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on how your ma’s coming and let them know our plans.”
    The round-brimmed straw hat bobbed up and down as he nodded, and then Jonas followed the blacksmith out the back door in the direction of the stable.
    When Luke entered the general store, he found Mrs. Switzer standing before a counter full of cans and packages, chatting with the storekeeper as though they were neighbors. Her pleasant expression took him by surprise. So, maybe it was him she didn’t like.
    Emma and Rebecca stood at the far wall, fingering a bolt of fabric. From a side view, he saw that those black dresses weren’t really as shapeless as he’d first thought. True, the white apron added a layer of bulk, but at this angle he had a fine view of Emma’s trim waist, and nothing could hide her soft, womanly curves. When she looked up and caught sight of him, a pretty blush rose on her high cheeks, and she quickly lowered her eyes.
    The old woman, on the other hand, didn’t bother to hide a scowl.
    “I have good news,” he announced. “The blacksmith told us of some oxen for sale not far from here. Jonas and I are heading over there to see them. We’ll be back as soon as we can, and you should be on your way by early afternoon.”
    He sincerely hoped they would all be on their way by then.
    “Papa was right!” Rebecca clapped her hands, her eyes dancing. Then she sobered. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carson. I didn’t mean to point out your wrongfulness.”
    Emma gasped.
    He grinned. “I know enough to admit defeat when I see it, little lady, and I won’t doubt the Lord’s provisions again, especially when claimed by a godly man. But please call me Luke.” His gaze slid to Emma’s. “All of you.”
    She turned her back on him to focus on the bolt of fabric again, but not before he caught a smile and the deepening of her blush.
    Mrs. Switzer drew in a breath that seemed to inflate her body to double its height. She glanced toward Emma and then speared him with a sharp gaze. “ Danki for your help. We’re in your debt, Mr. Carson .”
    Her meaning was unmistakable. No familiarities would be welcome from this old woman. And she wouldn’t tolerate any with her granddaughter either.
    The shopkeeper, a jovial man with a girth almost as wide as the blacksmith’s, though without the benefit of muscle, gestured toward the goods piled on the counter. “These ladies have made good use of the time and my inventory. Though this one drives a hard bargain, I can tell you that. She’ll rob me of a profit today.” His grin belied his words.
    Though he’d like nothing better than to stay and try to tempt another smile from Emma, Luke felt a tug of impatience to get this goodwill task accomplished and get back to his herd. “Keep a careful record, if you will. I’ll settle up when we return. And I’d appreciate it if you can have the goods packed and ready to load so we can be on our way quickly.” Moved by a spontaneous thought, he strode forward and extracted three sticks of candy from a jar on the shelf. “Add these to the total.”
    When he handed Rebecca hers, she giggled and dipped in a quick curtsey. “ Danki .”
    He ducked his head to catch Emma’s eye and held out the treat. She kept her head bowed and partially turned away, but she gave him a brief glimpse of those lovely blue eyes. Her fingers brushed his as she took his offering. Was the contact an accident or on purpose? He decided to believe the latter when she replied with a quiet, “ Danki , Luke.”
    Rebecca giggled again, and Mrs. Switzer’s scowl gained new depths. When Luke offered her the third stick of candy, her lips pressed together and her nose wrinkled as though it smelled like stinky cheese gone bad.
    With a shrug, he stuck the stick candy into his mouth, tipped his hat in her direction, and exited the store.



SEVEN

     
    T hose two over there are a fine pair.” Old man Weaver pointed a gnarled finger at a couple of oxen standing near the barn.
    “They look good to me,”