Love At Pebble Creek (Hope Chest of Dreams Book 5) Read online

  The corners of his mouth lifted. “Jah!”

  Automatically, she threw her arms around him. When she released him, her voice cracked with joy. “Praise God! Our prayers worked!”

  He nodded. “They did.”

  She sat back down and motioned to the spot next to hers. “Jesse, we need to celebrate. Do you know what this means?”

  He waited for her to go on.

  “Your dream came true! What you’ve yearned for for so many years . . . you’ve got it!”

  “It’s your turn next.”

  She was quick to note his lack of enthusiasm, but she wasn’t sure why he wouldn’t be ecstatic. But they didn’t have long, so she motioned to her contest entry. “It’s almost finished. What do you think?”

  All of a sudden, her hands shook as they regarded it together. What if he didn’t like it?

  “May I?” He took the canvas.

  “Jah.” With great care, he positioned it on his thighs as he sat next to her. While he seemed to take it in, she studied him. Today, he looked larger than usual. As he held the canvas, she glimpsed the way his upper-arm muscles pushed against his sleeves.

  When he removed his large hat, the sun lightened his hair a notch to a softer brown. When the sunlight hit it, the shade reminded her of beautiful leaves turning in the fall. Several light-blond strands highlighted the browns.

  His square jaw was set as he pulled her work closer to him and then held it at a distance. His dark brows narrowed. The bright sun enabled her to see every tiny line around his eyes. She could barely see a small scar that hovered on his forehead, just above his right eye.

  But what captured her attention the most was the way his large hands held on to the sides of the canvas with such gentleness. She drew in a small breath as she took advantage of the moment to absorb everything about this man who lifted such heavy bales of hay yet held with such gentleness the picture that Anna hoped would win her a four-year scholarship.

  As she watched her daed’s farmhand, she pressed her lips together thoughtfully. But as she noted the serious expression on his face, an unfamiliar emotion touched her. She drew in a small, quick breath of surprise and, without thinking, drew her hands to her chest.

  Finally, he turned toward her and lifted a brow. “I know you want my honest opinion.”

  She straightened and waited for him to go on.

  He expelled a deep breath. “The Englisch woman just doesn’t capture me like the Amish one.”

  While she took in his feedback, he went on. “There’s still something missing in this one.” He pointed to the image of her in the upper right-hand corner as an Englisch girl. “Even though I can’t tell you what it is.”

  They both turned their attention to the shadow picture on her canvas. “There’s definitely a difference between these two.”

  With one careful motion, he held out the canvas, and she retrieved it. When he didn’t speak, she turned to him.

  He leaned toward her and put his weight on his left forearm to support his body. “I think I know what’s wrong.”

  “Jah?”

  He nodded. “The Amish girl looks genuine and the Englisch woman doesn’t.”

  Anna finally nodded. “I think you hit the nail on the head.”

  Time with Jesse was precious, and she didn’t want to spend any more of it on her work. “Jesse, it’s my turn to listen to you. You’ve got to tell me everything about your farm . . . When did you hear? What did your real estate agent say?”

  His eyes lit up. “There’s really not much to say ’cept Sandy got word last night that the Norrises accepted our offer. There were so many hours, after we made our last offer, for them to get back to us. And fortunately, no one topped it.”

  A combination of hopefulness and great anticipation edged his voice as he looked down at her with a determined expression. “It’s the start of everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  In silence, she took in the sincerity on his face. She didn’t say anything, all too aware of the rest of what he yearned for. He longed for her to be with him. And she couldn’t commit.

  After a short pause, he cleared his throat and jumped up, putting his hands on his hips. “Time to get back to work.”

  “Jah. Me too.”

  As quick steps took him back to the field, Anna regarded her sketch. Without waiting, she said a quick prayer of thanks that Jesse was going to have his farm.

  She carefully opened her hope chest and slipped her work inside. For some strange reason, Jesse’s image loomed in the distance. But she felt as if he was still with her.

  She pressed her lips together in a straight, thoughtful line and lifted a pensive brow. She could think of Jesse twenty-four/seven, but right now, there was something that needed to be done. Something that couldn’t wait another day. It’s time to tell my parents what I’m about to do. They deserve to know. And as far as my entry, I need to nix it. And try a different one.

  * * *

  That evening, the late August sun was setting. Beautiful colors blended into the distant sky. Maemm had told Anna she and Daed would be home for dinner. Outside, Anna watered the plants around the front of the house. For a thankful moment, she stopped to take in Mary’s beautiful peach-colored roses.

  As Anna bent to touch one soft, velvety petal, she drew in a breath of deep appreciation. She touched her nose to the flower to enjoy its sweet, light, floral fragrance.

  She’d decided to enter her portrait of Jesse instead of the one of the two women. She straightened her shoulders with confidence.

  As she used the hose to refill the water pitcher, the clomp-clomping of hooves made her turn in the direction of the sound. She watched as their family buggy came down the long drive and approached the house. She quickly watered the hot-pink geraniums, turned off the spigot, and braced herself. “Dear Lord, thank You for answering Jesse’s prayer. And please bless him with the life he’s always wanted. But I need Your help right now. I’m about to explain my plan to my eltern. And please . . . please let them understand.”

  * * *

  During dinner, the conversation focused on Jesse and the farm that was now his. After the dishes were washed and dried, Anna turned to her maemm. “There’s something I need to talk to you and Daed about.” The surprised expression on her mother’s face quickly reminded Anna that what she was about to do wouldn’t be easy.

  While Maemm went to get Daed, Anna stepped to the living room and clutched her palms together as she said another silent prayer. Dear Lord, please help my parents accept this.

  As they entered the room, her father lifted an inquisitive brow. In his usual gruff voice, he asked, “Tell me.”

  Before Anna said anything, they sat down on the sofa while Anna claimed the wooden rocker opposite them. Mentally coaching herself to carry this out, she looked at them and sat up straight, placing her palms flat against her thighs. And explained.

  Afterward, a long silence ensued while Paul and Naomi exchanged glances of disapproval and doubt. The room was so quiet, Anna could have heard a pin drop. Finally, her mother drew a hand over her chest and spoke in a weary voice. “My, my. Anna, you’ve taken us by surprise.”

  Her daed’s voice was firm. “Anna, I don’t think you’re fully aware of what you’re getting yourself in to.” He glanced back at his wife before his gaze returned to Anna. “It’s our job to help you make good choices.”

  A soft voice piped in. “Did you ever wonder how you’d live in the city? How you’d get around? Where you’d go to church? And what you’d do without us?” In a pleading voice, she added, “Without Jesse?”

  Anna hesitated. Because their worries were legitimate. “I’ve been praying for guidance. And I know God will help me to overcome any obstacles that come my way.”

  Anna’s daed stood, stepped closer to her, and looked down at her as he crossed his arms over his chest. “He won’t have to, Anna.”

  While she and her father locked gazes, he moved his hands into his pockets and set his jaw. “
I forbid you to go.”

  * * *

  Tomorrow, she’d be in St. Louis. At the Marriott Grand. For the art contest. In the Kings’ barn, Anna closed her eyes and said another prayer, thanking God for Jesse’s dream coming true and praying for Him to guide her, especially because she didn’t have her parents’ blessing to carry out her own plan.

  She spread fresh bedding in the animal stalls while Jesse raked dirty straw into piles and loaded what had been used into the two wheelbarrows. While they worked, he listened to Anna recount last night’s conversation with her folks. Paul’s reaction hadn’t surprised him. But, apparently, by the distressed tone of Anna’s voice, she hadn’t prepared herself for reality.

  She stopped, propped her rake to her side, and eyed him. Sensing that she wanted to talk, he asked what she was going to do.

  After a slight pause, she shrugged and smiled a little. “I’m going to follow my dream and see where it takes me. I can’t believe the contest’s tomorrow.”

  Jesse smiled a little as he sat down on a bale of straw.

  She softened her voice. “But I want my parents’ support. Jesse, I feel so much closer to Maemm and Daed since Maemm explained they’d always planned to adopt.”

  He whistled. “I’m happy about that. But as far as getting their support?” He gave a quick shake of his head. “That might be asking too much.” After a slight hesitation, he went on in a serious tone. “Anna, remember, they don’t know anything other than how they’ve lived their entire lives.” He shrugged. “For that matter, neither do you. But your attitude . . .” He considered the right words. “It’s adventurous.”

  She laughed. “You make it sound like I’m going to climb a mountain or something.”

  He contemplated her statement. “Climbing a mountain might be easy compared to what you’re doing. Anna, if you win and move to St. Louis, you’ll have to learn a whole new lifestyle. Make all new friends. Remember, there won’t be anyone who grew up with you there. Your folks are here, and so am I.”

  “But Jesse, knowing how my parents feel makes this adventure more stressful than it should be.”

  “Anna, we’ve both known from the get-go what you were up against. But I’ve been thinking . . . I’ve supported you all along. I want to go with you.”

  She took a breath in and drew her hand over her chest in awe. “You mean . . .”

  He offered a slow nod.

  Her eyes sparkled with moisture. “You would do that for me?”

  He nodded while he acknowledged what he’d be risking. That the people he’d loved his entire life, including his daed, the bishop, would most likely not approve.

  “I was going to work on our roof with Daed, but right now, being there to support you is more important.” After a slight pause, he softened his voice, and the flecks danced on his irises. “You’ve changed me, Anna. In a good way.”

  “Jah?”

  He grinned.

  “How so?”

  “Since I’ve gotten to know you well, I’ve done a lot of thinking. And something Old Sam once said tells me you should enter this contest, just like you’ve planned. Once you find out if you won or not, you can decide about the rest of your life.”

  “But what about my folks? About our church?”

  “It might take a while, but they’ll be okay.” After a slight pause, he smiled with amusement.

  She darted him an expression that was a combination of curiosity and hopefulness. “Why that look?”

  He laughed. “It’s what Old Sam once said.”

  In silence, she raised a brow.

  “If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  It was hard to believe it was August 25, the day of Anna’s contest. Jesse smiled a little as he headed toward her home to accompany her to St. Louis. It would feel good to offer his support.

  Anna filled his thoughts as he enjoyed the gentle ups and downs in his buggy on the blacktop from his house to the Kings’. As the cool breeze floated in through the open windows, he found himself excited about Anna’s contest and praying that she’d win.

  “Dear Lord, Please guide Anna’s life. And mine. Please help this to work out the way You want it to, and if it be Your will, bless us with a life together.”

  As the horse swished its tail back and forth, the sun brightened a notch. Immediately, Jesse’s tense shoulders relaxed. The corners of his lips lifted into a curve. He blew out a deep breath.

  How could he forget that the One who’d suffered on the cross for his sins had control of his life? As one of the church’s ministers had said in a sermon, “Christ is not the victim; He is the victor.”

  An oncoming car came his way, and Jesse coaxed Serene over to the side of the narrow blacktop. Letting go of earthly possessions enables us to take hold of heavenly treasures. Jesse lifted an uncertain brow.

  Another of Old Sam’s proverbs came to mind. Jesse wasn’t sure why; it didn’t really apply to his relationship with Anna. But the recollection prompted a silent prayer. Dear God, I live for You. Please fill my heart and my soul with Your great love. Amen.

  As the car came closer, the peaceful moment quickly turned horrific. Because, to Jesse’s shock and dismay, a vehicle behind the car started to pass.

  There wasn’t time to react. And if there had been, there still wasn’t much he could do. As the fast car hit his buggy head on, steel pounded his chest. The loud sound of a continuous horn filled the air as he was thrown from his simple means of transportation and into the air. He screamed in pain. Anna was on his mind as his world went black.

  * * *

  At the Marriott St. Louis Grand, optimism filled Anna as she made her way through the concourse underneath the street level that connected the main hotel to the ballrooms.

  At the Majestic Ballroom on the second floor, she took in the light gray walls. She’d learned that the ballrooms had just undergone renovation. She could smell fresh carpet.

  She stood very still inside of the foyer outside of the Majestic Ballroom. The area was all windows and overlooked Washington Avenue. As she took in the vehicles on the street, she mentally noted how vastly different St. Louis was from Arthur, Illinois.

  The city was far grander and even busier than she’d imagined. Still, everything about today was perfect. Except that Jesse hadn’t shown up to go with her. She guessed he’d decided to do his roof.

  Her parents had offered their blessing as she’d waved goodbye to them, although they’d done so with a lack of enthusiasm. Even so, her father had kissed her goodbye when she’d climbed into the back seat of her driver’s car.

  Before stepping inside the women’s washroom, she stopped for a moment and mentally ticked off her to-do list. Get here. Fertig. Check in, provide my entry, wear my name badge. Fertig.

  Letting out a satisfied breath, she made her way to the exhibit-style crowded ballroom, where tables of art work were displayed.

  As she looked around in awe, voices morphed into one solid sound. She noticed a few curious glances and acknowledged that she must look out of place in her long blue dress and white kapp.

  But she didn’t care. In fact, as she stood in her Amish attire, an unexpected love for her faith swept over her. Words inside a frame on the wall claimed her attention. Don’t try to find your path. Create your own.

  Anna considered that message as she searched among the numerous tables for her entry. That Jesse hadn’t shown up nagged at her thoughts. She’d been certain he’d come with her.

  However, she was aware that he’d originally planned to work on his roof before tomorrow’s rainstorm hit. Plus, she knew he had big decisions to make regarding his farm. That had to be why he wasn’t with her.

  Still, she missed him and wished he were there. As she found her table, the words in bold black print claimed her thoughts again. Don’t try to find your path. Create your own.

  As she took in the empty space behind her name on a card, she smiled with satisfaction. She had no
doubt that she’d made the right choice by scrapping her original idea of the Amish versus the English woman for the image of Jesse’s honest, humble face, representing being true to one’s self.

  There was now another goal in Anna’s life besides being an artist. And that was to spend happily ever after with her one true love.

  But it’s Jesse. He’s what Mamma could never find. I know he’s the one. I’m sure because of everything he’s said. I could see his love for me in his eyes. The tongue can lie, but the eyes can’t.

  She startled when her name was called over the loud speaker. Straightening her shoulders, she headed toward the judges’ booth. Inside the enclosed area, Anna smiled a little as she shook hands with a middle-aged lady.

  “I’ m Jane Walker.”

  “Anna King.”

  Jane quickly introduced Anna to the other judges and motioned to Anna’s sketch of Jesse, which was displayed on a table in a private room where they all could view it.

  Being true to one’s self. Questions started over the entry that Anna had decided to title Friendship. After saying a silent prayer, Anna folded her hands over her lap and answered the interrogations about her sketch and how she’d captured his character and revealed his emotions so they appeared so lifelike.

  She thought back to her time with Jesse while she’d taken in that honest, trustworthy face she’d captured on canvas. She knew every crease around his eyes. Where his hair was thickest. The curve of his mouth when he was about to crack a smile. But the most important aspect of her entry, in her mind, was his eyes. She felt as though she’d captured his heart and soul. When she studied his penciled visage, something tugged at her heart until she swallowed an emotional knot.

  As Anna spoke, she discussed the lines of emotion as well as why she’d chosen him, in particular, as her entry. Anna relaxed while she told about her friend and what he meant to her. Twenty minutes later, one of the women smiled. “He sounds like someone I’d want to know. And you’re certainly a talented artist, Anna.”

  Anna beamed. “Thank you.”