A Hope Springs Christmas. Patricia Davids

      “Take it home with you,” he snapped abruptly.

      He shut his mouth in horror. He’d never spoken harshly to anyone.

      Sarah stared at him for the longest moment and then chuckled with delight. “You are so amusing, Levi. And Grace told me you don’t have a sense of humor. Take it home with me, how funny. I’ll find where it goes. You get back to work and pretend I’m not even here.”

      Like that was possible. He turned away before he said something he would surely regret.

      She kept dusting. “I’ll have this cleaned up in no time. I remember how to do inventory, too. It won’t be long before the end of the year. Might as well get a jump on it. I’ll start on that when I’m done with this.”

      “No need.” Inventory would take days. Days with Sarah underfoot wasn’t something he wanted to endure. He needed to be able to concentrate. She didn’t take the hint.

      “I don’t mind. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy being out here. Don’t you love the smell of leather and wood? It’s comforting knowing that each piece on the walls around me has a place and a function. I’m glad I told Grace I would help. This place could use some sprucing up, though.”

      Jonas had often said that Sarah had a one-track mind when she wanted to do something. Levi didn’t know how true that statement was until three hours later when she was using a long-handled broom and an overturned bucket to reach cobwebs that had hung from the rafters longer than she had been alive.

      Unless he took her by the arm, led her to the door and locked it behind her, he was going to be stuck with Sarah until Grace returned.

      Please, Lord, let Grace’s visit be a short one.

      Levi drew a deep breath. It was almost lunchtime, and he hadn’t gotten nearly enough done. His eyes were constantly drawn to where Sarah was working.

      He had orders to fill and much to do in the coming weeks. When there was snow on the ground, many Amish families brought their farm wagons and buggies in to be repaired while they used their sleighs. With Christmas less than a month away, he was sure to get swamped with work soon.

      Moving to the carriage body he was working on, he studied the list of accessories Grace had written out for him to add. The buggy was for Daniel Hershberger’s new bride. The well-to-do businessman was sparing no expense for his wife’s buggy. As Levi marked out the wood for the extra-sturdy seats to be added, Sarah began humming a hymn. After a few bars, she began singing softly. She had a lovely voice, soothing and sweet.

      Levi gripped his handsaw and drew it back and forth across the board. The sound blocked Sarah’s voice and he stopped.

      She must have noticed because she asked, “Does my singing bother you?”

      He looked toward her and found her watching him intently. “Nee, it’s nice.”

      She gave him a sweet smile and went back to work, humming as she did so. Maybe having her around for a few weeks wouldn’t be so bad after all.

      The outside door opened and Henry Zook walked in. He nodded to Sarah and crossed the room to stand in front of Levi. “I must speak with Grace. Is she about?”

      Levi could feel his throat growing tight. This was not a conversation he wanted to have. He cast a speaking glance at Sarah. This was her doing. She would have to make it right.

      Chapter Four

      Sarah caught the look Levi darted at her. It was imploring, half-accusing. He clearly wanted her to take over the conversation with Henry. Instead, she retreated to his small office to give the men some privacy.

      Yes, it was her fault that Grace had left town so quickly, but Levi needed his eyes opened to exactly how serious Henry was about Grace.

      The office had four walls but no ceiling to separate it from the rest of the building. She had no trouble hearing their conversation.

      “Please, Levi, I must to speak to Grace. It’s important.”

      “You can’t.” Levi’s reply was barely audible.

      “What do you mean, I can’t?”

      “She’s gone.”

      “Gone? Gone where?” Henry demanded.

      “She took off with her handsome English boyfriend early this morning.” A new voice entered the conversation.

      “Ja, he was driving a fine red car.”

      Sarah was so startled to hear the voices of the twins that she leaned around the doorway to see where they were. She hadn’t heard them come in. How long had they been inside?

      “Yup, bright red his car was,” Atlee agreed with his brother. “Took off with the tires throwing gravel every which way. Grace didn’t look none too sad to be leaving this place.”

      They both sat on the seat of a wagon waiting for repairs with identical smirks on their faces. They elbowed each other with mirth.

      Poor Henry. He looked from Levi to the twins with growing disbelief. “Grace would not do such a thing.”

      The boys hooted with laughter. Moses said, “Proves you don’t know our sister as well as you think.”

      Why didn’t Levi say something? Sarah was ready to intervene when Levi spoke at last. “Enough!”

      The twins fell silent, but didn’t wipe the smiles off their faces. It was clear they didn’t think much of their sister’s suitor.

      “Grace went to visit our grandmother.” Levi walked away from Henry as if the conversation was over.

      Henry wasn’t about to leave without more of an explanation. He followed Levi into the office, forcing Sarah to back into the corner. “Grace never mentioned going out of town for a visit. Has your grandmother taken ill?”

      “Nee,” Levi replied and pulled open a drawer to search for something. Sarah found herself stuck in the small room with both men for there wasn’t enough room to get past them. They both ignored her.

      Henry raked a hand through his thick blond hair. “Then I don’t understand. Why would she suddenly leave without letting me know? We had a disagreement, but I didn’t think she was that upset.”

      Levi jerked a thumb in Sarah’s direction. “Ask her.”

      Levi found the sheet of paper he was looking for and walked out of the office, leaving Sarah to face Henry alone. He waited for her to speak, confusion written across his face.

      Sarah squared her shoulders and indicated the empty chair beside the desk. “Henry, sit down.”

      He took a seat. “When is Grace coming back?”

      “I’m not sure when she’ll be back.”

      “But she will be back, right?” His eyes pleaded for confirmation.

      “Of course. She needs some time to think things over without feeling pressured.”

      He blew out a long breath. “I’m a nah. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.”

      Sarah smiled gently. “You are not a fool, Henry. You’re in love. You are impatient to be with her as a husband. That is only natural. Grace has many concerns, but she says that she loves you. If she is the woman God has chosen for you she is worth waiting for.”

      “I could accept that if I knew how long she wants me to wait. She won’t set a date.”

      He glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice.

      “I know she is worried that her family can’t manage without her. Can you convince her she has to start thinking about what is best for her?”

      “That’s exactly what she is doing. If you love her, you must trust her. I suggest you write her and