“And nobody’ll go hungry—especially this little punkin,” Lenore put in as she shifted Betsy to her other shoulder. “We’ll take extra-gut care of her while you’re away.”
“We mammis are looking forward to time with the kids,” Jude’s mother said with a nod—although she didn’t include Adeline and Alice in her gaze when she surveyed the kitchen.
Jude was satisfied, however, that his mother and his brother would help Lenore maintain order while he and Leah were away. Jeremiah had gotten quite an earful from Mamm when she’d returned home from the quilting frolic, and the bishop had made it known that unless he saw a marked improvement in the twins’ behavior—in the sincerity of their words and deeds where Leah was concerned—the girls would be confessing before the entire congregation come Sunday.
When Alice had protested that they couldn’t be punished or shunned because they were in their rumspringa—not members of the church—Bishop Jeremiah had informed her that he’d already spoken with the preachers on this matter, and that the twins were on everyone’s radar. No longer could they use their unbaptized state as an excuse to sneak around with English boys, tell tales, or torment Leah. Adeline and Alice had been stunned to hear that folks other than the ladies at the frolic had heard about their blatant lie concerning Betsy being Leah’s child.
Maybe they’ve learned a lesson they wouldn’t accept just upon my teaching it, Jude thought as he watched the girls wash and rinse a few more plates. Sometimes the messenger is as important as the message.
When he caught sight of the eager smile teasing at Leah’s lips, he set aside his concerns about the twins. “Guess we’ll be going now,” Jude announced as he reached for his wife’s hand. “See you all Friday morning.”
He felt like a kid skipping out of school. Even though snow still lay in the low spots and ditches alongside the road, Jude was in a springtime frame of mind once he and Leah were in the rig and heading toward Cedar Creek.
“This is so exciting,” Leah said as she reached for his hand. “I kept thinking something would come up and keep us at home, but you saw to all the details—especially about corralling the kids.”
Jude chuckled. “I figured if I didn’t have Mamm and Jeremiah there as backup, Lenore wouldn’t stand a chance at keeping track of the girls—and it pains me to say that about them,” he added sadly. “If I knew how to find the fellow who owned that infernal cell phone that was partly to blame for this mess, I’d return it—along with a few choice warnings. But for now Jeremiah knows where I stashed it, out in the barn where your goats are.”
Leah’s eyes widened with comprehension. “You figured the twins would never look for it out there, because they don’t want to be around my goats,” she put in with a chuckle. “Does Stevie know where it is? He seems to overhear a lot about what the girls are keeping from us.”
“He doesn’t know the exact stall—and it’s behind a board, in a spot he can’t reach,” Jude replied. “He has the best intentions, but I figured if the twins tried to worm the phone’s location out of him, he might let it slip. He just knows it isn’t in the house.”
They were silent for a few moments, sitting close enough that their shoulders and thighs brushed as the buggy swayed.
“We’re leaving all that drama behind us now, for four whole days,” Jude whispered suggestively. “I can think of much more . . . tantalizing topics for us to explore. I chose a room at the back of the Kanagys’ double house, facing toward the woods and a pasture. When I stopped by to make our reservation, Mary and Martha told me we’d have the guest areas to ourselves, because at this time of year most folks only come on the weekends.” Jude smiled, saving the best temptation for last. “We also have the option of getting our breakfast delivered to the room if we don’t feel like getting dressed to eat in the dining room.”
Leah sat back against the buggy seat, her eyes wide. “That sounds downright sinful, lolling in bed—holed up in a nice room—when we’d usually be doing chores in the barn or cooking breakfast,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “I—I’m not sure I’ll know how to do that.”
“I can teach you, sweet Leah,” Jude teased.
Leah giggled. “I bet you can.”
Chapter 18
Leah cherished every moment of her time with Jude at the Kanagy place. She was astounded that before they’d even arrived, he’d arranged for those private breakfasts he’d teased her about during the drive—and he’d also paid extra to take their noon and evening meals with Bram and Nate Kanagy and their wives so she and Jude wouldn’t need to venture into town for food.
“This getaway is one of your best ideas ever, Jude,” Leah said as she gazed out their room’s big window late Wednesday morning. “It was so thoughtful of you to see to our meals and get us this room overlooking the woods. I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed, so carefree—and please don’t think I don’t love the kids—”
Jude kissed her temple as he stood behind her, holding her. “I would never think that about you, sweetheart,” he countered. “Truth be told, I was ready for some time away from parenting, too—and I believe we’ll both see the kids from clearer, better-rested eyes when we return on Friday morning.”
Leah watched a small red fox wander just to the edge of the woods, staying in the shade and underbrush to take in its surroundings. She touched the window so Jude would notice the fox, too. “You know, he has the right idea,” she said pensively. “There’s nothing wrong with taking refuge—staying in your safe domain—while you assess what lies around you,” she continued. “You are my safe domain, Jude. My home. Because you’ve loved me so
