A Secret Amish Love

Chapter Two

James admired the beautiful scenery as he drove his silver Lexus deeper into Lancaster County Amish country. Farmhouses surrounded by acres of corn dotted the landscape. Cows and sheep milled in pastures near Amish residences. Flowers bloomed in riotous color in gardens next to white front porches, while lawns were a splash of verdant green from the summer rains that had showered the earth recently. Familiar dark and solid-colored clothing flapped in the breeze, bringing back memories of James’s teenage years living in an Amish community.

Seeing the Amish woman Nell again reminded him that it had been too long since he’d visited his mother and stepfather, so instead of going back to his apartment as he usually did, he turned in the opposite direction, toward the farm where he’d lived from the age of fifteen until he’d left Lancaster County at eighteen to attend college in Ohio.

His stepfather and mother’s farm loomed up ahead. The beauty of it nearly stole his breath even while he felt suddenly nervous.

He didn’t know why. He knew they both would be glad to see him. It wouldn’t matter to them that he’d moved into the area over two months ago and had stopped by only once. He’d set up his practice here because he’d wanted to be closer to his family. Yet, for some reason he’d stayed away.

He drove over the dirt road that led to his stepfather’s farmhouse and pulled into the yard near the barn. He didn’t see the family buggy. He parked out of the way of the barn door, in case whoever had taken out the vehicle returned.

There was no sign of anyone in the front or side yard as James turned off the engine and climbed out of his car. He paused a moment with the door open to stare at the house that had once been his home.

It had been hard moving into this house after his father had died and his mother had married Adam. It wasn’t that he didn’t want his mother to be happy. But he’d missed his dad. Grief-stricken, he’d been a terrible son, bitter and angry and difficult to control. But Adam was a kind man, who seemed to understand what James was going through. Because of Adam’s understanding, patience and love, James had grown to love and respect his stepfather.

James shut the car door. He was here, and he would wait for everyone’s return, not run like the frightened teenage boy he’d been when he’d first moved into Adam Troyer’s house. He wandered toward the backyard and saw a woman taking laundry down from the clothesline.

“Mom?” He hurried in her direction.

She stiffened, then with a garment in her hand turned slowly. She was too young to be his mother although the resemblance to her was striking. His eyes widened. “Maggie?”

“Ja, bruder.” Her mouth firmed. “You finally decided to pay us a visit.”

It had been too long since he’d seen his younger sister. He felt a rush of gladness that quickly turned to hard-hitting guilt.

“You weren’t home when I last visited.” He regarded her with affection. “It’s good to see you, Mags.”

“Nobody calls me that but you.” She dropped a garment into a wicker clothes basket.

He grinned. “Yes, I know.”

Warmth entered her expression. “So you really did move back to Happiness.”

“I did—close to two months ago.” He held up his hand. “I know. I should have come again sooner. I’ve been struggling to grow my veterinary practice but...” He sighed. “It’s no excuse.”

He gazed at his little sister who was now a woman. He regretted missing her teenage years. He hadn’t been here for her while she was growing up. He’d left home, driven to follow in his late father’s footsteps. He’d attended college in Ohio, then went to Penn Vet for veterinary school. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. “I have a gut life. Mam and Dat are wonderful and Abby—” Her eyes widened. “Have you seen our little sister yet? You won’t recognize Abigail, James. She’s eighteen now.”

Regret overwhelmed him, and James closed his eyes. “I missed too much.”

“You’re here now,” she reminded him softly. She was quiet a moment as she studied him. “You’ll have time to see her now.”

“And Matt and Rosie?” he asked of his stepsiblings.

Maggie smiled. “They are doing well. You wouldn’t recognize them either.” She studied him silently. “Matt is nineteen and Rosie’s sixteen.” She eyed him with curiosity. “Are you happy, James?”

Was he? No one had thought to ask whether or not he was content with his life—not even himself. He should be more than pleased with what he’d accomplished, but was he? He honestly didn’t know.

“I enjoy helping animals, and my work reminds me of the time I spent with Dad. But happy? I’m working on it. What about you?”

A tiny smile came to her lips, and her green eyes sparkled. “Ja, I’m happy.”

He stared at her, intrigued. He grinned. “You’re being courted!”

She looked surprised and pleased that after all these years he still could read her so well. “Ja,” she confessed. “His name is Joshua Fisher. He’s a kind man.”

“How old is Joshua Fisher?”

His sister narrowed her gaze at him. “Why?”

He didn’t answer her.

She sighed. “He’s twenty-one.”

“I’m pleased for you, Maggie.” Warmth filled him as he studied her. “You like the Amish way of life.” Like him, she was raised English until their father died and their mother had brought them from Ohio to live in his grandparents’ home in Lancaster County.

Her gaze slid over him. “You didn’t seem to mind our Amish life,” she reminded him. “Once you’d adjusted.”

It was true. He had learned to appreciate the life he’d once rebelled against. The quiet peace that came from working on the farm when he was a boy eventually had soothed his inner turmoil over losing the father whom he’d loved, admired and always wanted to emulate.

“Where’s Mam?” he said, slipping easily back into Pennsylvania Deitsch, considering how long he’d been away.

Maggie eyed him shrewdly. “In the haus.” She paused. “Dat’s there, too.”

“He’s done working for the day?” His stepfather was a hardworking man, just like his own father had been. Would Adam scold him for staying away?

James experienced a sudden onset of uneasiness. The man who’d married his mother had been a good father to him, and he’d repaid him by being difficult and mean during those first months...and then he must have hurt Adam, leaving home when he did to follow the path he’d set out for himself away from their Amish village.

“Ja, you came at the right time. Mam and Abigail are making supper. Will you stay?”

He felt his tension leave him as he acknowledged the truth. “Ja.” He knew this was an open invitation. It was the Amish way to be hospitable and never turn a single soul away. “Will they be glad to see me?” he murmured. He studied the house. “I guess I’ll head inside.”

“James!” his sister called as he started toward the house. He stopped and faced her.

Maggie’s gaze was filled with warmth and understanding. “’Tis gut to see you. Our eldre will be happy that you’ve come. Please, James, don’t stay away too long again.” She pretended to scowl. “I’ve missed your ugly face.”

James couldn’t stop the grin that came with the lightening of his spirit. “You’ll be eager to get rid of me now that I’m living close and can visit frequently.”

She shook her head. “Nay, I won’t.” She regarded him with affection. “I’ll always be happy to see you, big bruder.”

They eyed each other with warmth. “I’d better go,” he said. “You’ll be in soon?”

“A few moments more and I’ll be done here.”

“I’ll see you inside then.”

Despite anticipating a warm welcome, James felt his stomach burn as he crossed the yard toward the back door leading into his mother’s kitchen. He drew a deep cleansing breath as he rapped on the wooden door frame.

The door swung open within seconds to reveal his stepfather, who blinked rapidly. “James?” Adam greeted softly as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.

James offered a tentative smile. “Hallo, Dat.” He watched with awe as happiness transformed his stepfather’s expression.

“Come in!” he invited with a grin as he stepped back to allow him entry. “Your mudder will be pleased to see you.” He regarded James with affection. “I’m glad you’ve come back to visit.” His eyes brightened as if Adam fought tears. “You look well, soohn. Your clinic is doing gut?”

James suddenly felt as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders as he entered the house. “It’s doing better now, Dat.” He needed this homecoming. Adam was still the warm, patient and kind man he’d always been, and James was so thankful for him. “It was hard to get started at first. I’m getting more patients, though.”

Adam smiled. “I’m happy for you, James. I’m certain that you’ll make a success of it.” He gestured toward the kitchen table. “Sit, sit. I’ll get your mudder.”

James sat, aware that the house held all the wonderful cooking smells reminiscent of those he’d loved and remembered from his childhood.

Before Adam could leave to find her, his mother entered the kitchen from the front of the house. “I thought I heard voices, husband. Who—” Her eyes widened as they filled with tears of joy. “James!” She beamed at him. “You’re back.”

James grinned. “Hallo, Mam. I’m sorry I haven’t been back sooner.”

His mother brushed off his apology. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” She met her husband’s gaze with a pleased, loving smile. “He’s come home again,” she whispered huskily.

Adam moved to his wife’s side and placed a loving hand on her shoulder. His smile for her was warm. “Ja, he has.” He captured James’s gaze. “And he is happy to be here.” His stepfather grinned when James nodded. “I know ’tis near suppertime, Ruth, but why don’t we have tea first?”

James watched his mother put on the teakettle. He had to stifle the urge to get up and help, knowing that it would upset her if he tried. In her mind, a woman’s work was in the house while a man’s work was on the farm or at his business. Adam’s farm was small but large enough to provide for his family. His stepfather made quality outdoor furniture for a living, and Adam was good at his work.

The teakettle whistled as Mam got out cups, saucers and tea bags.

“It’s gut to be back,” James said sincerely. It was good to see his family and the farm.

He made a silent vow that he would return more frequently to spend time with the family he loved and missed, he realized, during the years he’d been away from Happiness, Pennsylvania.

* * *

Her father came into the room as Nell was drying the last of the supper dishes. “Dochter, when you’re done, come out onto the porch. I want to talk with you.”

“I’ll be right out, Dat.” She was putting away dishes when her sister pitched in to help. “Danki, Ellie.” Nell hung up her wet tea towel on the rack when they were done.

“He’ll not bite you,” Ellie said softly.

Nell flashed her a look. “I didn’t think he would.”

“Then stop looking scared. Dat loves us.” Her lips twitching, she teased, “Even you.”

“I know, but I’m afraid he’s angry that I didn’t come right home from Aunt Katie’s.”

“He’s not angry,” Ellie assured her.

“Disappointed? Upset?”

“He was worried. Joshua didn’t come until it was too late for him not to worry.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Bob would send Joshua.”

“Nor could you foresee the accident that would keep Joshua from getting to us sooner.”

“Then why does he want to talk with me?”

Her sister shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”

Nell nodded. “I guess I better go then.”

She couldn’t regret her afternoon at the clinic. She’d had a taste of what it might have been like if she’d accepted James’s job offer as his assistant. She loved animals. She enjoyed spending time with them, caring for them, holding them. After her sister Meg became gravely ill, and Michael—the man she’d loved—had died, her animals had been Nell’s only solace.

Working the afternoon at Pierce’s Veterinary Clinic, she believed, was God’s reward for doing the right thing.

Her father was standing on the front porch gazing at the horizon when Nell joined him.

“Dat?”

“Gut, you’re here.”

“Dat, if this is about today, I’m sorry that you were worried. I called Bob as soon as I knew that I’d be staying. I didn’t know about Joshua and the accident.”

“This isn’t about today,” he said, “although I was worried when you didn’t come home.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You did what you should have. Joshua explained everything.” He turned to stare out over the farm. “’Tis about something else. Something I’ve been meaning to talk with you about.”

“What is it, Dat?”

“You’re twenty-four, Nell. ’Tis time you were thinking of marrying and having a family of your own. Other community women your age are married with children, but you have shown no interest in having a husband. I’m afraid you’re spending too much time with your animals.”

Nell’s heart lurched with fear. He’d talked previously of marriage to her but not negatively about her animals. “Dat, I enjoy them.” She inhaled sharply. “You want me to get rid of them?”

He faced her. “Nay, Dochter, I know you care for those critters, and as unusual as that is, I wouldn’t insist on taking anything away that gives you such joy. But having a husband and children should be more important. You’re getting older, and your chances at marriage are dwindling. You need to find a husband and soon. If not, then I’ll have to find one for you.”

“How am I supposed to get a husband, Dat?” She’d loved Michael and hoped to marry him until he’d died of injuries from an automobile accident.

She knew she was expected to marry. It was the Amish way. But how was she to find a husband?

Chapter Three

Saturday morning found the five Stoltzfus sisters in the kitchen with their mother preparing food for the next day. This Sunday was Visiting Day, and the family would be spending it at the William Mast farm. Nell and her sister Leah were making schnitz pies made from dried apples for the gathering. Mam and Ellie were kneading bread that they would bake today and eat with cold cuts tomorrow evening after they returned home. Meg and their youngest sister, Charlie, were cutting watermelon, honeydew melons and cantaloupe for a fresh fruit salad.

“I’m going to Martha’s on Monday,” Meg announced as she cut fruit and placed it in a ceramic bowl. “We’re planning to work on craft items for the Gordonville Mud Sale and Auction.”

“What’s so special about the Gordonville sale?” Charlie asked.

Ellie smirked. “She’s hoping to see Reuben.”

Meg blushed. “I don’t know that he’ll be there.”

“But that’s your hope,” Nell said.

For as long as Nell could remember, Meg had harbored feelings for Reuben Miller, a young man from another Amish church community. She’d met him two years ago at their youth singing, after their cousin Eli had invited Reuben and his sister Rebecca, whom Eli liked at the time, to attend.

Reuben had struck up a conversation with Meg, and Meg immediately had taken a strong liking to him. Although the young man hadn’t attended another singing, Meg continued to hold on to the hope that one day they’d meet again and he’d realize that she was the perfect girl for him.

Nell eyed her middle sister. “Meg, if you see Reuben and find out that he’s courting someone, what are you going to do?”

Meg’s features contorted. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

“You could be hurt, but still you won’t give up...” Leah added.

Meg nodded. “I can’t. Not if there is the slightest chance that he doesn’t have a sweetheart. I know we spent only a few hours together, but I really liked him,” she admitted quietly. “I still do.”

“If you want a sweetheart, why not consider Peter Zook?” Nell suggested, anticipating Meg’s negative response.

“Peter!” her sister spat. “I don’t want Peter Zook’s attention.”

“Peter’s a nice boy,” Mam said.

“Exactly! He’s a boy.” She sniffed. “Reuben is a man.”

Nell held back a teasing retort. Peter was the same age as Reuben. He was a kind and compassionate young man who’d had the misfortune of falling in love with her sister, who wanted nothing to do with him. In her opinion, Meg could do no better than Peter Zook.

If only she could find someone her age who was kind, like Peter, to marry. An Amish friend she could respect and eventually regard fondly as they built a life together.

“I hope it works out for you, Meg,” she said as she squeezed her sister’s shoulder gently.

Meg smiled at her. “Danki.”

“Would you and Martha like help on Monday? I can make pot holders for the sale,” their youngest sister offered.

“That would be nice, Charlie,” Meg said. “Danki.”

The day passed quickly with the sisters chatting about many topics while they worked, including their Lapp cousins and who they expected to visit tomorrow at the Mast home.

Sunday morning arrived warm and sunny. At nine o’clock, their father brought the buggy close to the back door. The girls filed out of the house with food and into the buggy. Nell handed them the pies she and Leah had baked before climbing inside herself.

“Dat, Onkel Samuel and Endie Katie are coming, ja?” Leah asked as Dat steered the horse away from the house and onto the paved road.

“Ja, so your onkel said,” he replied.

“Endie Katie said the same when I saw her the other day.”

“Will all of our cousins be coming with their kinner? Noah and Rachel, Annie and Jacob, Jedidiah and Sarah?”

“I believe so,” Dat said.

Nell smiled. She enjoyed spending time with her male cousins and their spouses. And she was eager to see Ellen, William and Josie’s daughter, who had come to her aid and taken her and Jonas to the vet the day Nell had rescued him.

Buggies were parked on the lawn to the left in front of the barn when Dat pulled in next to the last vehicle.

Nell got out of the carriage first. Seeing her, Ellen Mast waved and hurried to meet her.

“Hallo, Nell! How’s Jonas?”

“He’s doing wonderfully. His leg is healed, and he’s gained weight. I’m about to start him on heartworm medicine.”

The young blond woman looked pleased. “I’m so glad. I think it was a gut thing that you were the one to rescue him. I’m sure he’s happy and well.”

Nell beamed. “I’d like to think so.” She and Ellen strolled toward the house as the other members of her family slowly followed.

Another gray family carriage parked next to theirs. “Look!” Charlie exclaimed. “’Tis the Adam Troyers!”

“Charlie!” Rosie Troyer called as she exited the vehicle. Abigail climbed out behind her and waved. The eldest sister, Maggie, and their brother Matthew followed and approached Ellen and the Stoltzfus sisters with a smile.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Ellie said with a smile. “I’m glad you could come.”

“Ja, we thought our oldest bruder was coming also, but he was called out on an emergency,” Maggie told them.

“Hallo, Ellen.” Matthew turned to Nell next with a smile. “Nell, ’tis gut to see you.”

Nell’s lips curved. “Matthew.”

Adam and Ruth Troyer approached. “Ellen, Nell. ’Tis gut to see you both. Ellen,” Ruth said, “is your mudder inside?”

“Ja, I last saw her in the kitchen.”

Loud, teasing male voices drew their attention. Nell’s Lapp cousins Elijah, Jacob, Noah, Daniel and Joseph hurried out into the yard and gathered on the back lawn. Moments later, they were joined by her friend Ellen’s younger brothers, Will and Elam.

Jedidiah came from the direction of the barn. “Found them!” he said, holding up a baseball bat and ball.

“Matthew! You going to play ball with us?” Isaac called.

“Ja, I’ll play.” With another smile in Nell’s direction, the young man left to have fun with Nell’s cousins.

“Nell, you watch the game and I’ll bring your pies inside.”

She smiled as she gave her pies to her friend. “Danki, Ellen.”

Ellen entered the house, leaving her alone with Maggie.

“I didn’t know you had another bruder, Maggie,” Nell admitted, focusing on Maggie’s revelation, as the baseball game began.

“Ja. He’s a doctor and seven years older than me. He left our community when he was eighteen.” Maggie’s eyes filled with affection. “I’ve missed him so much. I was able to spend time with him yesterday but still...” She grinned. “Fortunately, he’s moved closer to home, and we’ll be able to see him more often. I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually.”

Nell didn’t know why, but she felt an odd anticipation as if she were on the urge of learning something significant. “You said your bruder was called out on an emergency,” she said. “What does he do?”

“He’s a veterinarian. He’s recently opened a clinic here in Happiness.”

The strange sensation settled over Nell. Despite the difference in their last names, could James be Maggie’s brother? If the young woman’s sibling was a veterinarian, then she doubted that the man was a member of the Amish community. “What’s his name?” she asked, although she had a feeling she knew.

“James Pierce.” Maggie smiled. “He owns Pierce Veterinary Clinic. Have you heard of him?”

“Ja. In fact, ’twas your bruder who treated my dog, Jonas, after I found him.”

“Then you’ve met him!” Maggie looked delighted. “Is he a gut veterinarian?”

Startled by this new knowledge of James, Nell could only nod at first. “He was wonderful with Jonas. He’s a kind and compassionate man.” She studied Maggie closely and recognized the family resemblance that she previously hadn’t noticed between her and James. “How is he a Pierce and you a Troyer?”

“I am a Pierce.” Maggie grinned. “Abigail is, too. But we don’t go by the Pierce name. Adam is our stepfather, and he is our dat now. We were young when we lost our vadder. I was six, and Abigail was just a bebe. We lived in Ohio back then. After our vadder died, Mam moved us to Lancaster County where she was raised. She left Pennsylvania to marry Dat and start a life with him in Ohio. Mam was heartbroken when Dat died. She couldn’t stay in Ohio without her husband and decided to return home to Lancaster County.”

Maggie’s eyes filled with sadness. “I didn’t mind. I was too young to care, but James was thirteen and he had a hard time with the move. He loved and admired Dad, and he’d wanted to be a veterinarian like him since he was ten. James used to accompany Dad when he visited farmers to treat their animals. He was devastated by Dad’s death, and he became more determined to follow in Dad’s footsteps.”

Nell felt her heart break for James, who must have suffered greatly after his father’s death. “You chose the Amish life, but James chose a different path.”

“And he’s doing well,” Maggie said. “My family is thrilled that he set up his practice in Happiness, because he wanted to be closer to us.”

“He missed you,” Nell said quietly.

The young woman grinned. “I guess he did. I certainly missed him. I’m glad to have my big bruder back.”

Nell couldn’t get what she’d learned about James and the Troyers out of her mind. It didn’t help her churned-up emotions when, later that afternoon, James arrived to spend time with his family.

She recognized his silver car immediately as he drove into the barnyard and parked. Nell watched as he got out of his vehicle, straightened and closed the door. James stood a moment, his gaze searching, no doubt looking for family members. She couldn’t move as he crossed the yard to where William Mast and others had set up tables and bench seats. They had enjoyed the midday meal, but there was still a table filled with delicious homemade desserts, including the schnitz pies that she and Leah had baked yesterday morning.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away as James headed to the gathering of young people, including his sisters Maggie and Abigail as well as their stepsiblings, Rosie and Matthew.

Nell found it heartwarming to see that all of his siblings regarded him with the same depth of love and affection. She watched as James spoke briefly to Maggie, who grinned as Abigail, Rosie and Matthew approached him, clearly delighted that he’d handled his emergency then decided to come. She heard the siblings teasing and the ensuing laughter. Maggie said something to James as she gestured in Nell’s direction.

James turned and saw her, and Nell froze. Her heart started to beat hard when he broke away from the group to approach her.

* * *

“Nell!” Warmed by the sight of her, James smiled as he reached her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Her lips curved. “I didn’t expect to see you here either.”

“So you know my family.” He didn’t know why the knowledge startled him. Not that he was upset. In fact, it was nice to know that before they’d even met, he and Nell had shared an undiscovered connection.

“I’ve known them a long time. I had no idea that your family is the Troyers.” She shifted her gaze to his sister Maggie. “Then I recognized the resemblance between you and Maggie.” She smiled. “I’ve always liked your sister. She’s a gut friend, and I like her sweetheart, Joshua Fisher, too.”

“Joshua is here?” James attempted to pick him out of the gathering.

“Nay. He couldn’t come today. His grossmudder is ill, and he thought it best to spend time with her and his family.”

He was pleased to hear that Nell thought well of the man his sister loved. “He’s a good man,” he murmured, his gaze on his sister’s smiling face.

“Ja, and he’ll make Maggie a gut husband.”

James settled his gaze on Nell’s pretty, expressive features. “I’m glad you think so. I haven’t met him yet, but I trust your judgment.”

Nell appeared startled. She blushed as if embarrassed by his praise. “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon.”

They stood silently for several seconds. James felt comfortable with Nell, and she seemed to have relaxed around him, too.

“Nell.”

She met his gaze.

“I was going to stop by your house. I received a phone call from Michelle today. Her stomach virus has spread to her husband and children, and she won’t be back for days. Perhaps even a week. Janie isn’t due back from vacation for another week. Would you consider working at the clinic next week? I’ll pay you a good wage.”

She seemed suddenly flustered, but he could tell that she liked the idea. “I’ll have to ask my dat,” she said.

“May I talk with him? I may be able to help ease his mind.”

“I don’t know...” She glanced toward an area under a shade tree where a group of older Amish men were conversing.

“Are you afraid that he won’t like me?”

“Nay!” she gasped, her eyes flashing toward his. She softened her tone. “Nay. It’s not that.”

“Then let me speak with him.” He frowned. “Unless you don’t want the job.”

“I wouldn’t mind working at the clinic again.”

James grinned as he sensed the exact moment when Nell gave him permission to talk with her father.

He immediately knew who her father was when a man looked sharply at Nell and then him. “I’ll be right back,” James told her as he made his way to the man who’d left the group to approach.

“Sir,” James greeted him. “I’m James Pierce. Your daughter helped me last Thursday at my veterinary clinic.”

“Arlin Stoltzfus,” the man said as he narrowed his gaze to take stock of James, “and I wonder how you know that Nell is my dochter.”

“A gut guess?” James said, slipping into Pennsylvania Deitsch and noting the man’s surprise, which was quickly masked by a frown.

“What do you want, James Pierce?”

“A favor,” James said. He softened his expression.

“What kind of favor?” The man eyed him with doubt.

“First, would you feel better knowing that I’ve come to visit my family—the Troyers—and not Nell?”

Something flickered in the man’s expression. “You’re Adam and Ruth’s eldest son.”

“Ja, I have the gut fortune to have their love.”

The concern eased from Arlin’s expression. “I’m sure you are a gut man, James Pierce.”

“James,” James invited, and Arlin smiled. “But now that I’ve seen Nell here today, I’d like to ask your permission for Nell to work in the clinic next week.”

The man lowered his eyebrows. “Why?”

“I have no staff next week. My receptionist is taking care of her sick family as well as recuperating from illness herself. My assistant is away with her husband and not expected back until a week from tomorrow. I would need her to fill in for one week only.”

Arlin glanced toward Nell, who was talking with two young women. “Have you mentioned this to her?”

James shifted uncomfortably. “Ja, I wished to know if she was interested before I came to you.”

“And she is interested,” the man murmured, “which is no surprise, considering how much she loves caring for animals.”

Nell glanced in their direction, then quickly looked away, but not before James recognized longing in her expression. She wanted the opportunity to work in the clinic if only for a short time.

Nell’s father sighed heavily as he studied his daughter. His expression was light, and there was amusement in his brown eyes as he met James’s gaze. “She can work with you. She’ll be disappointed if I refuse permission.”

James smiled. “And above everything, you want your dochter’s happiness.” He watched with stunned surprise as Arlin waved at his daughter to join them. Nell approached, looking fearful as she glimpsed her father’s stern expression.

“You want to work for him?” he asked sharply.

“Ja, Dat, but only if you give permission.”

Arlin’s expression softened. “He belongs to the Troyers. I give permission,” he said, surprising James.

James grinned. “Monday morning, eight o’clock sharp. Can you be there?”

“I can be there,” Nell said. She turned toward her father. “I’ll have my morning chores done before I go.”

“Ja, I have no doubt of that,” Arlin said.