Chapter 22
Junior hadn’t expected his brother to be any different since the last time they’d seen each other. He wasn’t. With a confidence that he didn’t even try to hide, he’d walked through the door to Junior’s office like he’d owned the place.
When Junior was in a bad mood, he’d sometimes be sure that Sam thought he did own a portion of Walden Wax Works.
His brother often took on foolhardy notions that made no sense like other folks collected souvenirs at a truck stop.
He’d done that once with a drinking problem that he’d blamed on their childhood, a gambling habit that he still couldn’t seem to kick, and an assortment of other chips on his shoulders that he believed were the fault of Sam, his teachers, and their parents’ deaths.
“Boy, it’s been a long time, John,” he said after they hugged hello. “How long? Two months?”
“Pretty sure it’s more like four.”
“Too long, then. How are you?”
“I’ve been well.”
“Good.” Something in Sam’s eyes flickered, but Junior wasn’t sure if it was regret or relief. With Sam, one could never be sure. “Thanks for letting me come right over.”
“You never need to worry about that. We’re brothers.”
“Right.” Sam took a deep breath, then glanced Elizabeth. Again.
When he turned her way, Junior fought the urge to step in front of Elizabeth. It was shocking. He seemed to have had a dormant protective streak. He wanted to shield her from everything that his brother had become.
But Junior knew one thing that his brother did not—Sam Lambright was no match for Elizabeth Schrock. Curious to know more about her, he’d gotten on the internet the other day and looked her up. He’d spied her professional photo and saw more than a few photographs of her holding awards.
And, because he had been both impressed and amused, he’d gone ahead and read a bunch of her clients’ words and recommendations. Almost every one of them mentioned how smart, assertive, and driven she was. Elizabeth was impressive in more ways than one.
Sam had no idea who he’d just set his sights on.
“Now who might you be?” he said with a smile.
Elizabeth smiled back at him. “I’m Beth. And you are Junior’s brother.”
“I am.” He leaned closer and held out his hand. “My name is Sam. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same.” Elizabeth smiled. She did not hold out her hand.
Some of Sam’s smile lost its shine. “Do you not shake hands?”
“I do. Just not all the time.”
“Why? Are you Amish or English?” He blatantly looked over her hair, face, dress.
Junior was tempted to step in, but he feared he’d only make things worse. Instead, he focused on how smart people said she could be.
She didn’t disappoint. After a few seconds, she lifted her chin. “I’m English, but I’m thinking about being Amish.”
“No way. Really?”
“Really.”
“Let me save you the trouble,” he said in a much harder tone. “You do not want to be Amish. There are a ton of rules.”
“Since we are strangers, I don’t believe you know what I want.”
Samual drew back in surprise. “Boy. There’s some fire to ya, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
Junior couldn’t help it. He started laughing.
Obviously stung by both Beth’s dismissal and Junior’s laughter, Sam turned to him. At last. “What’s so funny?”
“You are. After calling to say you need to come right over, you flirt with my receptionist and then focus on one of my employees. Then, after she holds her own against your questioning, you act shocked. All in all, I’d say that’s pretty funny.”
Sam looked down at his feet. “You might be right. But in my defense . . . Cherry flirts with everyone.”
Since he wasn’t wrong, Junior chuckled again. “It’s good to see you, bruder. You’re looking well.”
“You are, too.” He glanced in Elizabeth’s direction. “It was a surprise to see another desk in here. What is Beth doing for you?”
“Beth is helping me out with some paperwork and my ledgers.”
“Okay . . . but I don’t understand why she’s sharing your office. Wait, is she your girl?”
“Nee.” Glancing at Elizabeth, he grinned again. “And, just to let you know, she can both hear you and speak for herself.”
Looking annoyed, Sam turned to her again. “Beth, would you mind taking a five-or ten-minute break outside of this room?” When she didn’t rush to her feet, his voice hardened. “Please?”
Elizabeth glanced his way. When Junior shook his head, she replied, “Sorry, but I’ve got a lot to do. But don’t mind me. I won’t interrupt and I’ll pretend I don’t understand a word you say.”
“She’s very cheeky, Junior.”
“I know. It takes some getting used to.” He waved a hand. “Have a seat.”
When Samuel sat down, he looked far less sure of himself. It was odd to see, but Junior wasn’t going to complain about that. For too long he’d felt as if he’d been at his brother’s beck and call while Samuel did whatever he wanted.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, I’ve been having some difficulties.”
“Of what sort? Are you ill?”
“Nee. No. Nothing like that.” After glancing at Elizabeth yet again, his brother seemed to make up his mind. “They are of a financial nature.”
“Oh.”
“I need you to give me a loan, Junior.”
“For what?”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “For living.”
“I thought you were sharing an apartment with two other guys in Millersburg.”
“Yeah, well, that didn’t work out. I moved somewhere else, but it’s nowhere that you would know. It’s in the city, since I’m English now.”
“What city are you talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
“That ain’t none of your business.”
“Samuel, don’t snap at Elizabeth.”
“I don’t mind if he snaps,” she said, almost looking amused. “Especially since he is right. Your conversation is none of my business. But if the city is Cleveland, I would be interested. Until recently I was a Realtor there.”
“You sold real estate?”
“Yes.”
Junior smiled. “She was very successful.”
Beth looked his way. “How did you know that?”
“I might have looked you up.” When she flushed with happiness, he felt an answering response deep in his gut. It was a fact. He wasn’t going to be able to deny it any longer. He liked Elizabeth. A lot.
Sam’s scoff brought Junior’s attention back to him. “If you did that well in real estate, I don’t know why you’re working here . . . or thinking about being Amish. No Amish woman is gonna be a real-estate agent.”
“Well, I’m not so sure I want to sell real estate anymore. But, I will say that I know plenty of Amish women who would do just fine in the profession.”
“Hmm.” Turning back to Junior, he lowered his voice. “Listen, as entertaining as sparring with Beth is, I really just came for a favor.”
“How much do you need?”
“Not much. Maybe a couple of grand?”
Junior was floored. Both by the amount and by the brazen way Sam had stopped by to ask for it. “You need several thousand dollars?”
“I do.” All traces of any humor left his expression. “It’s important.”
“I’m not going to give you anything until I know why you need such a big sum.”
“I don’t know why that’s the difference.”
“You know why.”
As they stared at each other, Junior knew that Sam was only going through the motions.
He was waiting for him to bail him out. Just like always.
And, because Sam usually irritated him and made him feel guilty at the same time, Junior knew he did it because he felt sorry for him. And so he would leave him alone.
But he could practically feel Beth’s irritation with Sam through the room. She didn’t want him to give his brother any help. Which made him realize that he’d been letting his brother off—and maybe himself—too easily. And for too long. “What are you doing now, bruder?”
“I . . . I’m between jobs at the moment.”
“So you need work?”
“No. I’ll find it. I just need something to get me through.”
“Junior, wasn’t Raymond just telling you that he was shorthanded on the line?” Beth asked.
“He was. Two of my men are out.”
“Well, there you go.” Beth smiled.
Sam erupted as he jumped to his feet. “Junior, no. I didn’t come here to ask for a job.”
“Why can’t you work here?”
“Beyond the fact that I don’t want to . . . I have obligations.”
“Do you owe someone money?” he asked.
“Yes,” he bit out.
“Who?”
“No one you know.”
“I’m sure I don’t. But if you’re asking for funds, then I think I deserve to hear the truth.”
“You’ve never asked for all the details before.” Looking a little like a feral cat stuck in a corner, Sam’s voice rose. “Where is this coming from? From her?”
“That is enough, Samuel. You may not come in here and disparage my employees. Now, do you want to go work on the line or not?”
“I can’t believe you would make me do that. We’re family.”
“Jah, we are.” Standing up, he made his decision. “And because we’re family, I think it’s time I made you grow up. Either ask Eli and Rhoda if you can move in with them and work here to replenish your bank account . . . or leave.”
“I cannot go back without that money, Junior.” Standing up, he walked to his side. “Come on. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what you told me in the past. So, today I’m going to tell you the same thing. I wouldn’t refuse you if I didn’t think it was important as well.”
He closed his eyes. “How about I live with you?”
“Nee.”
“Why? Is she living with you?”
An anger he didn’t know he could feel threatened to overtake him. “Don’t disrespect her like that.”
“Oh, please. She’s a grown woman. Not a scared, sheltered girl.”
Before he could throw Samuel out, Elizabeth jumped in.
“I’m not living with your brother. But if I was, I sure wouldn’t let you live there, too.”
“You’re mighty tough talking for an almost-Amish girl.”
“First, I think there are plenty of Amish women who could hold their own with you. Secondly, you’re going to have to try harder to put me down than ask if I’m living at your brother’s haus.
” After a pause, she said, “But if you do decide to disparage me, let me warn you about something. I grew up with two brothers and a sister. I’m used to arguing with them.
” With a hint of a smile, she added, “I’m also used to winning. ”
Junior couldn’t help it. He started laughing. “Remind me to have you by my side if I ever get in a bar fight.”
Giggling as well, she reached out to fist-bump him. “Don’t worry. I’ll have your back.”
Samuel, who’d been watching their interplay like he was watching a tennis match, strode toward the door. “You’ve changed, Junior.”
“If you think that I have because I’ve no longer been your carpet to walk on, then that’s a good thing.” Just as he was about to leave, his conscience prevailed. “Hey, Sam?”
“Jah?”
“If you decide to take me up on my offer, it’s still good. It will be good whenever you need it.”
“That’s not an offer, John. It’s blackmail. I don’t need any more of that in my life.”
When he walked down the hall, Junior sat down behind his desk. Instead of feeling triumphant, he was embarrassed and ashamed. He should have handled that better. He knew he should have.
“Sorry you had to witness that, Elizabeth.”
“I’m sorry I got all bulldog-like and weighed in. Sam was right. Your conversation wasn’t any of my business.”
“Just curious. Why did you? Sam isn’t the easiest person to be around on his best days.”
“I don’t know. Maybe because it felt like someone should?
All my life I’ve had my brothers and Kelsey.
My grandparents and parents, too, of course.
But the four of us are close. Sometimes I feel that if Kelsey got a cut on her leg, I’d bleed, too.
I hated the idea of you having to face your silly brother all by yourself. ”
“I guess Samuel is acting kind of silly.”
“I think so. Maybe destructive, too? All I do know is that I’d rather he not bring you down with him in front of me.”
“I appreciate that. Thanks.”
“Like I said earlier, I’ve got your back.”
He’d never thought that his future partner in life would be someone who would have his back. He’d assumed that she’d be one more person in his life that he needed to look after. To be his priority.
But now, when he thought about a companion . . . No, a wife. A partner.
Yes, he definitely needed someone like Beth.
No, he wanted Beth.
It seemed from time to time he needed to be taken care of, too.