Chapter 31
Kyle had hugged her. He’d wrapped his arms around her, held her close, and against her better judgment she’d relaxed against him.
It had been nothing like the hugs she’d received from her two older brothers.
The way he’d held her had felt more personal for some reason.
No, it had felt like he’d thought she was special. Cherished, maybe.
And then there was the kiss. He’d kissed her temple. Sure, it was chaste. And quick. It was very much like the kisses Ben and Lukas gave her from time to time. Nothing memorable.
Except that it was.
Quickly, Daisy washed her hands. Pressed them to her cheeks while they were still damp. Attempted to stop being so moony.
She was loved by her family but she was certainly not cherished by Kyle.
Even the thought of him feeling that way about her was ridiculous. He liked Winter. No, he was courting Winter.
Plus, she’d never been the type of woman who men sought to cherish. The cold, awful truth was that this was her first hug from a man who she liked.
So it meant something to her, but had likely not meant anything to Kyle. She needed to remember that, or her heart was going to feel bruised.
Maybe even broken.
“Finally!” her father gruffed. “We’re so pleased you decided to join us, daughter.”
“I’m sorry you had to wait for me,” she mumbled as she moved to her seat. She gave Lukas a grateful smile when he held her chair out for her and pushed her in, then set her crutch against the wall.
“Let us bow our heads and give thanks,” Daed said.
Daisy felt her insides tighten. Her father seemed really mad at her. Was it just because he was hungry and she’d made him wait for his supper?
Forcing herself to clear her head, she quickly gave thanks for the food and her family. When she raised her head, her mother picked up a bowl of noodles and passed them to one of her brothers. She picked up the roasted zucchini, took a portion, and then passed it on.
And so it continued as everyone’s plates were full of hamburger patties, noodles, zucchini, corn and pepper casserole, and hot rolls. “This looks wonderful, Mamm. Danke.”
“I hope you will enjoy it, dear.”
Daisy darted another look at her father. He still seemed out of sorts. Several years ago he’d had a bit of gout flare up in his toe. Maybe that was happening again?
After several minutes of silence, her father spoke. “I saw you outside hugging Kyle Hostetler, daughter.”
“Oh?” It was more like “oh, no.” Obviously, her father’s toe was just fine. She was the one who’d sparked his temper to flare up.
Across the table, Ben was visibly fighting a smile.
“Oh? That is all you have to say?”
“Is ‘I’m sorry’ any better?”
Beside her, Lukas shook his head.
“I want to know why he was hugging you, Daisy.”
“I don’t know. I was asking him about what he really thought about my chicken swings and he told me that he thought I should do it.
He made it sound like it was a good idea and wouldn’t cost too much to try.
” She took a breath, hoping to convey how good it felt to hear that he believed in her.
“I was really grateful. I might even have been on the verge of tears. I think that’s why he decided to give me a hug.
” Starting to get a little irritated that her father was making such a big deal out of such a small act of kindness, Daisy added, “It didn’t last long and then he went home. ”
Her father didn’t look appeased.
“Daisy, why were you about to cry?” Mamm asked.
She put her fork down. “You know why. It’s been a hard couple of weeks.
” She waved a hand, correcting herself. “Nee, it’s been a difficult several months.
I’ve felt like a failure because not only was I not able to buy the Burkholders’ farm, I haven’t ever been courted, and I got fired from my job. ”
“And broke her leg,” Ben added under his breath.
“Still, you should have been more circumspect.”
“Mother, look at me. I’m twenty-four years old. I’ve never had a caller. Some of the girls I grew up with are not only married, but they have children at home. Who cares if the neighbor boy gives me a hug? What does it even matter?”
Her mother flushed. “Daisy.”
Feeling those stupid tears threaten yet again, Daisy shook her head. “Mamm, Daed, I’m trying to be the best version of me I can be, but I’m far from perfect and I deserve happiness, even if it’s just a reassuring hug. Please, don’t twist it. Don’t turn it into something bad, because it’s not.”
Her mother looked pained, but persevered.
“Daisy, I am sorry that you’ve been having such a hard time.
I know it’s been difficult for you.” Glancing at her father, she continued.
“We both know.” She took a deep breath. “However, I fear you are getting your head wrapped around things that aren’t real. ”
“I don’t understand.”
“Everyone in the community seems to think that Kyle has set his sights on Winter. There are even rumors that if they marry, her parents are going to give him the farm. It’s a gut opportunity for him. A once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“Jah. I would imagine it is.”
“And, as far as this henhouse swing goes … well, child, we’ve let you make things like this because we knew you were bored. But it would be a mistake to imagine that such a business, if it could ever be called a business, could be a success.”
“You don’t think so?” She was crushed.
“It’s just another dream that you shouldn’t waste your time on, child.” Her father looked regretful but firm. “Take that library assistant job and start staying away from Kyle. It will be better in the long run for you.”
He’d been so intent on crushing her dreams, Daisy was surprised she could still sit upright. Bitterness flowed through her, both because of his words and the worry that her parents were right.
Added to this was having to listen to it all while sitting at the dinner table with both of her brothers looking on. “Is there anything else you feel compelled to tell me?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Lukas blurted. When all four of them stared at him in surprise, he added, “Mamm, Daed, I love you both, but I think what you two just said is horrible. I’m ashamed of you both.”
Ben tossed his napkin on the table and stood up.
“I am, as well. Don’t ever tell my little sister again that she doesn’t stand a chance against a piece of land.
” Turning to her, he said, “I know what I saw an hour ago, and the way Kyle looked at you had nothing to do with mere friendship. It’s obvious that he likes you, Daisy. ”
“I agree,” Lukas said as he also got to his feet. “Not only was Kyle staring at you like you were the world, but I know he wouldn’t marry anyone just to get his hands on some land.”
“You don’t know—”
“He’s a capable sort, Daed. He cares for his sister. He stopped on the side of the road to make sure Daisy received help. He’s brought her flowers and he’s checked on her time and again. He likes her. They’re friends.”
He took a breath. “And if, for some reason, Kyle decides that it’s Winter that he wants to marry, it’s going to be because he loves her. But last I heard, it was possible to be friends with one woman and in love with another.”
Lukas reached down for Daisy’s hand. “Come on, D. You don’t need to sit here any longer tonight.”
“Children, you can’t just get up and leave,” Mamm said.
Ben shook his head. “That’s the thing, Mamm. None of us have been children for years. And I can promise you this, Daisy is going to make a success of her hen swing. I know it. And I hope she will still be talking to you when you decide to apologize.”
“Daisy, are you coming?”
She looked from her mother’s stricken expression to their father’s irate one. As shocked as she was, she was positive that staying put after her brothers left was a bad idea.
“Jah,” she said as she took his hand.
Ben wrapped his arm around her shoulders while Lukas picked up her crutch and helped her put it under her opposite arm. And then the three of them walked out of the dining room and into the entryway.
“Where are we going?” she whispered.
“We’re going for a drive,” he said. “I’ve got my wallet and my keys in my pocket. Let’s get out of here.”
It wasn’t until the three of them were in Ben’s vehicle and onto the main road, that everything that her brothers said sunk in. “I can’t believe you two defended me like that.”
“If you’re surprised, then I guess I need to tell you those things more often. You are going to be just fine, Daisy.”
“Ben’s right,” Lukas said. “One day you’re going to fall in love with a good man, you’re going to live the life you want, and everything that’s just happened is going to make sense.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am. No matter what, I’m going to make sure of it.”