My cheeks filled with heat. Why had I let Jake talk me into that immature stunt? Because I’d been in search of adventure. Well, this was more adventure than I’d anticipated or ever wanted to experience again.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Wayne.” I turned to Stephen and Jake. “You too, of course.”
Both men sent me aggravated expressions. But I noticed fear lurking in the depths of their eyes.
Buggies and cars slowed or stopped by the side of the road. Wayne holstered his gun and waved them on. “No barn fires tonight, folks. Nothing to see here.”
He turned toward us. “I’ll be right back. I’d better have a look around.” Flashlight in hand, Wayne entered the barn.
Mark piloted his buggy to the side of the road. He disembarked and secured his horse to a railing. I shrank back as his gaze assessed the situation, including me in my Englisch coat and scarf.
“What brings you out so late, Mark?” Jake asked him. “Paying a visit on Evie?”
Jake frowned at me.
“You got it all wrong.” The corners of Mark’s mouth lifted into a smug grin. “Nee, I’m seeing someone. Eva and I have never been more than friends.”
“Whom are you seeing?”
“None of your business.” I guessed he’d paid a call on Sadie.
Mark turned to Stephen. “What’s going on?”
“Looks like Ralph was planning to spend the night in the barn again. The idiot shot a hole in Wayne’s squad car.”
“Praise the Lord he missed Wayne,” I said, but no one acknowledged me except Heath, who snuffled and licked my hand.
Wayne lumbered out of the barn and over to us. “I didn’t find any evidence of planned arson. Although Ralph had a Bic lighter in his pocket along with cigarettes and a flask.” He glanced over at his squad car. “I’ll take him into the station. This time he’s in a little more trouble. If he weren’t such a lousy shot, I could be dead.”
Minutes later, Wayne jetted off down the road toward town. My heart was full of thankfulness, but I could tell Jake and Stephen were both angry. At Ralph, me, or each other?
Stephen spoke to Jake. “Hadn’t you better mosey on home and take care of your parents and new baby?”
“The baby is not mine, but she’s a darling little boppli.”
I moved closer. “Did you really deliver her? Right in your car?”
“I didn’t have much choice. The baby came so quickly, there was nothing I could do but help Brandy as best I was able. I’m glad I had that towel and a blanket in the backseat. I drove her to the hospital, and the ER staff took over. They said it was fine I hadn’t cut the umbilical cord. No hurry there.”
“Were you afraid?” I asked.
“Yah, but I remembered all the calves I’d helped my dat deliver. I told myself I could do it, even though Brandy was writhing in pain.” He looked as though he might cry, but straightened himself and stood tall. “She said she wants me to be her godfather.”
“Oh yeah?” Stephen said. “Sure you’re not the baby’s father?”
“Yes, I’m sure. If I must submit to a DNA test to prove I’m not the child’s father, I will.”
“Not such a bad idea,” Stephen said.
“I don’t like your insinuations.” Jake crossed his arms.
“What color hair does she have?” I asked. An innocent enough question. Yet I knew I was testing him.
The corners of Jake’s mouth twitched back. “Black, and a lot of it. And skin the color of milk chocolate. Isn’t that proof enough?”
“If you say so,” Stephen said.
“I do say so.” Jake’s gaze focused on me. “Don’t turn against me because Stephen’s attempting to make me look like a liar.” His voice came out a growl that got Heath barking.
I stared back into his indignant face.
Stephen chortled, further enraging Jake. As Stephen pivoted toward the house, Heath tugged, causing Stephen’s elbow to knock into Jake’s arm.
“Is that what you want?” Jake’s expression grew fierce, his eyes bulging. “You want to steal my girl?”
“Hey, fellas, trying to make a spectacle of yourself?” Mark strode over to us.
Both Jake and Stephen stiffened, as if they’d forgotten Mark was there. They gave each other another contentious glare and moved apart.
“I can understand your frustration,” Mark said, “but control your tempers.” A buggy rolled by, and Mark lifted a hand and then watched the buggy recede into the darkness. For the youngest man present, he was acting the most maturely.
“Jake has no business coming to the nursery.” Stephen folded his arms across his chest. “Who does he think he is?”
“Under the circumstances, I doubt you’ll get anywhere with that,” Jake said.
“Jake, why don’t you go home where you’re needed?” I said. “I can take care of myself.”
Jake and Stephen both shot me a look of disapproval, as if a reminder I should have stayed in the house.
“Jake, please go home,” I said. “I want to keep my job at the nursery. Don’t make big troubles for me.”
Jake kicked a rock, sending it spinning across the road. “Yah, okay. I’ll leave. I’ll go home and tell my mamm you’re spending the night in the house with Stephen. Then let’s see what she thinks of you, Miss Goody-Goody.”
Jake stalked off in a huff without bidding me farewell.
“I’m headed home, Stephen.” Mark’s gaze skimmed past me. “Unless you want me to stay for any reason.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Stephen said, “but you might as well get home and get some rest. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
Mark gathered up his reins and climbed into his buggy. I truly hoped he was courting Sadie on the sly, but I could keep their secret.
Stephen and I waited for several cars to cruise past us, and then we crossed the road with Heath tugging on his leash toward the nursery.
Stephen’s pace slowed. “Maybe I shouldn’t sleep in the main house tonight after all. I’m thinking of your reputation, Evie.”
I lagged behind him. “In that case, maybe I should just sleep in my cabin. Ralph
