, then retrieved a brand-new box of folders. He blew on the top of the box, sending more dust flying. She really did have her work cut out for her. “Here you geh .”
    She accepted the box from him, then set it on top of one of the leaning stacks of papers. “Are all the cabinets filled with baggies?”
    Aaron nodded. “The desk drawers too. I’ve also got a couple boxes of papers over there.” He pointed into the far corner of the office. “Those date back years. Seems Gabe and John didn’t have a much better system than I did.”
    “It’s going to take me forever to sort through all this. Not that I’m complaining. I don’t mind this one bit.” She tapped her finger on her bottom lip. “I just need to figure out where to start.”
    He watched her as she continued tapping, noticing for the first time how delicate her hands were. She wore a light green dress, which complemented her fair skin. During his teen years he had thought Amish clothing to be drab and frumpy, especially the Amish dresses. When he had gone through his rumspringa , he had spent time with plenty of girls who had dressed far less modestly and had no problems wearing short skirts and baring tops that showed a lot of skin. As a fifteen- and sixteen-year-old, he had enjoyed the view. But now that he was older and had joined the church, he had a new appreciation for the modest dress of Amish women. Their clothing left everything to the imagination, which he found far more appealing.
    Not that he’d ever had such thoughts about Elisabeth. He hadn’t paid much attention to her growing up. They were a couple of years apart and, of course, had run around with different people. Besides, she was so innocent, sheltered by her family, something she didn’t seem to mind. He, on the other hand, was far from pure. They had little in common, other than being related to Tobias and Rachel.
    Gabe walked in the office, breaking into Aaron’s thoughts. “Sorry I’m late. Moriah and Ester aren’t feeling well, so I was up most of the night with the boppli .” He put his hands on his hips and did a quick scan of the small space. “I see Aaron has already showed you everything.”
    Elisabeth nodded. “I promise I’ll get the place in tip-top shape.”
    With a chuckle Gabe said, “I know you will. That’s why I hired you.” He turned to Aaron. “Lukas stopped by last night. He had an order for six sconces from Anna Esh. She and her mudder took over that little shop, Trinkets and Treasures, and she wants to sell some of them in her store. I thought it was a gut idea.”
    Aaron nodded. “We better get started.” He looked at Elisabeth, who held a baggie full of yellow, white, and pink papers. “Any other questions?”
    She shook her head and smiled. “I’ve got it under control.”
    But just as Aaron turned away, he saw her expression change from confident to doubtful. Which surprised him, since Elisabeth always seemed to be sure of herself, except for the other day when she babysat Velda and Ester.
    Gabe had already left the room, and Aaron had intended to follow right behind him. Instead he paused. “Elisabeth?”
    She turned to him, her bright smile back in place. “ Ya ?”
    “If you need anything, let me know. Okay?”
    “That’s nice of you, Aaron, but I’ll be fine. I can do this.”
    As he left the office he thought he heard her whisper the same words again.

Chapter 4
    T here. Toilet’s fixed.” Lukas