For a heartbeat she couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. Her eyes studied his familiar face hungrily. What was he doing here?
She finally found her tongue and stepped forward. “Mamm, Rhoda, this is Seth Beiler, the man whose home I managed while I was away. Seth, this is my mamm Verena and my bruder’s wife Rhoda.”
Then, as the men arrived, she continued the introductions. “And this is my daed Joseph and bruder Paul.” How could her voice come out so coherently when her thoughts were ping-ponging in competition with the dragonflies darting in her stomach.
After the greetings were exchanged her daed crossed his arms and drew himself up. “You are most welcome to our home. But may I ask why you’re here?”
She wanted to hug her daed for asking the question she hadn’t been able to form.
“I have some unfinished business that I need to discuss with Phoebe.”
What did he mean by “unfinished business”? Was there something she’d left undone? Had he really come all this way on a matter of business?
Daed frowned. “Phoebe told us she’s decided not to return to Sweetbrier Creek. If you’ve come to try to convince her otherwise—”
Seth held up his hands. “I just want to give her something that she left behind and to tell her something I forgot to say before she left.”
She’d left something behind?
Mamm stepped in. “Of course. Phoebe, why don’t you show Seth that new calf that was born yesterday.” She turned back to Seth. “We named her Holly in honor of her being born the day after Christmas.”
Phoebe just stood there a moment, her mind frantically trying to think of a way to refuse without appearing rude. It wasn’t fair of him to just show up like this without giving her time to prepare. If she was alone with him right now she wasn’t sure she could keep her feelings hidden.
Then she realized everyone was watching her and she forced a smile. “Of course.” What else could she say?
She turned to Seth. “If you’re interested, that is.”
Seth gave her an encouraging smile. “I find I’m very interested.”
Something about the way he was looking at her stirred up those dragonflies again. “Very well. The barn is this way.” She moved forward, not waiting to see if he’d follow.
Seth fell into step beside her.
She waited for him to say something, anything to explain why he was really here. But he remained silent, matching her step for step.
Finally she broke the silence. “How are your brieder doing?”
“They are well. They really liked the gifts you left for us. As did I.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “I’m so glad.”
“But they miss having you there with us.”
“I miss them, too, but it’s for the best. Did you all enjoy having Christmas luncheon with Hilda and her familye?”
“It was gut. Very crowded but it’s wunderbaar to be together for such a special day, ain’t so?”
“Jah. And is Fannie enjoying her stay in Sweetbrier Creek?”
He cut her a probing look. “She seems to be enjoying her stay, even though we came to the mutual agreement that we won’t suit.”
Phoebe almost missed a step as something fluttered in her chest. “I know you must be disappointed,” she said carefully. “But I’m sure you’ll find the right person soon.” She ached to add, If only that could be me.
“I think you’re right. Or at least I hope so.”
The cheerful way he said that was painful to hear. She’d prefer not to draw this out. “So why exactly are you here?”
Instead of answering, he handed her the bag. “This is for you.”
Was this the item he’d mentioned earlier? “I don’t think I left anything behind.”
Seth smiled, resisting the urge to tuck that stray wisp of hair at her temple back under her kapp. Instead he ushered her into the barn, out of the wind. “Actually I was going to give this to you when you came back to Sweetbrier Creek but since you’ve decided not to return I figured I’d deliver it in person.”
She gave him an uncertain look, then accepted the bag.
While she opened it he continued. “That origami piece you made for me was wunderbaar.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
Phoebe finally got through the wrapping and lifted out her gift—a hand-carved rosewood box.
She inhaled a delighted breath. “It’s beautiful.” She used a finger to trace the dragonfly and cattail he’d carved on the lid, a soft smile on her lips. Then she looked up and met his gaze. “You made this?”
“I did the carving, but each of my brieder helped.” He shrugged. “I thought perhaps you could keep the tools you use for your papercraft in it.” His gaze intensified. “Just as you use your origami and scissor work to create things of incredible beauty, I wanted you to have something that in some small way reflects the beauty and spirit you brought into our lives these past few weeks.”
Phoebe’s eyes shimmered with some strong emotion. “Danke, for both the beautiful box and the beautiful words.” Then she carefully set her gift on a hay bale and raised a brow. “You said there was something you wanted to tell me?”
So she wasn’t ready to completely thaw toward him yet. “First, I need to apologize. I mean really apologize.”
