Finally, she sucked in a deep breath and swept past her biggest little brother. “Of course not, silly.”
Everyone had congregated in the sitting room, but she spotted Joseph in a moment. A head taller than even her father, he stood out in a crowd. She chewed her lower lip as she beheld the sight of him laughing and teasing with her mother.
His black felt special-occasion hat was clutched in one hand while the other was tucked securely in a pocket. Those ebony curls that never failed to grab her attention were slicked back and he wore his deep-green shirt, the one that matched her favorite dress. He was long, lean, and in Rebekah’s eyes, most beautiful.
“My mother and father took our food on to the festival,” he explained. “Do Rebekah and I need to take any of the pies for you?”
Samuel offered his hand to the younger man. “I appreciate the offer, but I believe we can handle those pies.”
Carefully, Joseph removed his hand from his pocket and shook Samuel’s hand. Quickly, he tucked it away again.
“Hallo.” Rebekah was aware that her voice was quiet, but Joseph took instant notice. He stepped through the throng of little brothers and joined her.
He’s so tall he could have stepped over the lot of them.
His eyes were especially blue as he offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
Her cheeks afire, Rebekah flitted a glance to Elnora, only her mother wasn’t looking at them. Instead, she shared a smile with Samuel. Together, they turned their attention to the young couple.
What is going on? Why so much secrecy tonight?
Following Joseph, mostly because she held his arm, they made their way out the front door.
Just before the door closed, Elnora’s voice met Rebekah’s ears. “We will see you there.”
Then, she and Joseph were alone.
***
The festival was a wonderful gathering of friends and family and, once he had gotten over his initial shyness or whatever had him so out of sorts, Joseph was a perfect gentleman. For Rebekah, being with him was as easy and natural as getting honey from a beehive. The few looks Katie tossed their way were easy enough to ignore. Still, it was no secret that the younger of the Knepp twins spent the evening wishing she had arrived on Joseph’s arm.
Rebekah twirled the clover thistle that Joseph picked for her on the way between her fingers. “Thank you for a lovely night.”
The evening of food, fun, and fellowship—and, of course, being near to Joseph—left her starry-eyed and a little giddy.
“I should be the one thanking you. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have had a soul to drink apple cider with.” He rubbed his belly with one hand. “And to share that last piece of your ma’s apple pie. If I had been forced to finish it all alone, my folks may well have had to roll me home.”
She dipped her head to sniff her thistle and to hide her smile. “Actually, Pa and I made the pies this year. Ma wasn’t feeling up to it yet.”
“I thought they tasted a little extra-cinnamony.” Joseph bent and scooped up a rock. “I must say, Rebekah, you certainly got all of her skill in the kitchen.” He flung the rock into the woods and it thunked against a tree. “All of it and then some.”
“You’re awfully complimentary tonight, Joseph Graber.”
He grinned. “Could you get used to it?”
“Maybe.”
Something bumped her hand. “Oh!”
“What is it?”
“Something bumped me.” She shuddered.
“Something like this?” Under the cover of darkness, Joseph’s hand bumped hers again. This time, though, his fingers twined around hers and linked them together.
A wave of shyness swept over her. Her hand trembled and her stomach knotted. How she’d dreamt of the day when he would take her hand in his or even brush against her. In her daydreams, it was always wonderful. But this moment left her daydreams all behind.
“Looks like your folks set the lanterns out for you,” Joseph observed. “It was a shame they had to leave the festival early.”
Though she wanted to respond and continue the jovial conversation with Joseph, who was obviously now her beau, she didn’t trust her own tongue just yet.
Indifferent to her lack of words, he continued. “I suppose Elnora didn’t want little Beanie Bull to catch a chill.” Finishing his theory as they reached the porch, he pulled her close, their hands still intertwined. His other hand was hidden in his far pocket. The lamplight glinted off his eyes and them appear to be nothing more than a sea of azure sparkles.
“Rebekah, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” The resolve in Joseph’s strong voice wavered. “It’s no secret—”
Something cracked from the understory. Joseph froze and both he and Rebekah swiveled their heads in the direction of the noise.
“Well, well, well. What have we here?” Slowly, Peter emerged from the woods.
Joseph squared his shoulders at the perceived threat. “Now’s not the appropriate time to come for your wagon.”
A sliver of ice slid down Rebekah’s backbone at Joseph’s tone. Had she been a man, she would have backed off. As things were, though, she felt that she was in awfully capable hands.
Peter leaned and spat as he stepped nearer to them. “I’m not here for the wagon right now. I’m not here for you neither.” His spurs jangled, and a swift breeze blew back his duster to reveal the shiny pistols that hung there.
Joseph slipped his hand from Rebekah’s, which had grown suddenly sweaty. She linked hers behind her back and shrank behind him.
“Then I don’t see as you have any business here at this hour at all.” Had Joseph been a cat, his tail would have been bottle-brushy.
Peter ignored him and shifted his steely stare to Rebekah. “I need to speak to you.”
Rebekah shook her head infinitesimally.
“It’s important.”
The door to the house squeaked open. “Hallo, Peter. Did I hear you mention you needed to speak to my daughter?”
Samuel rested his hands with his thumbs on the inside of his black braces.
“Yessir.”
Samuel nodded. “I see. However, it is much too late and, Rebekah, you should be getting on to bed. Joseph, you come in, too. Your Pa is here.” Samuel motioned toward the door. “Peter, won’t you come back in the morning? Breakfast is at six. You can talk to Rebekah about what’s on your mind then.”
Peter nodded. “Settled, then.” He spat a brown stream into the yard. “You bet I’ll be back.”
***
“Joseph, your pa is in the sitting room. He figured you’d walk Rebekah home and may like a ride to your place.” Samuel’s voice revealed no trace of any nervousness he might felt at Peter’s display. Rebekah’s wasn’t as calm.
