Patchwork Dreams by Laura Hilton Read Free Book Online

hook.
    “We’re almost finished. This will be the last batch. When the cookies are cooled, we’ll give you some to take home to your family. Care for some coffee?”
    “Danki.”
    “So, what is going on at your haus?” Annie poured the coffee and set a cup in front of Becky and one beside her Mamm. “We saw Tony dropping someone off at your haus a couple of days ago. Do you have family visiting?”
    Becky leaned forward, hooking her fingers through the handle of the cup. “Jah. Not family, exactly. He’s a very distant cousin of Daed’s. We thought he came out to be part of the swap. Jacob said he was sent out to help Daed, and he has a girl back home. But, Annie, maybe he’ll stay. You’ve got to meet him. He’d be perfect to take your mind off Luke. He’s so gut-looking.”
    Shoving Jacob in Annie’s direction hurt more than Becky had expected it to. She wanted to snatch the words back and hold them close.
    Annie shrugged. “I don’t want to take some other girl’s man. That’d be wrong.”
    “Jah, but you could help him change his mind.” Why did she keep talking? “You’ve got to see him, Annie. He is so cute.”
    “Maybe you want him for yourself, jah?” Annie’s mamm said with a quirk of an eyebrow.
    Becky’s eyes widened. “Me? Nein. I’ll never marry. Besides, I’m used goods. He wouldn’t have me.”
    “What? You’ll never marry?” Annie slid the last tray of cookies into the oven. “I wouldn’t be so sure. I overheard Bishop Sol talking to your daed about marrying you up with Amos Kropf. His third wife recently died, and he’s got all those kinner who need a mamm. I heard Amos has his eye on you, since you’ve got Emma and no husband.”
    Becky’s skin crawled, and her stomach heaved with the force of sudden, rising nausea. By God’s grace, she kept the contents down.
    Not Amos Kropf. Please, God. Nein.
    If only someone else would have her. Someone like Jacob.
    ***
    The afternoon seemed to go by a little easier. The orders from the morning’s customers had all been taken care of, and now the only person waiting was a man who appeared to be approximately the same age as Daniel. Since this man wanted to talk privately, Daniel had sent Jacob out to get him a drink and a couple of cookies. The errand wouldn’t take long but would give the men the privacy they wanted.
    When Jacob walked into the kitchen, he saw Daniel’s frau working on some sort of baking. He’d made sure to wipe his feet first this time, not wanting to track anything on Becky’s clean floor. “Excuse me, ma’am. Daniel wants something to drink and a couple of cookies.”
    Daniel’s frau turned around and smiled. “Call me Leah.” She nodded toward the counter. “Help yourself to the cookies.” Elbow-deep in flour, she kneaded a lump of dough.
    Jacob nodded, washed his hands, and grabbed two cookies from the apple-shaped cookie jar. He placed them on a napkin, then took a cup out of the cupboard and filled it with water.
    He had almost reached the door when Leah spoke again. “Are you liking it here so far?”
    Jacob stopped, turned, and shrugged. He hadn’t really had a chance to decide how he felt—about the location. “So far, so gut.” What else could he say? Becky fascinated him too much for his own good, and he missed his family and his girl. That was the whole reason Becky fascinated him. Had to be. Plus, he had absolutely no desire to become a blacksmith.
    And there, his attitude had reared its ugly head again.
    Following God’s will meant that he would make the best of being here.
    Daniel certainly didn’t seem to need Jacob’s help, but he still put him to work. Jacob didn’t have any idea why God would have sent him here. Unless it was to prompt him and Susie to break up. God must be on Daed’s side.
    Jacob held back a sigh.
    He still wanted to cheer Becky up so she could find a husband, but so far, that project had been like ramming his shoulder into the side of a barn. Not one bit