CHAPTER 4
I t was half-past six in the morning, and Jonny’s sudden appearance had scared her half to death.
He was also laughing at her reaction, which Treva didn’t think was very nice. She couldn’t fault his laughter too much. She’d probably jumped a foot in the air.
“How about you announce yourself next time?” she chided, though she knew it made no sense. She had a business, and the barn door had not only been slid open, but all the propane-powered lights also were on.
His eyes flared. “Okay, if that’s what you want,” he murmured as he walked toward her.
She was acting like a shrew. “It isn’t. I’m sorry for snapping at you. Please ignore me.”
He studied her face. “Are you all right, Treva?”
“I’m fine.” She rubbed her head. It smarted, though she hadn’t actually hit it very hard against the shelf she’d been under when he’d appeared next to her feet. “I’ll survive.”
And just like that, the last bit of humor in his expression evaporated. Striding to the opening on the side of the counter, Jonny reached for her. “I’m sorry,” he said in a gentle tone as he cupped both of his hands around her arms. “I truly did think you’d heard me walk inside. I promise, I wouldn’t have laughed if I had thought you were actually hurt. Would you like me to look at it? Do you have a bump on your head?”
“I don’t think so.”
His blue eyes peered at her a moment. Then, before she even knew what he was about, he reached for the pin on her kapp . “I think we better check.”
Shocked, she drew back. “You canna take off my kapp !”
“Um, sure I can. I’ll hand you the pin and look at your head real quick. After we make sure you’re none the worse for wear, you can put it back on.”
He was making it sound like it was no different than examining a hurt finger. She thought differently. “I think not.”
He frowned. “I’m not trying to do anything weird. I have a sister who’s now Amish. I’m familiar with kapps .”
Jonny really was being sincere. Which made her reticence feel more foolish. “It’s not that I think you are being . . . weird. It’s more the fact that my head feels fine now.” She wasn’t lying, either. It almost did feel okay.
Taking a step back, he nodded. “Understood.”
Smiling at him more softly, she said, “I think my pride is more injured than anything.”
“There’s no reason for you to be ashamed of hitting your head. I am sorry I scared you. It was wrong of me not to announce myself. Like I told you earlier, I thought you heard me come in.”
“I didn’t expect you to be here so early.” And there it was. She’d now made it obvious that she took note of when he was there. “Um, I mean, most people don’t usually walk in until after seven.” She felt her face heat up as she prepared for him to tease her about that, too.
He was still studying her. “I got up early to help my grandma with the eggs. I had intended to help her with some washing, but she shooed me away.” Sounding aggrieved, he added, “Mommi told me that she was not too old to carry a load of clothes out to the line.”
“That sounds like Sylvia.” Treva didn’t know her well, but she knew enough about the woman to know that she was full of pride and still able-bodied.
Still standing so close that she could smell the hint of soap on his skin, Jonny continued. “When I left the farm, I couldn’t handle going to the bike shop before seven.”
“Why is that?”
“Someone would show up.”
She wasn’t following him. Studying his face, she noticed that he had a faint scar near his lip and yet again had scruff on his cheeks. “And the problem is . . . what?”
“That the shop actually has business hours. I’ve been ignoring them because I like being there, but I’ve started to think that maybe there are other, better ways to be spending my free time than working ten hours a day.”
Ten hours was too much, though she was pretty sure she put in that many hours from time to time, as well. “That’s a dilemma.”
“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. I don’t know. Things have been a little crazy in my life. I’ve started to think that I worry about all the wrong things.”
“Or you’d simply like to have more free time?” she hinted. After all, she was beginning to think the very same thing.
“Yeah. Maybe that, too.” He smiled.
“Perhaps you need to adjust your hours? You know, open later and close earlier? Or even close in the middle of the day for a spell?”
“Maybe. I’ll ask Alan.” He continued to gaze at her, no longer looking for bumps or bruises but seeming to be fixated on her lips. For one moment—or maybe it was only five seconds—her breath caught. Then he seemed to realize that he still had one of his hands on her arm and was standing mere inches from her.
He stepped back. “So, um, you’re sure that you are all right?”
“ Jah .”
He walked back around to the front. “When you’re ready, I’ll be needing a coffee.”
“I’m ready. Unless you’d like to try one of my scones or other treats?”
“No thanks. Just coffee will do me.”
She nodded. Just before she turned away, Treva caught a look on his face as he stared at the three containers of freshly made baked goods. He was looking at them with such a look of distaste, it brought forth yet another wave of insecurity through her.
What was going on? Did he just not like bakery goods, or was it something more personal? Also, why was she feeling a little offended that he didn’t want to ever try at least one?
Shaking off the thoughts, which didn’t make any sense, she pinned a smile on her face. “What would you like to drink this morning?”
“A large latte with almond milk.”
“Okay.”
She got to work on his drink, thinking that he wasn’t the only customer who seemed to be enjoying fake milk. But after his first visit, he was the one who never wavered.
“Are you unable to have dairy products?”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, I was curious about your liking for almond milk. I thought maybe you were allergic to dairy products or something.” Yet again, she was wondering why she was so attuned to him.
“I’m not allergic to dairy.”
“Ah.” Of course, the moment she spoke, she wished she’d kept her mouth shut. Why was she acting like she understood when she didn’t? Furthermore, why did his preferences even matter?
They didn’t.
Well, they shouldn’t.
After frothing the almond milk, she added a nice foam topping, carefully put on the lid, and handed the cup to him. “Here you go. I hope you have a nice day.”
“Thanks.” He pulled out six dollars from his pocket and set them on the counter. Once again, giving her a tip in addition to the price.
She took the money. “Thanks.”
But instead of quickly moving away, he took a sip of his drink and then kind of leaned against the counter. Like he had all the time in the day. “So, what do you do when you aren’t serving coffee or baking?”
“I help out on the farm.”
“And what else?”
He was staring at her in such a way that she wished she had a better answer than she did. But she didn’t. “I sleep, I suppose.” And yes, she was starting to wish she was a lot more interesting.
By now she knew enough about him to realize that he was still English, was thinking about being Amish, and managed a bicycle shop. He also had a confidence about him that made her believe that he had even more important things hidden underneath the surface that she didn’t know about.
“That’s a shame.”
His gaze was kind, but that didn’t stop her from blushing. She hated feeling inadequate. “I’m not sure what you’re wishing I said.”
“I wasn’t wishing for you to say anything. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“Why?”
He fussed with the navy blue ball cap on his head. Took it off, pulled back the chunk of hair that had started to curl over his brow. Put it back on. “Well, you’re young. Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying life?”
“I am young, but I also have started my own business. I have more and more people coming in every week. I’m enjoying that.”
“Of course. You’re right. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. That was the last thing I intended.” He sipped his drink. “This is great. Just like last time.”
A little part of her deflated some more. For the first time since she’d started her business, she couldn’t care less about the quality of her coffee. “I’m pleased you are enjoying it. Have a good day.”
“Yeah.” He paused, then kind of thumped his hand on the counter. “You, too.”
Just as he walked out the door, Treva’s best friend, Emma Jane, appeared. “Hiya.” She directed a sweet smile Jonny’s way.
He stopped. “ Gut matin .”
“My name is Emma Jane. I think we met the other day at the deli?”
“I remember. You were buying turkey.”
“And you were buying roast beef.” She chuckled. “You are sounding more Amish with each passing day.”
Watching the exchange, Treva clenched her teeth. She couldn’t believe that Emma Jane had met Jonny and had never said a word!
And now, here he was, smiling at her in a bashful, adorable way—all while she was watching from behind a counter.
“Thanks, I think.”
Just as Jonny started to turn away, Emma Jane reached out and touched his arm. “How goes your bike shop?”
“It’s not mine. But it’s going well. You should come in sometime.”
“I might . . . but I’m not sure I need an electric bike.”
Treva felt her insides tighten. This conversation wouldn’t end—and Emma Jane was flirting with him! Though a part of her knew she should turn around and at least pretend to fuss with the espresso machine, she continued to watch.
Jonny’s beautiful blue eyes warmed. “I sell other things. Water bottles, packs for your bike, guidebooks.”
“Maybe I’ll surprise you one day and come inside.”
“I hope you will.” After flashing Emma Jane another smile, he sauntered out without sparing Treva another look.
Her stomach sank.
Emma Jane, to Treva’s dismay, didn’t come in right away. Instead, she remained where she was, no doubt just in case he wanted to speak to her some more.
Or perhaps, admire the way he looked getting on his bike.
Treva supposed she couldn’t blame the girl. After all, she was standing behind the counter doing pretty much the same thing. In fact, she’d just realized that if she tilted her head just so, she could watch Jonny slip on his helmet, then peddle off.
What did that say about her?
She wasn’t sure, but she had a feeling the description would involve words like desperate and infatuated .
“Treva, hi.”
“Hiya.” And yes, her voice was flat.
Emma Jane didn’t appear to notice. “So, this is the second time I’ve seen that handsome Jonny Schrock. What do you know about him?”
She hurriedly picked up a rag and began wiping down the already-clean counter. “Not too much.” Only now did she know his last name. Added to the list was that he liked almond milk and had a strange aversion to baked goods.
A sweet frown marred Emma Jane’s perfect brow. “That still doesn’t ring a bell. Is he related to Sylvia and Josiah Schrock?”
Treva knew Emma Jane was in a different church district than the Schrocks. “ Jah . I’m pretty sure he’s their grandson.” Actually, she knew that for a fact.
“And he works at Landen Bike Shop. For how long? Is this just a passing fancy?”
She didn’t know. Of course, she didn’t know, because all they ever talked about was his preferences for milk and snacks. And today’s bump on her head. She mentally rolled her eyes. No wonder he’d seemed so smitten by Emma Jane!
“I have no idea what his long range plans are, Em. You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”
“I will. Alan Wilson owns the bike shop, right?”
“I think so. We haven’t talked about that.”
Emma Jane blinked before staring at her hard. One long look telling a whole story. “Treva.”
And . . . there came her awkward blush again. When was she ever going to get over Reuben and feel good about herself again? “Em, would you like a coffee?”
“ Jah , but in a minute.” Still looking thoughtful, she glanced back out the window before facing Treva again. “Wait. Did he have a sister who married a preacher and turned Amish?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Come on. You’ve got to remember all those goings-on as much as I do. Remember how they had their grandchildren living with them, and the woman ended up turning Amish and marrying the preacher, Richard Miller?”
“Kind of.”
But not really. The Amish community in Holmes County was a large one. Not only were there more than forty thousand Amish in the population, but there also were many different denominations of Amish. Conservative like the Swartzentruber Amish all the way to the most liberal Beachy Amish. In addition, each group was divided into several church districts. All that meant that it was impossible to know everyone who wore a kapp or drove a buggy.
Or rode an electric bicycle, it seemed.
“How do you know so much about them, Emma Jane?”
Looking embarrassed, she said, “My sister. She had her heart set on Richard Miller for a while—especially after he’d been asked to join the lot. She told me all the gossip about Kelsey Schrock and her family.”
“Oh.”
“I know. Her interest in Richard bordered on infatuation. It didn’t serve her well.”
“Hmm.” Knowing that she’d likely save that thought for another day, Treva picked up a mug. “How about that coffee now?”
“Danke. I’ll take a caramel coffee. Iced. To go.”
“You got it. Want any treats?”
“I better not. My waistline is starting to look a little wide, I think.”
“I doubt that. You are as pretty as ever.”
Emma Jane’s cheeks bloomed. “Thank you, Treva. You are looking well, too.”
Treva smiled at her longtime friend while she waited for the shot of coffee to dispense. Then thought of something else.
“What happened with your sister?”
“What do you mean?”
“Has she found another man yet?”
Emma Jane shook her head. “Unfortunately, nee . She’s broken up about it, too. And frustrated, if you want to know the truth.”
“Why’s she frustrated?”
“Well, she keeps saying yes to dates or to men who come calling. But within ten or fifteen minutes, she knows that nothing good is going to come of them meeting each other. The good ones are hard to find, you know.”
Treva did know that. Not wanting to dwell on her own past, she attempted to put a positive spin on things. “I bet one of these days she’ll feel differently. There are still a lot of good men around, you know.”
“Are there, though?” Looking a little bitter, Emma Jane added, “Forgive me, but a lot of the good ones get snapped up too early. I wish I had realized that back when I was fifteen. I would’ve tried harder to catch Aaron.”
Even though Treva usually tried to watch her words, she couldn’t prevent a dose of plain speaking. “Aaron isn’t much of a catch, Emma Jane.”
Her lips turned into a sweet frown. “Sure he is. He’s well off and has a nice house.”
“He also doesn’t shower regularly.” Maybe a lot of people didn’t, but Aaron really was a person who should.
She pulled in her bottom lip. “I reckon that would be a problem.”
“More than a problem, I’d imagine.”
“Maybe I’d get used to it?”
Stirring a generous amount of caramel into Emma Jane’s drink, Treva chuckled. “You can’t be serious.”
“Of course I am. You’re oblivious to it because you had Reuben.”
And just like that, reality returned as she was reminded about what she’d lost. “Hmm.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t very kind of me to bring up.”
“There’s no reason to apologize for the truth. It’s the truth. I did have Reuben for a while.”
But then he jumped the fence for an English girl who drove a red convertible.
He never looked back, at least not at Treva.
Though, sometimes when she was feeling especially thoughtful, Treva found herself wondering if he’d left her for the pretty Englisher or the fancy red car.
She still wasn’t sure which had been more enticing. It didn’t matter, though. All she’d ever cared about was that she hadn’t been reason enough for him to stay.